Gilgo Beach Suspect's Family To Make $1M From NBC Doc: Report

LONG ISLAND, NY — The family of accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann will earn $1 million from filming a documentary or docu-series about the case for NBC, according to a NewsNation report.

Asa Ellerup, Heuermann's estranged wife who filed for divorce within weeks of his July arrest, is currently filming the documentary for Peacock/NBC, the report said. Two unidentified sources confirmed to NewsNation that Ellerup and her two children, Victoria and Christopher, will receive at least $1 million for participating in the film.

“They will be filmed throughout the trial and after the trial’s outcome,” one source told NewsNation. “The family will tell their entire story and everything about their life (with Heuermann) exclusively to the (documentary filmmakers).”

Bob Macedonio, attorney for Ellerup, told Patch: "NBC Universal is working with Texas Crew Productions and G-Unit on a documentary about the Gilgo Beach murders."

Macedonio could not confirm whether or not his client was involved or any potential payment amount. He did say that a film crew was at Heuermann's court date this week, which Ellerup attended.

Ellerup caused a stir when she showed up at the courthouse with buzz about the film crew many said they saw with her. At the time, her attorney's office said that was untrue, and that an associate from the firm was filming, but Macedonio confirmed that a crew, as well as one of his staffers, was filming.

After the court appearance, Ellerup kept her head down and declined to answer questions.

Michael Brown, Heuermann's attorney, addressed the media after the court appearance. When asked about Ellerup — Heuermann did appear to glance back once, upon entering, toward the courtroom – Brown said he didn't know if he actually saw her. "He's appreciative that she's here, they were married for so many years, and they raised a family together. My understanding is she doesn't believe he committed these acts or is capable of committing these acts. So he certainly appreciates that support."

Ginenne Pugliese, an associate at the office of Ellerup's attorney Bob Macedonio, said there was "no comment" to those statements by Brown.

Of Ellerup's visit, Brown said, "I think it's great. You have to remember that Rex is in a section of the jail, that's really isolation. Other than the correction officers and myself, he hasn't really had any interaction with anyone. So the fact that his wife, his family member was able to see him, and they talked, that was important. He indicated that he was happy to see her."

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Heuermann was arrested on July 14 in connection with the deaths of three of the Gilgo Four, all women who worked in the sex trade and whose bodies were found buried at Gilgo Beach along Ocean Parkway in 2010. The women included Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello.

He is also the primary suspect in the death of the fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

Heuermann, of Massapequa Park, was indicted earlier in July on three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder in the deaths of Barthelemy, Waterman and Costello.

Heuermann has also been linked to two other women, including Shannan Gilbert, whose disappearance led to the finding of 11 sets of remains, according to attorney John Ray. Some of the remains included an Asian male and a toddler.

He has also been linked to Karen Vergata, whose remains were found at Davis Park on Fire Island.

Heuermann is next slated to appear in court on Feb. 6.