Who is Elizabeth Ryan?
Elizabeth Ryan is a US citizen who recently gained notoriety for being the first wife of architect Rex Heuermann, who was arrested in July 2023 for murdering four people in Gilgo Beach, New York. Heuermann and Ryan were married in 1990, according to a wedding notice from St. Peter’s Church in New Brunswick, New Jersey
How did Elizabeth Ryan meet Rex Heuermann?
There is not much information available about how Ryan and Heuermann met or what their relationship was like. However, according to the New York Post, Heuermann was only 26 years old when he married Ryan, while he was 59 when he was arrested for the killings. The couple had two children together, a son and a daughter, who are now in their 20s and 30s.
When did Elizabeth Ryan divorce Rex Heuermann?
Ryan and Heuermann divorced in 2005, after 15 years of marriage. The reason for their separation is unknown, but it may have been related to Heuermann’s alleged involvement in the Gilgo Beach murders, which took place between 2007 and 2010. Heuermann remarried in 2007 to Asa Ellerup, a Swedish-born interior designer who worked with him at his architecture firm, RH Architecture.
What is Elizabeth Ryan’s reaction to Rex Heuermann’s arrest?
Ryan has not commented publicly on Heuermann’s arrest or his alleged connection to the Gilgo Beach serial murders. She may have been unaware of his activities or may have been in shock or disbelief. She may also have been concerned about the safety and well-being of her children, who may have been traumatized by the news of their father’s crimes.
What are the Gilgo Beach serial murders?
The Gilgo Beach serial murders are a series of unsolved homicides that occurred on Long Island, New York, between 1996 and 2013. The victims were mostly young women who worked as prostitutes or escorts, and their bodies were found along the Ocean Parkway near Gilgo State Park. The police have identified 10 victims so far, but they suspect that there may be more. The killer has been dubbed the “Long Island Serial Killer” or the “Craigslist Ripper” by the media.
How was Rex Heuermann linked to the Gilgo Beach serial murders?
Rex Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023, and charged with the murders of three of the victims, known as “The Gilgo Four”. They are Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Costello, who all disappeared between 2007 and 2010. Heuermann was linked to the murders by DNA evidence, phone records, and online activity. He allegedly contacted the victims through Craigslist and arranged to meet them at hotels or motels, where he killed them and dumped their bodies along the parkway. He also reportedly taunted some of the victims’ families with phone calls and texts, using a disposable cell phone.
What is Rex Heuermann’s motive for the Gilgo Beach serial murders?
Rex Heuermann’s motive for the Gilgo Beach serial murders is unclear, but some experts have speculated that he may have been driven by a combination of sexual deviance, anger, and control. According to the New York Times, forensic profilers and serial killer experts described the killer as an educated, professional white male with a family living on the South Shore of Long Island, who could blend in with society and charm his victims. They also suggested that he may have had a seasonal pattern to his killings, as he only struck when his wife or children were away for the summer. Heuermann’s bail application revealed that his wife was in Maryland, New Jersey, and Iceland around the time three of the women vanished.
What is the current status of Rex Heuermann’s case?
Rex Heuermann has pled not guilty to three counts of first-degree murder and three counts of second-degree murder. He is being held without bail at the Suffolk County Jail, awaiting trial. He faces life in prison without parole if convicted. He has not been charged with the other seven murders, but the investigation is ongoing. Heuermann’s lawyer has claimed that he is innocent and that the evidence against him is weak and circumstantial. Heuermann’s family has also expressed their support for him and their shock at the allegations.