LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: Rex Heuermann, a Manhattan-based architect, was arrested in connection with Gilgo Beach serial murders that took place between 2007 and 2010. As per court documents, he faces first degree charges for the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello, and Megan Waterman. The murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes is still under investigation and is likely to be linked to the 59-year-old. Barthelemy was killed in 2009 and Costello and Waterman were killed in 2010, as per authorities.

Heuermann’s attorney, Michael J Brown, told the press that his client maintains his innocence and has called the accusations ‘extremely circumstantial in nature.’ "The only thing he did say, as he was in tears, was 'I didn’t do this. He's distraught. He's clearly distraught about the charges here," said Brown.

Where is Asa Ellerup?

Asa Ellerup, the wife of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect Rex Heuermann, is not seen publicly since his arrest last week. The 59-year-old’s DNA was found on three of the four victims who were murdered between 2007 and 2010.

However, the investigators believe the hair were in the couple’s home or transferred from Heuermann’s clothing since Ellerup and her two children were out of the state at the time of the killing.

The remains of the "Gilgo Four" were recovered from bushes along a quarter-mile stretch of Ocean Parkway in 2010 in a two-day operation, as per Daily Mail.

'Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us'

New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Friday, July 14, “Yes, the day has finally come when someone so … depraved of heart who would kill individuals, innocent individuals in the prime of their lives, their young lives, is finally brought to justice." She further said, “We are hoping that this will bring justice to this individual but also peace to the families.”

Suffolk County police commissioner Rodney Harrison also strongly reacted to the arrest, “Rex Heuermann is a demon that walks among us. A predator that ruined families. If not for the members of this task force, he would still be on the streets today.”

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney on July 14 gave a press conference on Heuermann’s surprise arrest, “These young women went missing between July 2007 and September 2010. They were found in September 2010.” Tierney added, "We had the FBI surveilling the defendant, this individual that continued to patronize sex workers at all hours of the night, continued to use fictitious identities, burner phones, as we worked through the case and got closer and closer, suddenly the balance tips in favor of public safety."