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Serial Killer Suspect Rex Heuermann to Appear in Court
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A Suffolk County judge could rule on prosecutors’ request to transfer dozens of weapons back to Nassau County — a move opposed by Heuermann’s attorneys, who want them given back to his family.

Rex Heuermann, the accused Long Island serial killer, is due in court on Wednesday for a pre-trial conference.

Heuermann, 59, is charged in the deaths of three of the so-called “Gilgo 4” — four women found dead and wrapped in burlap along Gilgo Beach in 2010. He is the prime suspect in the death of the fourth.

The Manhattan architect, who lives on Long Island just a few miles from Gilgo Beach, was arrested in July after police linked him to the killings by comparing DNA found at the scene with DNA from a pizza crush Heuermann discarded.

The Suffolk County judge on Wednesday could rule on prosecutors’ motion to have Heuermann’s 280+ guns — seized by Suffolk County — transferred back to Nassau County, WABC reported. The weapons were found during an extensive search of his Massapequa Park home after his arrest, and many of them are collectibles from the Civil War and both world wars, as CrimeOnline has reported.

Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup, wants the weapons returned to her — according to her attorney so they can be sold and provide income for her and her children.

“It is just a matter of dividing up assets, that’s anything from jewelry, to cars, to the house, to the gun collection,” Robert Macedonio said. “I understand the optics of returning firearms to the home of an alleged serial killer, so it would be my suggestion if they can be given to a licensed firearm dealer.”

Ellerup, who filed for divorce after Heuermann’s arrest, will file a “notice of claim” to property seized from the house once it’s returned to Nassau County.

Heuermann’s attorneys have filed a motion in opposition to the return of the weapons to Nassau County, arguing instead in favor of their return to his family, Newsday reported.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to six counts of murder in the deaths of  Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27. Police say they expect to charge him for the murder of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes as well but have not yet done so.

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[Featured image: Rex A. Heuermann, the architect accused of murdering at least three women near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach, appears before Judge Timothy P. Mazzei in Suffolk County Court, Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023, in Riverhead, N.Y. (James Carbone/Newsday via AP, Pool)]