Nassau County is investigating a cache of weapons seized from accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann’s New York home, after Suffolk prosecutors say police discovered that dozens of firearms were obtained illegally.
According to court documents filed Tuesday, over 40 firearms and 10 high-capacity magazines were seized from Heuermann’s Massapequa Park residence earlier this year, following his arrest for the murder of three women, Newsday reports.
“At least 26 unregistered handguns, 15 unregistered assault weapons, and 10 high-capacity magazines appear to have been possessed in the defendant’s home in violation of Penal Law Article 265,” Suffolk County Assistant District Attorney Lawrence Opisso wrote in the filing.
As CrimeOnline previously reported, police arrested Heuermann in July for the deaths of three of the “Gilgo Four” women. Their bodies were found within days of each other on Gilgo Beach in December 2010. All four women were buried in burlap sacks.
Heuermann has been charged with six counts of murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.
As part of the investigation, investigators seized 280 guns from Heuermann’s home, along with a “massive” amount of evidence, prosecutors said. The weapons have since been at the center of a legal battle between investigators and Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup, who wants the firearms returned.
Ellerup’s attorney, Robert Macedonio, previously said some of the guns are collectibles from the “Civil War and both World War I and World War II,” and could assist Ellerup and her adult children financially.
“It is just a matter of dividing up assets, that’s anything from jewelry, to cars, to the house, to the gun collection,” Macedonio previously told News 12. “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.”
In the Tuesday court filing, Opisso said that with Heuermann now charged with murder, his firearms license has been revoked.
“Initially, he has failed to demonstrate that he is legally entitled to the relief he seeks given the suspension of his pistol license by Nassau County,” court documents read.
Macedonio argued that Ellerup, who filed for divorce following Heuremann’s arrest, should at least have access to the jewelry, cash, and clothing removed during the home search. He told Newsday last month that he plans to file a “notice of claim” for the property.
“The county has no lawful right to any of it that’s not considered legal contraband,” he said.
Heuermann pleaded not guilty at his arraignment. He remains behind bars at the Suffolk County Correctional Facility without bail.
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[Feature Photo: Rex Heuermann/Suffolk County Sheriff’s Office via AP]
