DNA Match Links Murder Suspect's Wife to Crime Scene, Lawyers Offer Differing Views on Significance
Dec 04, 2023, 11:00 AM
DNA evidence has taken center stage in the ongoing murder case against Rex Heuermann, the prime suspect in the deaths of three women near Gilgo Beach in 2010. A recent development reveals that a cheek swab taken from Heuermann's estranged wife, Asa Ellerup, matches the DNA found on the burlap that was used to wrap the victims' bodies, according to sources close to the investigation.
Asa Ellerup's DNA sample was collected on July 13, the same day her husband was arrested and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. This revelation has raised questions about the potential implications of her DNA being found at the crime scene.
Ellerup's lawyer, Robert Macedonio, downplayed the significance of the DNA match, suggesting it could be the result of a "hair transfer inside the house." He emphasized that Ellerup has not been accused of any involvement in the alleged murders and was out of the country when each of the crimes is believed to have taken place.
Meanwhile, experts have noted that Rex Heuermann's hair was also found under Megan Waterman's body. This hair contained mitochondrial DNA, which could provide additional genetic clues. However, Heuermann's lawyer, Michael J. Brown, has asserted that mitochondrial DNA does not directly identify a suspect, as it could potentially match thousands of individuals in the area.
"There is nobody on the face of this Earth, that is credible, who is going to say the hair is from my client," Brown stated. "That is impossible under science standards. What they can do is say potentially he [Heuermann] is a donor. But so could thousands and thousands of other persons in our area."
Suffolk prosecutors have previously indicated that Heuermann's DNA matched samples found on a discarded pizza box near his Manhattan office. This match is among the evidence linking him to the murders of the three women.
Rex Heuermann, a 60-year-old man, has been accused of killing the three women and dumping their bodies along Gilgo Beach in December 2010. Additionally, he is considered a prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. Police have relied on various sources of evidence, including cellphone records, witness accounts, and DNA analysis, to establish these connections.
Notably, Asa Ellerup filed for divorce following her husband's arrest, indicating a strained relationship in the wake of the murder charges against him. The recent revelation of her DNA matching evidence at the crime scene adds another layer of complexity to a case that has garnered significant attention over the years.
The question of how significant this DNA match will prove to be in court remains uncertain. As legal proceedings continue, both sides are likely to scrutinize the DNA evidence, attempting to establish its relevance and reliability. This development raises new questions in a case that has already spanned more than a decade, leaving the public and legal experts eager to see how it will ultimately unfold.
Asa Ellerup's DNA sample was collected on July 13, the same day her husband was arrested and charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. This revelation has raised questions about the potential implications of her DNA being found at the crime scene.
Ellerup's lawyer, Robert Macedonio, downplayed the significance of the DNA match, suggesting it could be the result of a "hair transfer inside the house." He emphasized that Ellerup has not been accused of any involvement in the alleged murders and was out of the country when each of the crimes is believed to have taken place.
Meanwhile, experts have noted that Rex Heuermann's hair was also found under Megan Waterman's body. This hair contained mitochondrial DNA, which could provide additional genetic clues. However, Heuermann's lawyer, Michael J. Brown, has asserted that mitochondrial DNA does not directly identify a suspect, as it could potentially match thousands of individuals in the area.
"There is nobody on the face of this Earth, that is credible, who is going to say the hair is from my client," Brown stated. "That is impossible under science standards. What they can do is say potentially he [Heuermann] is a donor. But so could thousands and thousands of other persons in our area."
Suffolk prosecutors have previously indicated that Heuermann's DNA matched samples found on a discarded pizza box near his Manhattan office. This match is among the evidence linking him to the murders of the three women.
Rex Heuermann, a 60-year-old man, has been accused of killing the three women and dumping their bodies along Gilgo Beach in December 2010. Additionally, he is considered a prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25. Police have relied on various sources of evidence, including cellphone records, witness accounts, and DNA analysis, to establish these connections.
Notably, Asa Ellerup filed for divorce following her husband's arrest, indicating a strained relationship in the wake of the murder charges against him. The recent revelation of her DNA matching evidence at the crime scene adds another layer of complexity to a case that has garnered significant attention over the years.
The question of how significant this DNA match will prove to be in court remains uncertain. As legal proceedings continue, both sides are likely to scrutinize the DNA evidence, attempting to establish its relevance and reliability. This development raises new questions in a case that has already spanned more than a decade, leaving the public and legal experts eager to see how it will ultimately unfold.
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The latest on Catching the Long Island Serial Killer, Awaiting Admission: BTK’s Unconfessed Crimes, Delphi Murders: Inside the Crime, Chad & Lori Daybell, The Murder of Ana Walshe, Alex Murdaugh, Bryan Kohberger, Lucy Letby, Kouri Richins, Malevolent Mormon Mommys, Justice for Harmony Montgomery, The Murder of Stephen Smith, The Murder of Madeline Kingsbury, and much more! Listen at https://www.truecrimetodaypod.com