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Rex Heuermann's Home Hasn't Been "Ruled Out" as Crime Scene, Prosecutors Say
Suspect Rex Heuermann remains in custody as investigators continue to search his Long Island home and other properties.
The Suffolk County District Attorney shared a new update on the investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, confirming that authorities have uncovered a myriad of items in the home of suspect Rex Heuermann.
On Tuesday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney spoke in a press conference in which he stated that crime scene investigators are nearing the end of their search of the Massapequa, New York property where Heuermann lived with his wife, daughter and stepson. He described the property as being "cluttered."
RELATED: Excavator Seen Digging in Backyard of Man Charged in Gilgo Beach Killings
Though Tierney declined to share the specifics of what has been uncovered thus far, he stated that ground penetrating radars detected several "disturbances" in Heuermann's Long Island backyard, which prompted them to excavate on the property. Though the potential disturbances could've been caused by something as insignificant as a tree branch, Tierney said that "quite a lot" of evidence from inside and outside the home has been sent for testing.
"There was nothing of note that was taken from the backyard as far as remains," Tierney continued. "There is a whole entire trace analysis that we have to go through with the house with regard to hair fibers, DNA, blood, which we'll have to await the results on."
When questioned about the home potentially being a crime scene, Tierney said, "We haven't ruled in or ruled out anything."
RELATED: Wife of Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect Rex Heuermann Files for Divorce, Attorney Says
D.A. addresses rumors of sound-proof vault
Tierney additionally confirmed that "there were quite a few weapons found in the house" following reports that there were more than 200 hundred guns found in an underground vault of the home. When reporters pressed for details about the vault, he described it as being a "large enough space for people to enter."
Regarding the reactions of the investigators to the crime scene, Tierney said, "I think that we have a job to do, we're also human beings, but I would commend all of the investigators for their professionalism."
Meanwhile, investigators in other states, including Nevada, South Carolina, and New Jersey, have stated that they're looking into possible connections to the Gilgo Beach murders. According to ABC7 News, Heuermann owned a timeshare in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Last week, a tearful Heuermann pleaded not guilty in the murders of three women — Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman. He is the prime suspect in the death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four of the women, dubbed the Gilgo Four, were found buried along a stretch of Ocean Parkway in Suffolk County during a search for sex worker Shannan Gilbert in 2010.
Rex Heuermann's wife files for divorce
Heuermann's wife, Asa Ellerup, has filed for divorce, according to the law firm Macedonio and Duncan.
RELATED: Gilgo Beach Murder Suspect Rex Heuermann "Traumatized" After Arrest, His Lawyer Says
“The sensitive nature of her husband’s arrest is taking an emotional toll on the immediate and extended family, especially their elderly family members,” said a statement from the firm on behalf of Ellerup and her family, which was obtained by CNN. “Ms. Ellerup does not wish to comment further and has requested the public and press to please respect the family’s privacy at this time.”
While Ellerup's hairs were found on the murder victims, she was out of town on vacation at the time of the murders, according to a bail application obtained by Oxygen.com.
