Former NYPD detective Pat Brosnan believes that a judge would not refuse to swab the defendant’s cheek during the trial of the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer. Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s G-Unit Film & Television production company has announced that they will be producing a multipart documentary series that will follow Rex Heuermann’s wife, Asa Ellerup, as she navigates her husband’s upcoming criminal trial. The trial pertains to the Long Island deaths of Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, and Megan Waterman, whose bodies were discovered on Gilgo Beach in 2010.
Since Heuermann’s arrest, Ellerup has filed for divorce and has been actively involved in the legal proceedings. She attended Heuermann’s court appearances and has visited him in jail. Film crews have been seen around their family home in Massapequa Park, where Ellerup and their two adult children still reside. Ellerup’s attorney, Bob Macedonio, who also represents members of G-Unit, has not provided any comments at this time.
Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s production company, G-Unit, has confirmed their involvement in the documentary series. It has been reported that Ellerup’s children, Victoria Heuermann and Christopher Sheridan, will also be receiving payments for their participation. However, the exact amounts have not been confirmed. Heuermann’s attorneys are expected to receive significant payments as well.
Asa Ellerup has faced significant challenges since her husband’s arrest. She lost her health insurance after Heuermann’s architectural firm collapsed and was later diagnosed with cancer. Additionally, their family home was raided by the police, leaving it in a state of disrepair. In response, a fundraiser was launched to support the struggling family. While it is unclear how much Ellerup will be compensated for her participation in the documentary, it has been reported that Heuermann’s family will receive $1 million from the deal. However, a spokesperson for Peacock, the streaming platform that will air the series, has stated that Ellerup herself will not be paid for her participation but will receive a licensing fee for providing archival footage.
It is important to note that Ellerup will have no creative control over the project, and the funds received by her family cannot be used for Heuermann’s legal expenses. This is to ensure compliance with “Son of Sam” laws that prevent criminals from profiting from media depictions of their crimes. Texas Crew Productions and the New York Post are also involved in the production of the documentary.
The announcement of the documentary series has sparked outrage among some families connected to Heuermann’s case. Shannan Gilbert’s sister, Sherre, expressed her disappointment and frustration with the media’s willingness to exploit and re-victimize the families and victims of serial killers. Sherre and other family members of the victims had previously participated in other documentaries before Heuermann was identified as a suspect.
Frances Nicotra, co-executor of Shannan Gilbert’s estate, called the documentary and its associated payments offensive and outrageous. She emphasized that the primary motive for participating in earlier documentaries was seeking justice, not financial gain. John Ray, the attorney representing Gilbert’s family, described Ellerup’s involvement in the documentary as “reckless beyond words.” Rodney Harrison, the outgoing police commissioner of Suffolk County, criticized the documentary for its impact on the grieving family members.
The Peacock spokesperson stated that the families of the Gilgo Beach victims were contacted to participate in the documentary, but either declined or did not respond. The documentary series aims to shed light on the trial and the experiences of the families involved, but its announcement has raised ethical concerns and caused distress among the victims’ families.
In conclusion, the upcoming documentary series following the wife of the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer through his criminal trial has generated both interest and controversy. While the involvement of Curtis “50 Cent” Jackson’s production company has been confirmed, the exact details of the payments to the family members and attorneys remain unconfirmed. The documentary has faced criticism from families connected to the case, who believe it exploits and re-traumatizes the victims’ families. The series aims to provide insight into the trial and the experiences of those involved but has raised ethical questions about profiting from true crime stories.
