LONG ISLAND, NEW YORK: A disturbing and unconventional gathering has taken place outside the home of accused Gilgo Beach killer, Rex Heuermann, creating an unsettling atmosphere. Large crowds have flocked to the normally quiet street, leaving the neighbors feeling as if they are living in a true crime documentary.
According to neighbors, Heuermann seemed like a reserved family man who would frequently work on projects in his garage and maintain a private lifestyle. However, some residents shared that the house where he lived with his wife and daughter was unsettling, with one person describing it as resembling a "dungeon" due to its run-down appearance.
Where does Rex Heuermann live?
Rex Heuermann reportedly resides in Massapequa Park in New York. However, specific details regarding his exact address are not publicly disclosed for privacy and safety reasons. Heuermann, 59, was arrested in midtown Manhattan, which is approximately an hour's drive away from his house.
Mackenzie Richards, a 29-year-old from Boston, brought her pet pig to be part of the unusual scene as many decided to flock to Heuermann's house. Mackenzie explains that she was on her way to visit her mother in New York when she learned about the killer's arrest, prompting her to join the unfolding events by heading to Heuermann's residence, eagerly seeking more information along the way, per Daily Mail. "Next thing you know, here we are," she said while dozens of other true crime enthusiasts flocked to the street around her.
Tara and Tom Spafford, long-term residents of the Massapequa Park neighborhood, shared that they had a consistent feeling of unease about the suspected serial killer's home. Having lived in the area for 45 years, they expressed that they had always perceived the house to be eerie and unsettling. "We are shocked that this happened," they added, emphasizing their surprise and disbelief. They also expressed concern about the impact of the gruesome killings on the reputation of their otherwise wholesome neighborhood.
'I have an adrenaline rush just watching all this'
While the news of the grisly killings caused distress among many, Tara Alonso, a resident of the neighborhood, expressed a different perspective influenced by the modern fascination with true crime. She described the scene as "so cool" and she went on to say, "I have an adrenaline rush just watching all this happening, never saw something like this before," she said.
Alonso, an employee at Whole Foods in Massapequa, shared an unusual encounter she had with Heuermann several months ago. According to her account, he allegedly stole oranges from the store's kid's club, an area where parents can leave their children while they shop. When confronted by the staff about the theft, she claims he retorted, "If I was wearing a suit like I wear most days, you wouldn't be talking to me like this." Alonso further mentioned that he then casually walked out of the store, holding five or six oranges in his hands, leaving the staff perplexed by his strange behavior.
'I wondered where he lives'
Michelina Lombardi, a real estate broker who specializes in selling homes in the neighborhood, expressed her disturbance over the realization that the alleged killer may have resided in the area for decades. She described the community as a close-knit one, where people come together to support each other, and she found it unfortunate that such an incident took place.
Her daughter, Angela Flaherty, 22, shared that the alleged killer appeared to be a normal father. She would often see him at school soccer matches, as his daughter was a few grades ahead of her in high school. However, Angela also acknowledged that his house had an eerie appearance, and she had frequently wondered about the identity of the infamous Gilgo Beach killer due to the proximity of the murders to her own home. She said, "It's really scary. As a local resident a lot of us would drive on the Ocean Parkway for fun and we always wondered if the Gilgo Beach serial killer was out there. I also wondered where he lives. There's a lot of little houses on Gilgo Beach and I always wondered if one of those little houses on the marsh was the serial killer's."
