Gilgo Beach 'serial killer' Rex Heuermann's family is hit by shocking cannibalism allegation

A New York lawyer has shockingly claimed that Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann dabbled in cannibalism - and that his family was involved in his alleged crimes.

John Ray, who represents the family of Shannan Gilbert, whose remains led to the discovery of Heuermann's alleged victims, suggested on Thursday that the architect's relatives participated in the killings.

The attorney, who also represents other women who say they survived encounters with Heuermann, showed artwork he claimed was shared by Heuermann's daughter Victoria, 27, on Tumblr as 'circumstantial evidence.'

Ray claimed that one image that appears to show 'half eaten' remains proves Victoria was interested in cannibalism. 

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has repeatedly said that Heuermann's relatives are not suspects in the case and were out of town during each of the murders. Prosecutors have also never said cannibalism is involved in the killings. 

John Ray, who represents the family of Shannan Gilbert, suggested on Thursday that Rex Heuermann's relatives participated in the killings

'We are not talking about merely murder,' Ray said, without offering solid evidence about his claims.

'We’re talking about people who are involved and interested in torture, horrifying torture of the people that we know that are dead and many more that are to come.'

Ray claimed they show Victoria was 'brought up in this sickness.'

'When you take all of these things collectively, are you going to be able to reasonably say who knows if the mother really knew what was happening in the house? Who knows if Mr. Heuermann knew what was going on with his daughter?'

He added: 'It’s BDSM to the max,' he added. 'It’s demonic.'

Heuermann's estranged wife Asa Ellerup's lawyer Bob Macedonia said Ray's suggestions are 'reckless.' 

Heuermann, 60, is now accused of killing six women in total over a span of 30 years 

The attorney showed artwork he claimed was shared by Heuermann's daughter Victoria, 27, on Tumblr as 'circumstantial evidence'

Kerri Rawson, the daughter of BTK serial killer Dennis Rader and a victims' advocate, also slammed the attorney over his claims.

'John Ray is not credible at all. This is disgusting and I hope Asa and her children seek all legal recourse,' Rawson wrote.

'Victoria Heuermann was 13 at the most when the latest victim went missing that is tied to her father, Rex Heuermann. Who is to say that Rex didn’t use Victoria’s online accounts? Asa and her children are victims of Rex.'

Ray was accompanied by clinical and forensic psychologist Dr. Gary Brucato who specializes in serial killers, mass murders and sexual offenses.

The scandalous press conference comes a week after Heuermann, of Long Island, was indicted for the murders of 20-year-old Jessica Taylor in 2003 and 28-year-old Sandra Costilla in 1993.

Victoria and her mother Asa Ellerup in July 2023, after Heuermann was charged 

Search crews removing items from the basement of Rex Heuermann's home 

Charging documents say the alleged serial killer was linked to the new victims through DNA, thanks to male hair found on both of their remains. 

Heuermann, 60, is now accused of killing six women in total over a span of 30 years.

Prosecutors say they found 'planning documents' that Heuermann allegedly used to map out his killings in a hard drive found during the search.

Heuermann was arrested in July and initially charged with killing Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, and Amber Lynn Costello 27. 

In February, he was also charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25.

The women were found wrapped in burlap and buried along the remote stretch of Ocean Parkway on Long Island's South Shore over a decade ago.

Heuermann, an architect, has pleaded not guilty to all counts and currently remains in jail awaiting trial. A date for trial has not yet been set.

The first victim, 24-year-old Melissa Barthelemy, was discovered by Suffolk County Police on December 11, 2010. The body of Megan Waterman, 22, from Maine, was found two days later

Heuermann is also charged with killing Amber Costello (left) and  Maureen Brainard-Barnes (right) 

The Gilgo women's remains were discovered during the search for 23-year-old Shannan Gilbert, an escort from New Jersey who had vanished in May 2010 after making a frantic 911 call.

Her remains were found along the same stretch of coast in December 2011 - and it was her body that led police to the discovery of the 'Gilgo Four'.

No one has ever been charged in Gilbert's death and police said it may have been accidental - but her family believe she was murdered.

The women were among 11 found on the desolate stretch of coastline close to Heuermann's Long Island Home between 2010 and 2011.