New York lawmakers recently filed legislation to stop defendants’ family members from profiting from their crimes amid reports that the suspected Long Island Serial Killer’s estranged wife was paid for an upcoming docuseries.
Film crews reportedly followed Asa Ellerup to Rex Heuermann’s latest court appearance. A Peacock spokesperson told WCBS that Ellerup was not compensated for her participation in the docuseries — but she was “paid a licensing fee for use of her archive materials.”
In July, police arrested Heuermann in Manhattan for the 2009 and 2010 murders of three women at Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Heuermann is charged with the murders of Melissa Barthelemy, 24; Megan Waterman, 22; and Amber Lynn Costello, 27.
He is the prime suspect in the death of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes. All four women were reportedly wrapped in burlap and buried next to each other on Gilgo Beach.
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According to the Daily Mail, crews will film Heurermann’s family throughout his upcoming trial, which is scheduled to begin next year. The outlet reported that Ellerup was paid $1 million for her participation.
In light of the purported deal, two bills are pending in New York to amend the “Son of Sam” laws which bar defendants from profiting from their crimes. The bills would prevent relatives of defendants from doing the same.
“The amount of money that’s being thrown here while victims’ families get nothing is just horrible. They’re just exploiting their pain for profit,” state Sen. Kevin Thomas told WCBS.
Meanwhile, Peacock told the news outlet that it asked the victims’ families to participate in their upcoming docuseries, and they either declined or did not respond. It is unclear when the docuseries is set to air.
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