Reactions to Gilgo Beach serial killings suspect Rex Heuermann
Neighbors of the New York City architect arrested in connection with the grisly “Gilgo Four” murders say the Long Island resident seemed “regular” — and admitted they had “chills” thinking the suspect had been nearby for so long.
“I’ve seen him. He looks regular, like an everyday guy. I’ve seen him when I take my wife to the train — he takes the train to his office in the city,” Barry Auslander, 72, told The Post of Rex Heuermann, 59, who was taken into custody at his home on 1st Avenue in Massapequa Park early Friday.
“He seemed like a regular neighbor,” Auslander, who lives down the block, insisted.
“He grew up here. I never thought he was anything but a businessman. Average guy who had a family and went to work.”
Shortly before 9:30 a.m., at least eight investigators dressed in forensic gear were still milling around Heuermann’s house on the quiet suburban street.
Heuermann — who is believed to have been married with two children — worked as an architect at his eponymous firm in Manhattan.
“He’s an architect but has real estate interests. And the first review I saw said ‘If you’re going to hire him, be very careful, it’s a genuine risk,’” Auslander said.
Another neighbor, who asked not to be named, was still trying to process the news of Heuermann’s arrest.
“You don’t expect something like this to happen in a town like Massapequa. This is as suburban as it gets,” he told The Post.
“It’s a little scary. It can be anywhere. It could be your neighbor and you would never know,” Cheryl Lombardi, who has lived down the street from Heuermann’s address since 1989, agreed.
“I never seen anyone come out that house. My daughter called me and told me to come out here and see what was going on,” she said, referring to Heuermann’s disheveled, red-painted home.
“We’ve walked past it for years and I always ask myself when is someone going to fix up that house.”
One woman, who said she has been in the neighborhood for 34 years, did not want to share her name but admitted that she was shaken by Heuermann’s possible connection to the infamous killings.
“We could’ve been in the grocery with him and just never know. I’m getting chills,” she said.
“My husband has seen him before sitting on his step. It’s a quiet neighborhood so it’s just surprising.
“All the victims families are living through it again. That’s who I feel bad for,” she continued.
“It kind of makes sense — hot shot city guy. He has money. I’m not surprised.”