NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: A source claimed that the family of alleged Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann will receive an astounding seven-figure sum for a documentary about the graphic killings of sex workers.
Peacock is producing a documentary series that will track the family of suspected serial killer Heuermann as they adjust to his impending trial and their devastated life, per Deadline.
Heuermann's wife Asa Ellerup and her adult children Christopher and Victoria will get at least $1 million for the NBC/Peacock documentary that will follow the family during the suspected killer's trial, NewsNation reported.
Peacock apparently purchased life rights of Rex Heuermann's family
Heuermann's alleged crimes have apparently left his estranged wife Ellerup and their two adult children, Christopher and Victoria, suffering a "bleak existence," leading them to reportedly sell their life rights to the streaming platform in order to pay bills.
The three are currently filming the docuseries, which will follow them while Heuermann is on trial for the killings of three prostitutes, per sources who spoke with NewsNation.
"They will be filmed throughout the trial and after the trial’s outcome," an insider stated. "The family will tell their entire story and everything about their life (with Heuermann) exclusively to the (documentary filmmakers)."
"There’s a reason why she hasn’t talked to the media at all because she has signed a major deal with the documentary crew," senior story editor Paula Froelich of NewsNation informed Nichole Berlie of NewsNation Live.
Film crews were spotted following the family to Heuermann's indictment hearing; the accused murderer will stay in jail pending his undetermined trial.
Heuermann will go on trial for the 2010–2011 killings of Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, whose remains were discovered on Long Island, New York's Gilgo Beach.
He is also the prime suspect in the death of 25-year-old Maureen Brainard-Barnes, whose bones were discovered along the same stretch of beach more than ten years ago, together with at least six other sets of remains.
Family lawyers also expected to receive six-figure payouts for Peacock documentary
The family's attorneys, who will apparently receive a substantial fee for their services, are also expected to participate in the television show concerning the murders and the events that followed Heuermann's apprehension.
Ellerup's attorney Robert Macedonio is expected to make $400,000 for his work, and Vess Mitev, who represents children Victoria and Christopher, is reported to have made a $200,000 agreement.
Macedonio revealed to the New York Post that Ellerup and her children are participating in a Gilgo Beach documentary that NBCUniversal is producing in association with Texas Crew Productions and rapper 50 Cent's G-Unit production firm.
However, she would not divulge the cost of the project. Mitev, likewise, chose not to respond.
Internet outraged at Peacock's hefty payout to Rex Heuermann's family
Following the news of Heuermann's family receiving at least $1 million for a docuseries about the killer's life, several people took to X (formerly Twitter) to express their outrage over the "disgusting" news.
One person made a post about it, writing, "Hey @peacock Where are the offers for the families of victims of #TheLongIslandSerialKiller #LISK ??"
The person further asked, "Where is an empathetic approach for them to share their experiences with the following: - sheer anxiety over a missing loved one for days, weeks, months, years, decades?....the disgust watching you all in the media profit from it?"
Another person summarized the news and gave their views on it, writing, "I am disgusted by this; re-victimization of the family is not right. ANY MONEY SHOULD GO TO THE VICTIMS FAMILIES. @peacock @nbc you guys should be ashamed of yourself."
A comment on this post echoed the sentiment, claiming, "I said the same thing this morning about the money should go to the victims families."
"I believe the wife, Asa, had knowledge of her husband's SICK life!!!!!" slammed another commenter.
A third comment said, "There needs to be another way to do this where they can still make money & move on with their lives & help victims families. I don’t think that lies with MSM."
The same person suggested, "There needs to be a foundation / charity that makes the products (documentaries, books etc) that can then be spread out."
One more said, "Absolutely disgusting, shame on Peacock/NBC. This all answer my question why she would want to go to all the court hearings. Peacock/NBC should do a docu- series on the real victims and families."
"The victims will be forgotten and the sensationalism of the crimes will be the focus. Perhaps this is why she is attending his hearings and visiting him. How f**kg low can you go. It is a turnoff..what are we becoming? Thank you for your statement. It horrible," another enraged X user wrote.
Another one added, "Honestly his wife and children should be the ones to be disgusted with IMO. They signed up for this and are profiting off of other people’s tragedies and horror. Such poor taste considering he is the father/husband that allegedly did it and they get to make money from it."
