The neighbor who was allegedly ogled over the fence by the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer has been photographed.
Patricia Maressa, 65, was the subject of unwanted attention from alleged murderer Rex Heuermann, who used to watch her over the fence when she and her husband first moved to the Massapequa Park, Long Island neighborhood in the 1990s.
Her husband, former FDNY firefighter Etienne Devilliers, 68, said Heuermann used to make his wife uncomfortable during the summer months by staring at her and trying to strike up conversations while she was sunbathing.
Speaking to DailyMail.com on Wednesday, Devillers, 65, explained that he thought the architect was “maybe just being friendly”.
But Devillers eventually decided to confront his neighbor, who is now accused of being behind three of the 10 bodies found on the shores of Gilgo Beach.
Rex Heuermann’s next-door neighbor, Etienne Devillers, claims that suspected murderer Rex Heuermann, 59, peeked over the fence to look at his 65-year-old wife Patricia Maressa.
Devillers, pictured outside his home on Wednesday, explained that he thought the architect “maybe he was just being friendly” but eventually told him to stop looking at his wife.
Heuermann has been charged with the murders of three of the 10 women found at Gilgo Beach on Long Island.
Of the ensuing conversation, he said: ‘It was nasty, he delivered.
He stopped, he didn’t argue with me.
Devillers said Heuermann would casually mention his weight, 200 pounds, and his height, 6’4, during conversations.
“The guy was weird and weird, but never violent,” the neighbor added. We talk almost every day. He was always kind and respectful. I was surprised by the violence.
‘I really feel bad for the children.’
He and his wife were woken up by a police officer Friday morning and asked to move their cars while they searched the suspect’s home.
Heuermann often spoke of his love of guns, once mentioning that he had a safe door to “protect his guns.”
Heuermann, who ran RH Consultants & Associates in Manhattan, was arrested outside his office last Thursday night.
The married father of two is accused of killing victims Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose bodies were found in 2010.
However, police say they are “sure” he will soon be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barners.
Days after his arrest, police officers were seen Sunday morning removing at least four long-barreled firearms from Heuermann’s “dungeon-like” Massapequa home, as well as several blue plastic crates with guns in them.
The stunned neighbors of the alleged killer said they felt like they were living “in a true crime documentary” as huge crowds gathered on the sleepy street.
The white fence that divides the two houses can be seen above.
Heuermann has been accused of murdering Megan Waterman (right) and Melissa Barthelemy
He is also charged with the murder of Amber Costello (left). However, police say he is “sure” he will soon be charged with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barners (left)
In addition to his cluttered home, Heuermann had two storage units in Amityville. They were wanted yesterday and today.
They have described the suspected serial killer as a quiet family man, who could often be seen tinkering in his garage while keeping to himself.
Investigators revealed Friday that they moved to arrest Heuermann out of fear the suspected killer could strike again.
Cops had had Heuermann under surveillance since last year and had planned to tail him as they built their case, but decided to step in and make the arrest in the interest of “public safety,” Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney told reporters.
Tierney cited a number of red flags, saying Heuermann “continued to patronize sex workers,” was using fake IDs and disposable phones, and had permits for a staggering 92 firearms.
“Which of course made us very nervous,” said Tierney, who has led a secret investigative task force focused on Heuermann since spring 2022.
