The neighbor who was allegedly ogled over the fence by the Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect has been pictured.
Patricia Maressa, 65, was the subject of unwanted attention from alleged murderer Rex Heuermann, who used to peek at her over the fence when she and her husband first moved in the Massapequa Park, Long Island, neighborhood in the 1990s.
Her husband, former FDNY fire fighter Etienne Devilliers, 68, said that Heuermann used to make his wife feel uncomfortable during the summer months by staring at her and trying to start conversations while she sunbathed.
Speaking to DailyMail.com on Wednesday, Devillers, 65, explained he thought the architect was ‘maybe just being friendly.’
But eventually Devillers 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 alleged 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 he thought the architect was ‘maybe just being friendly’ but eventually told him to stop staring at his wife
Heuermann has been charged with the murders of three of 10 women found on Gilgo Beach in Long Island
On the conversation that followed, he said: ‘It was unpleasant, he complied.
‘He stopped, didn’t argue with me.’
Devillers said Heuermann would casually mention his weight, 200lbs, and height, 6’4, during conversations.
‘The guy was odd and strange but never violent,’ the neighbor added. ‘We spoke everyday almost. 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 cop Friday morning asking them to move their cars as they searched the suspect’s home.
Heuermann often spoke about his taste for guns, and once mentioned 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 charged with killing victims Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman and Amber Costello, whose bodies were found in 2010.
Police however say they are ‘confident’ they will soon charge him with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barners.
Days after his arrest cops were seen on Sunday morning carrying out at least four long-barreled firearms from Heuermann’s ‘dungeon’-like Massapequa home as well as several blue plastic boxes with weapons in them.
Stunned neighbors of the suspected murderer said they feel like they are living ‘in a true crime documentary‘ as large crowds have flocked to the sleepy street.
The white fence that divides the two homes can be seen above
Heuermann has been charged with murdering Megan Waterman (right) and Melissa Barthelemy
He is also charged with Amber Costello’s killing (left). Police however say they are ‘confident’ they will soon charge him with the murder of Maureen Brainard-Barners (left)
In addition to his cluttered home, Heuermann kept two storage units in Amityville. They were searched 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 over fears that the suspected murderer could strike again.
Cops had Heuermann under surveillance since last year, and had planned to continue to follow him as they built their case, but decided to swoop 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 that Heuermann ‘continued to patronize sex workers,’ was using false IDs and burner phones, and had permits for an astonishing 92 firearms.
‘Which of course made us very nervous,’ said Tierney, who has led a secret investigative task force focused on Heuermann since the spring of 2022.
