Creepy Encounters Turn Sinister as Retired Firefighter Learns Neighbor is Prime Suspect in Long Island Serial Killings

Imagine discovering that your neighbor for almost 30 years is the prime suspect in a string of serial killings.

That’s exactly what happened to Etienne de Villiers, a retired New York City firefighter, and his wife Patricia.

They lived next to Rex Heuermann, who is accused of murdering six women over a span of nearly two decades.

Etienne, affectionately known as “Frenchy” at his firehouse, and Patricia moved into their home on First Avenue in Massapequa Park in 1995.

From the beginning, they found Heuermann to be creepy but seemingly harmless.

Heuermann’s towering figure and awkward attempts at small talk, especially with Patricia when Etienne was away, made the couple uneasy.

Patricia often felt nervous around Heuermann, particularly when he would peek over the fence and stare at her while she sunbathed.

His constant efforts to start conversations, despite being asked to stop, were unsettling.

Etienne confronted Heuermann, demanding he cease his behavior.

Surprisingly, Heuermann complied without resistance, agreeing to back off immediately.

Despite the uncomfortable incidents, Heuermann never showed signs of violence.

Etienne recalls brief, friendly interactions, mostly limited to casual greetings when heading to his car.

Heuermann often mentioned his size and gun collection, which seemed out of place considering the rundown state of his home, especially since he was an architect.

Most neighbors avoided Heuermann, but Etienne was one of the few who spoke to him regularly.

Others described Heuermann as a quiet family man who spent time tinkering in his garage.

However, Etienne noticed that Heuermann’s friends seemed out of place in their tidy neighborhood.

Etienne was stunned when he learned about Heuermann’s alleged crimes.

Police approached him early one morning, asking him to move his cars.

Later, he discovered that Heuermann was the prime suspect in the Gilgo Beach murders.

Despite their years of neighborly interactions, the news was shocking.

Reflections and Regrets

Etienne reflected on the stark contrast between his life’s work as a firefighter, saving lives, and Heuermann’s alleged actions, which destroyed families.

He felt sorry for Heuermann’s wife and son, who were also blindsided by the accusations.

The community’s disbelief was palpable, as many struggled to reconcile the friendly neighbor with the suspected serial killer.

A Grim Reality

The investigation revealed gruesome details, including a document on Heuermann’s computer outlining methods to prevent bodies from being identified.

The discovery of more victims and additional charges only deepened the horror.

For Etienne, the realization that his neighbor might have been capable of such atrocities was both terrifying and saddening.

Moving Forward

As the legal proceedings continue, Etienne and his neighbors are left to grapple with the unsettling reality of living next to a man accused of such heinous crimes.

The contrast between Etienne’s dedication to saving lives and Heuermann’s alleged destruction of them serves as a stark reminder of the darkness that can sometimes lie hidden in plain sight.

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