{"id":2292,"date":"2026-06-17T17:09:07","date_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:09:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=2292"},"modified":"2026-06-17T17:09:07","modified_gmt":"2026-06-17T17:09:07","slug":"happy-face-killer-warns-gilgo-beach-killer-rex-heuermann-could-be-tossed-to-the-wolves-in-prison","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metrotransitreview.com\/?p=2292","title":{"rendered":"‘Happy Face’ killer warns Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann could be ‘tossed to the wolves’ in prison"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

RIVERHEAD, N.Y. \u2014 Keith Jesperson, the\u00a0\u201cHappy Face\u201d serial killer\u00a0who has been trading prison letters with Gilgo Beach killer Rex Heuermann, is warning that the hulking former architect could face a reality check when he\u2019s shipped upstate this month.<\/p>\n

Read more Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann\u2019s three chilling words before disgusted judge issues sentence<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe problem with Rex is his size \u2014 he thinks prison will be a cake walk because of how big his ego is,\u201d Jesperson, 71, wrote in a text message to podcaster Keith Rovere. \u201c[I] had to tell him the little guys work out too, to beat up us big guys. He will have some fights, even in protective custody.\u201d<\/p>\n

The message was shared with Fox News Digital. In it, Jesperson warned that Heuermann, 62, might even be \u201ctossed to the wolves\u201d by prison guards at some point.<\/p>\n

\u201cKeith is almost 7 feet tall, and he took a couple beatings,\u201d Rovere told Fox News Digital Thursday. \u201cIt\u2019s a numbers game in prison, no matter how big you are.\u201d<\/p>\n

Heuermann remains in custody at the Suffolk County Jail in Riverhead, New York. <\/p>\n

He will be\u00a0moved to a state prison\u00a0after his formal sentencing on June 17.<\/p>\n

When asked if he thinks Heuermann may have more victims, Jesperson, who admitted to killing eight himself, declined to answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat l think isn\u2019t important,\u201d he wrote in a message to Fox News Digital. \u201cWe just have to wait and see on the 17th.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dubbed the \u201cHappy Face Killer\u201d for drawings he included in letters to the media, Jesperson said he\u2019d rekindled a correspondence with Heuermann after the latter\u00a0pleaded guilty, something Jesperson had urged him to do for years.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe basically has told me thank you for letting him know about the process in the system dealing with [serial killer] cases,\u201d Jesperson told Fox News Digital.<\/p>\n

Writing from a prison in Oregon, Jesperson said Heuermann would\u2019ve had nothing to gain by taking his case to trial given the evidence against him \u2014 which includes transferred hair DNA from\u00a0his then-wife and daughter\u00a0on some of the victims.<\/p>\n

Heuermann\u2019s ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, said through her attorney Thursday that she would not be attending his sentencing.<\/p>\n

\u201cMs. Ellerup believes this day should be centered on the victims, their families, and the profound impact these crimes have had on their lives,\u201d her attorney, Bob Macedonio, told Fox News Digital. \u201cOut of respect for those who have endured unimaginable loss and suffering, she does not wish her presence to distract from the purpose of these proceedings. Her thoughts remain with the victims and their loved ones as they continue their pursuit of justice, healing, and closure.\u201d<\/p>\n

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney has said investigators do not believe the family was involved in Heuermann\u2019s crimes.<\/p>\n

\u201cProbably why he pleaded guilty and avoid the\u00a0trials,\u201d Jesperson wrote. \u201cTold him nothing to gain in the trials and everything to lose. Suggested him not to make a statement to the court at sentencing; however, his lawyers might be pushing him to.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stay up to date on the Gilgo Beach murders:<\/h2>\n