Heuermann family therapist: 'They're accepting this and struggling like everyone else'
Alison Winter, therapist for the Heuermann family in Massapequa on Wednesday. Credit: Neil Miller
Rex Heuermann's daughter returned to her Massapequa Park home Wednesday afternoon after her father pleaded guilty in a Riverhead courtroom to seven murders and admitted an eighth killing.
Victoria Heuermann was joined by the family's therapist, who arrived to help pick up her brother Christopher and their dog, Stewie. Heuermann's ex-wife, Asa Ellerup, did not return home Wednesday afternoon.
The therapist, Alison Winter, said she has been counseling the family for nearly three years and still meets with Rex Heuermann at least once a week.
"They're good people. They're accepting this and struggling like everyone else," she said. "I think they've been ready for it. They're ok with this and trying to figure it out. They don't have a choice, but they're ok."
The children did not speak to reporters as they loaded some belongings into the trunk of their vehicle.
"They want to get away for a while and have some privacy," Winter said.
John Asbury is a breaking news and general assignment reporter. He has been with Newsday since 2014 and previously worked at The Press-Enterprise in Riverside, California.
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