Neighbors of accused Gilgo serial killer say they've had anxiety, problems sleeping

Psychologist Stephen Taylor says he recommends leaning on one another during times filled with fear.

Joe Arena

Jul 19, 2023, 2:15 AM

Updated 454 days ago

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Neighbors of the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer says their initial shocker from the arrest has now turned into anxiety.
The search of Rex Heuermann's Massapequa Park home continues with no end in sight. Those who live nearby say it's something they are having to cope with.
Lori Garigiulo says she had a hard time sleeping the first night she realized an alleged serial killer was living in her neighborhood.
"I couldn't sleep, and it did help to talk to people about it," Garigiulo says.
Paul Correa, who raised his daughter just around the corner from Heuermann's home, says he has been feeling a lot of anxiety since police have camped out at the suspect's home.
"Everyone's in an uproar right now," Correa says. "I can't believe that this guy was in our neighborhood hiding out and it's been going on for over 10 years - it's insane."
WATCH: DOCUMENTARY AND BACKGROUND INFORMATION - Gilgo Beach: Unsolved
Psychologist Stephen Taylor says he recommends leaning on one another during times filled with fear.
"Anytime there's something that's traumatic in your immediate vicinity and your neighborhood, it brings it to you in a way that maybe you thought you were isolated," Taylor says.
Taylor says it's important for neighbors to put things into perspective. He says that people can't live in fear because what happened was "very specific" and "very rare."
He says the most important thing for people in the community to do is to check in with each other as the investigation in Massapequa Park continues.