Disturbing Discovery: The truth behind Rex Heuerma...

Disturbing Discovery: The truth behind Rex Heuermann’s therapist’s license has been exposed, leaving many asking how it went unnoticed

Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann’s longtime shrink practiced as a clinical social worker without a license for years — and is facing felony charges over tens of thousands of dollars in bogus insurance reimbursements.

Alison Winter, 52, who was Heuermann’s jailhouse therapist for nearly three years, had already been charged with three counts of grand larceny when she was present for his confession to his wife and daughter that he had murdered eight women, Newsday reported.

She was arrested in November, 2024 on the grand larceny charges as well as scheme to defraud and 14 counts of unauthorized practice of a profession for allegedly posing as a licensed social worker between 2018 and 2024, charging documents reveal.

Alison Winter in front of Rex Heuermann's house in Massapequa Park.

Alison Winter is facing felony charges over tens of thousands of dollars in bogus insurance reimbursements.James Messerschmidt for the NY Post

Rex Heuermann at his sentencing in Suffolk County Court.
Gilgo serial killer Rex Heuermann is sentenced before Judge Timothy Mazzei at Suffolk County Court in Riverhead, N.Y., on Wednesday, June 17, 2026.James Carbone/Pool Newsday via AP
Alison Winter and Victoria leaving the Heuermann home.
Alison Winter with Rex Heuermann’s daughter, Victoria, at their Massapequa home.James Messerschmidt for the NY Post

 

“Between November of 2018 and May [2024] — so about six years’ time — [Winter] did practice social work in the form of mental health counseling without a license,” Assistant District Attorney Cory Neunzig said at her arraignment in First District Court in Central Islip on Nov. 26, 2024, according to a transcript obtained by Newsday.

Collage of eight portrait photos of the Gilgo Beach murder victims: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata.
Victims Rex Heuermann is charged with killing: Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, Sandra Costilla, Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack, and Karen Vergata.Suffolk County Police Department

Heuermann was arrested on July 13, 2023.

Prosecutors said Winter received $60,000 in reimbursements, nearly $50,000 of which was billed to Cigna, despite not having a license to dispense therapy.

She also received reimbursements through Medicare and UnitedHealthcare.

Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney confirmed to the outlet that the charges were pending.

Victoria Winter, daughter of therapist Alison Winter, enters a vehicle, holding a water bottle and cell phone.
Alison Winter with Rex Heuermann’s daughter, Victoria.James Messerschmidt for the NY Post
Alison Winter, family therapist for Rex Heuermann, wearing a black coat and sunglasses, holding a dog leash outside the Heuermann residence.
Alison Winter seen walking her dog at Rex Heuermann’s Massapequa home.James Messerschmidt for the NY Post
New York Post front page with the headline "Smirk of a Serial Killer" above a photo of Rex Heuermann.
The front page of the New York Post on April 9, 2026.scalle

Her next scheduled court appearance is July 21.

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