Police weren't able to find Shannan's body until a year later when she was found dead in a marsh on Oak Beach. But her case became widely publicized, because during the year-long search for Shannan, police uncovered 10 other bodies in the same area. And most of the victims found were female sex workers.
The police believe the same person was responsible for all 10 murdersa person now referred to as the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK). Until this day, the identity of the killer is still unknown, but new evidence found in January may bring the authorities closer to catching this guy. Here's everything we know about the LISK, from who he might be to where he is now.
He's responsible for the murder of at least 10 bodies found in Long Island, NY.
According to ABC , on Dec. 11, 2010, when police were searching Gilgo Beach, along Ocean Parkway for Shannan Gilbert, they found the body of a different woman named Melissa Barthelemy, a 24-year old sex worker (same age and occupation as Shannan).
Two days later, three more victims were found including, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, Megan Waterman, 22, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25.
Fast forward three months, in March 2011, the remains of Jessica Taylor, 20, were also found on Gilgo Beach. And in April 2011 three more bodies were discovered, including an unidentified woman, an Asian male and a 2-year-old girl. A week after that, the last two victims were found in neighboring county, including the toddler's mom.
"All of the remains were discovered in the search for Gilbert and in relatively close proximity to each other along Ocean Parkway. Some were found as close as .5 miles of one another," ABC reported.
The killer's profile has been narrowed down.
According to the New York Times , the LISK is most likely a "white male in his mid-twenties to mid-forties who is very familiar with the South Shore of Long Island and has access to burlap sacks ." This is what many of the victim's bodies were found in.
They also believe he has a good amount of knowledge when it comes to law enforcement techniques, and he might even be a part of law enforcement, which has helped him remain free all this time.
This is someone who can walk into a room and seem like your average Joe, Scott Bonn, an assistant professor of sociology at Drew University in Madison, N.J. told the Times . He has to be persuasive enough and rational enough that he is able to convince these women to meet him on these terms. He has demonstrated social skills. He may even be charming.
In terms of technique, the killer seems to be a creature of habit or rituals. All of the bodies were found near each other. He did not stumble upon that location, Jim Clemente, former FBI special agent, told the Times . He has some familiarity with it. Same goes for his murder tools. The LISK often used burlap sacks to wrap up the women's remains. To me, it takes away from his forensic sophistication and criminal sophistication and adds to the possibility that he is more interested in this ritual aspect, Clemente said.
The Long Island Serial Killer was also known for calling the family members of the victims after their death.
Amanda Barthelemy, the younger sister of Melissa Barthelemy, "was tormented by the killer in a series of violent and sexually explicit phone calls made from locations in and around Midtown Manhattan," Vice reported.
Police recently found property belonging to the suspected LISK.
Ultimately the identity of the LISK is still unknown. But on January 16, 2020 new hope was revealed. Investigators shared a "previously undisclosed piece of evidence" with the public, releasing photographs of a belt taken at the crime scene. The black leather belt had two letters embossed on it: WH or HM, depending on how you look at it. Authorities believe it was handled by the killer, according to NBC New York .
Fingers crossed this brings them one step closer to finally solving this case.