Daily mail gilgo beach murders
The Gilgo Beach murders are a series of unsolved murders that took place in Long Island, New York, between 1996 and 2010. The victims were all women who were found dead along the Gilgo Beach area of Oak Beach, Long Island. The case gained widespread media attention due to the similarities between the victims and the lack of leads or arrests.
Here is a summary of the case:
Victims:
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, was last seen on July 19, 1996, at a bar in Ocean Beach, Long Island. Her body was found on January 19, 1997, in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach.
- Melissa Barthelemy, 24, was last seen on July 12, 2009, at a bar in the Bronx. Her body was found on September 2, 2009, in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach.
- Amber Lynn Costello, 27, was last seen on July 6, 2010, at a bar in Bay Shore, Long Island. Her body was found on October 12, 2010, in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach.
- Megan Waterman, 22, was last seen on June 6, 2010, at a bar in Ocean Beach, Long Island. Her body was found on June 13, 2010, in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach.
- Maureen Brainard-Barnes' friend, Jessica Taylor, 20, was last seen on July 19, 2003, at a bar in Ocean Beach, Long Island. Her body was found on January 19, 2003, in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach.
Investigation:
The investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders was led by the Suffolk County Police Department (SCPD) and the FBI. The police collected evidence from the crime scenes, including DNA samples, fingerprints, and clothing fibers. They also conducted numerous interviews with potential witnesses and suspects.
In 2011, police discovered a large number of human remains in a wooded area near Gilgo Beach. The remains were later identified as those of the five victims mentioned above.
Suspects and Theories:
Over the years, police have investigated several suspects and theories, but none have been officially linked to the crimes. Some of the most notable suspects include:
- Alex Khalil, a former police officer who was arrested in 2012 for the murder of a woman in California. He was later cleared of any connection to the Gilgo Beach murders.
- John Bittas, a man who was arrested in 2013 for the murder of a woman in New York. He was later cleared of any connection to the Gilgo Beach murders.
- The "Long Island Serial Killer" (LISK), a nickname given to the killer or killers responsible for the murders. The LISK is believed to have targeted sex workers and prostitutes, and may have been active for over a decade.
Current Status:
The Gilgo Beach murders remain unsolved, and the case continues to be investigated by the SCPD and the FBI. In 2020, police announced that they had collected new DNA evidence from the crime scenes, but it has not led to any arrests or charges.
The case has been the subject of numerous books, documentaries, and TV shows, and has sparked widespread public interest and concern. The victims' families and friends continue to advocate for justice and answers, and the case remains one of the most infamous unsolved serial killer cases in American history.