Oak Beach Bodies Update: Missing NJ Woman's Body Not Found, Say Police
SMITHTOWN, N.Y. (CBS/WCBS/AP) None of the remains found on a deserted beach highway in New York over the past week are that of a missing New Jersey prostitute whose disappearance led to the discovery of the bodies of four women, detectives said Thursday.
The Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office announced that it has determined through analysis of forensic evidence that none of the human remains found during the past week belong to Shannon Gilbert, a 24-year-old prostitute who was reported missing in May, reports CBS station WCBS.
Police on Long Island discovered the first of four bodies on Saturday while investigating Gilbert's disappearance. The other three were found within a quarter mile of each other on Monday, leading investigators to suspect the deaths to be connected.
Now police believe they are dealing with a suspected serial killer.
"We're looking at that - that we could have a serial killer," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer told WCBS. "I don't think it's a coincidence that four bodies ended up in this area."
Suspicions that the 24-year-old might be among the victims were sparked by revelations that Gilbert was last seen in a private community about three miles from where the bodies were found.
Joseph Brewer, a man believed to be among the last people to see Gilbert, voluntarily surrendered his SUV to detectives as part of their investigation. Police never identified Gilbert, nor anyone else, as a suspect in either Gilbert's disappearance or the four deaths.
Dormer has said it could be days or weeks before the bodies are identified. The New York City medical examiner's office is assisting with identification.
Authorities obtained a DNA sample Wednesday from Lorraine Ela, mother of 22-year-old Megan Waterman, who advertised her escort services on Craigslist, to determine whether one of the bodies found is her daughter's, according to Robert Moulton, chief of the Scarborough, Maine, Police Department.
Though police believe they may be dealing with a possible serial killer Dormer attempted to ease the community's fears at a briefing Thursday.
"I don't want anybody to think we have a Jack the Ripper running around Suffolk County with blood dripping from a knife," he said. "I would say to people, go about your business."
A Jersey City, N.J., Police Department missing persons flier noted Gilbert is bipolar and is known to use cocaine and marijuana, as well as prescription drugs. She has a small scar under her right eye, tattoo of cherries on her right wrist and a scorpion on her back.
