Sources in law enforcement say that a search in Manorville in eastern Long Island, New York where partial remains from two of the eleven Gilgo Beach victims have been discovered is related to an ongoing investigation.
Suffolk County Police deferred any comment to the District Attorney’s Office. The office of District Attorney Ray Tierney declined to confirm any connection with the Gilgo victims but did acknowledge that a search had been conducted in the area.
In a press release, his office stated, “The Suffolk County Police Department is working with the New York Police Department as well as the New York State Police on an ongoing investigation.” “We can not comment while an investigation is ongoing.” “We will make additional statements as appropriate.”
Suffolk Police found 11 sets along a remote section of Ocean Parkway between 2010 and 2011, after a woman called 911 and disappeared from the Oak Beach gated community.
The Gilgo Four were among them: Melissa Barthelemy (24), Megan Waterman (22), Amber Costello (27), and Maureen Brainard Barnes (25).
Rex Heurmann, an architect from New York City, was arrested by police in connection with the July slayings. He lived in Massapequa Park, a 20-minute drive from Gilgo Beach.
Tierney promised to use the grand jury to investigate all other deaths after Heuermann was arraigned.
Joseph Giacalone is a former NYPD Sergeant and Cold Case Expert who teaches at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. He said of the Manorville search, “It [could be grand jury-related], but I don’t believe it to be.” “I believe it came in as a tip which must have had some confirmation.”
He praised the county for its handling of the investigation, and their willingness to look at whether there could be other victims.
Gilbert’s remains are the last to be found. Police said years later that she died accidentally. Her official cause of death, however, was not determined.
They still have six unsolved crimes, but two of the victims, Jessica Taylor, and Valerie Mack were dismembered, and disposed of in different locations. In 2000 and 2003, police discovered partial remains of the victims in Manorville. In 2011, during the search for Gilbert, additional remains of both victims have been discovered.
Heuermann has denied the Gilgo Four murders and hasn’t been named as a suspect for the other deaths.
Tierney, who is the district attorney and also the main prosecutor in the case against Heuermann has promised that the grand jury will continue its investigation into the other cases.
Giacalone mentioned that John Bittrolff, another Long Island serial murderer who terrorized the area during the 1990s, lived nearby. “Jessica Taylor, Valerie Mack and the rest were found in Gilgo.”
John Bittrolff is another Long Island serial murderer who is currently serving two consecutive sentences of 25 years to life in prison. He was convicted for the 1993 and 1994 murders of Rita Tangredi and Colleen MacNamee. Their remains were discovered naked in Manorville. Both were strangled, and both showed signs of severe brain trauma.
He lived in Manorville, and at one time was considered a suspect in the Gilgo murders.
Robert Biancavilla was the former Suffolk County Assistant district attorney who prosecuted Bittrolff in the Tangredi, McNamee, and McNamee murders. He said that after the sentencing, the killer could have been involved with at least one Gilgo case.
Jonathan Manley is Bittrolff’s lawyer. He denied the claim, calling it a “laughable attempt” to draw media attention to the unsolved crimes.
John Kelly, who has been following this case for over a decade, believes that Biancavilla may have had a point.
He said that “body parts are not something we could connect to Rex right now,” noting Hueurmann’s alleged victims had been found intact, and were hidden in camouflaged Burlap used by duck hunters.
Kelly said that Bittrolff “was a poser and a cutter.” “He wanted us to find his last known victims.”
He believes that the killer has likely had additional victims, and investigators would likely know if there are any additional remains found in Manorville if it is related to the case.
Kelly stated that Bittrolff was different from Heuermann on two important points. Bittrolff did not meet his victims online but in person, while Mack and Taylor disappeared when internet usage was less prevalent than when Hueurmann allegedly met victims through dating apps and Craigslist.
The Gilgo Four, as well as Bittrolff, were hidden in burlap and brush camouflaged with camouflage.
Kelly stated that “he liked to use them as a shock value for the investigators.”
The former carpenter was also a hunter who allegedly ate a deer’s heart raw in a bizarre ritual.
Bittrolff was also suspected, but not charged with a second homicide: the murder of Sandra Costilla.
Kelly said, “He knew the woods in Manorville like the backs of his hand.” “He was always hunting.”
