This article contains references to violence and murder.
Netflix’s new crime docuseries,Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, explores one of America’s longest killing sprees, the unfortunate victims and the impact their deaths had on their families. Directed by Liz Garbus, the three-part Netflix docuseries offers new insight into a spree of murders that took place over a span of 28 years, and the long search to apprehend the suspect. The latest entry intoNetflix’s growing catalog of true crime documentaries,Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer,contains interviews with journalists, investigators and relatives of the victims who speak about their loss and search for justice.
The Netflix crime series depicts how the victims' families were able to form a bond as a result of their shared loss and worked together to raise awareness about the murders and the search to find the killer. Their campaign inspired the release of the 2020 movie,Lost Girls, a fictionalized adaptation of the killings. As seen inthe ending ofLost Girls, there was much speculation as to who was responsible, and it took investigators many years before they made the announcement that they had made an arrest in connection to the murders.
The Long Island Serial Killers' Crimes Spanned From 1993 To 2011
DNA Testing Confirmed The Killer’s Connection To Several Unsolved Murders
On June 12, 2025, a 24-year-old woman, Shannan Gilbert, who was working as an escort near Oak Beach, made a 9-1-1 call, stating that she was being followed on Long Island and somebody was going to kill her. In episode 1 ofGone Girls, the call to emergency services is played, and a terrified Gilbert is heard saying, “These people are plotting to kill me.” The investigation into Shannan Gilbert’s disappearance led to the discovery of the bodies of four women near Gilgo Beach, New York. All four women had been reported missing to police between 2007 and 2010.
As seen in episode 2 ofGone Girls, further human remains were discovered in 2011, which indicated that the Long Island Serial Killer’s crimes stretched further than initially believed by authorities. In 2024, DNA tests and new charges also confirmed that the Long Island Serial Killer was connected to two previously unsolved murders in the same area, in 1993 and 2003 (viaNPR). This revelation showed that the killer had a crime spree that lasted almost 30 years, and they defined the Gilgo Beach area as their disposal area for the victims' bodies.
How Many People The Long Island Serial Killer Is Suspected Of Killing
Not All The Suspected Victims Were Successfully Identified
As depicted inGone Girls, the initial investigation into Shanann Gilbert’s disappearance led to the discovery of four bodies across the border of Gilgo Beach. The four were eventually identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Watermann, and Amber Lynn Costello; the four were dubbed by the media asthe Gilgo Fouras their bodies were found within a quarter mile of each other and their connections to the escort industry. In the docuseries, Maureen Brainard-Barnes' sister, Melissa Cann, described her experience visiting the site as “sad,” but “a point of healing” for her family.
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Police later announced the discovery of five further unidentified victims in the Giglo Beach area, close to where the Giglo Four had originally been found. Two of the victims were eventually identified through DNA testing as Sandra Costilla and Jessica Taylor, who both disappeared in 1993 and 2003, respectively (viaCBS News). Three further victims - a woman, her toddler daughter, and a person dressed as a man, or possibly a trans woman - have never been identified. While their identities remain unknown, investigators believe they are connected to the Long Island serial killer (viaCNN).
On June 21, 2025, a search of a marsh uncovered the belongings of Shanann Gilbert, including her ID, phone and shoes; her remains were found on August 21, 2025, on the first anniversary of the discovery of the Gilgo Four. In 2012, it was announced by authorities that Gilbert had drowned in the marsh and marked her death as “inconclusive.” Journalist and author Robert Kolker stated in Gone Girls that Gilbert’s cause of death was assumed “without any investigation.” Reporter, Jaclyn Gallucci also expressed her belief that Gilbert was murdered, and she is the unofficial 11th victim of the serial killer.
When The Long Island Serial Killers' Victims Were First Found
The bodies of the Gilgo Four victims were found between December 11 and 13, 2010, with Brainard-Barnes' remains being one of the first to be identified (viaNetflix). InGone Girls, her friend, Sara Karnes, revealed that Brainard-Barnes had hoped to make $3,000 for an upcoming custody battle, and that she was “stressed” about not having enough money; Karnes stated that she knew something was wrong after Brainard-Barnes failed to attend the hearing. The four women were found in similar situations, wrapped in burlap and described by investigators as “very petite, 5 feet or under, 100 pounds” (viaCBS News).
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Identity Unknown
The partial remains of Valerie Mack were discovered in 2000 and 2011, but it wasn’t until 2020 that her identity was confirmed; she had been previously listed as “Jane Doe No. 6” (viaPhilly Voice). Dismembered remains uncovered in 1996 and 2011 led to the positive identification of Karen Vergata, who had been listed as “Jane Doe No. 7.” The torso of Jessica Taylor was positively identified in 2003, with further remains being uncovered in 2011. DNA analysis eventually linked her and Sandra Castilla, whose remains were found in 1993, to the Long Island Serial Killer.
When Rex Heuermann Was Charged With Murders Linked To The Long Island Serial Killer
Heuermann Is Still Awaiting To Stand Trial
In the years since the discovery of the bodies at Gilgo Beach, there has been speculation as to who was responsible for the killings. In 2017, it was announced that John Bittrolff, who was convicted in 2014 of the murders of Colleen McNamee and Rita Tangredi, was a potential suspect (viaPeople). After an investigation, police found no DNA evidence connecting Bittrolff to the Gilgo Beach murders, so he faced no charges. InGone Girls, Melissa Bathelemy’s sister, Amanda Funderburg, expressed her disappointment, stating that she hoped to receive “a little closure” if Bittrolff was connected to her sister’s death.
As of April 2025, no trial date has been announced, but Heuermann is currently being held in Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, New York.
In December 2024, police announced that an architect,Rex Heuermann was the Long Island serial killing suspect, and he has since been charged with seven murders, including the Gilgo Four; he has pleaded not guilty to all charges. Ina surprising documentary plot twist, Heuermann’s DNA was connected to the killings through a discarded pizza slice. As of April 2025, no trial date has been announced, but Heuermann is being held in Riverhead Correctional Facility in Suffolk County, New York. As depicted inGone Girls, the victims' relatives are hopeful that justice will be served and will finally bring closure.
Source:NPR,CBS News(1),CNN,Netflix,CBS News(2),Philly Voice,People
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is a true-crime series that explores the investigation of the Long Island serial killer, focusing on the narratives of the victims, their families, and law enforcement.
