Case 354: The Gilgo Beach Serial Killings (Part 1/2)
Summary
This episode investigates the unsolved disappearances of Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Bartholomew, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello, all of whom vanished from Long Island, New York, after engaging in sex work. The narrative highlights how police initially dismissed their cases due to their professions, despite evidence linking their final phone pings to the same area and a burner phone. It details the chilling calls made to their families by an unknown man who admitted to killing them, and concludes with the 2010 discovery of a skeleton in a burlap sack by a cadaver dog, leaving …
Topics discussed
Sponsorships and content warnings
Introduction to the search site and cadaver dog Blue
Maureen Brainard-Barnes: Background and entry into sex work
Maureen's disappearance in July 2007 and early investigation
Suspicious calls to Maureen's friend Sarah
Melissa Bartholomew: Background and move to New York
Melissa's disappearance and threatening calls to her sister
Megan Waterman: Background, pimp Akim, and disappearance
Amber Lynn Costello: Background and move to Long Island
Amber's disappearance after a client visit in September 2010
Sponsor segments for Fair and Abercrombie
Shannon Gilbert's final night and the 911 call
Police response to Shannon's case and initial searches
Discovery of four bodies on Ocean Parkway in December 2010
Identification of the four victims as missing sex workers
Sponsor segments for Vinted and Blissy
Geography of Long Island and history of similar serial killers
Official announcement of victims and FBI profile of the killer
Discovery of additional victims and expansion of the case
Shannon's body found, police leadership changes, and investigation issues
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