Police release picture of new evidence in Gilgo Beach murder case

During a news conference, officials also announced the launch of a website dedicated to the Gilgo investigation.

News 12 Staff

Jan 16, 2020, 10:49 AM

Updated 1,563 days ago

Share:

Prosecutors today unveiled a new clue and detailed new technology being used to crack the case of the Gilgo murders.
During a news conference Thursday, Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart released images of a black leather belt embossed with WH or HM. Police believe it was handled by the suspect and did not belong to any victims.
Police did not reveal the exact location the belt was found in but did say it was located on Ocean Parkway. They say the letters on the belt are about a 1/2 inch by 1/2 inch.
Ten sets of human remains were found along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach between 2010 and 2011. Hart says police have now sent DNA samples from five of the unidentified victims to the FBI for genetic genealogy testing and launched Gilgonews.com as a platform to exchange information on the investigation with the public. They say the website is also an avenue for the public to send in tips anonymously.
undefined
“We're constantly re-evaluating, we're constantly trying new techniques,” said Hart. “Science and technology are moving forward at a mind-boggling pace.”
Suffolk police said part of the process of trying to identify the victims includes uploading DNA to public genealogy databases.
The human remains were found as police searched for missing sex worker Shannan Gilbert. Her body was found in December 2011 near Oak Beach. For years, police said they believed her death was accidental and that she was not murdered by the serial killer or killers.
Hart said Thursday that police “don't know whether it's natural causes or the cause of a criminal act.”
“[Gilbert] does not match the pattern of the Gilgo Beach homicides, but again, I want to emphasize to everyone here, we let the facts dictate where we're going to go with this investigation,” said Hart.
Before the news conference, the attorney for Shannan Gilbert's family held a news conference to call for the Suffolk County Police Department to release the 911 call made by Gilbert on the night she died.
“If there's nothing of value on those tapes, if it's merely Shannon's voice saying nothing of significance that we don't already know, then there can't be a reason why for nine years they have resisted and refused to give up those tapes,” said attorney John Ray.
Hart said the Gilbert call is considered “part of the investigation” that will be protected. 
Previous News 12 Coverage: A look back 5 years after the Gilgo discoveries:
PHOTOS: The Gilgo Beach murder investigation:
undefined
 Previous News 12 Coverage: New technology could help solve Gilgo murder cases:
 
Previous News 12 Coverage: Second anniversary of Gilgo discovery:
Previous News 12 Coverage: DNA links torso found 20 years ago to Gilgo Beach killings
 


More from News 12
1:46
Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

Hero doctor earns Heart Saver Award for saving soccer referee

1:46
Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

Scattered rain overnight on Long Island; sunny skies Sunday afternoon

1:37
Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

Manorville search related to Gilgo Beach case continues for fifth day

1:54
Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

Arbor Day Festival at Planting Fields Arboretum marks 38th year

0:33
Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

Delta plane lands at JFK due to emergency slide falling off

2:02
'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

'Gains For Brains' girls lacrosse tournament raises awareness, funds for pediatric brain cancer research

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

Mathew Barzal scores in 2nd OT as Islanders beat Hurricanes 3-2 to avoid series sweep

2:28
Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

Doctors are seeing an increase in pickleball-related injuries. Here how to avoid them

1:56
DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

DEC: Delay in test results on soil, drums found at Bethpage park caused by technical issues at Grumman lab

0:26
Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

Officials: Bag of cocaine found during search of Melville restaurant

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

1:50
Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

Selden man accused of abandoning dogs in state park

1:33
Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

Disabled Army vet in Kings Park get new backyard with help from volunteers

1:20
Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

Police return to Manorville to continue search in connection to Gilgo Beach case

1:56
EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

EXCLUSIVE: Police, K-9 search in North Sea at location of cold case murder

0:22
Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

Suffolk County given $5M from federal gov't for construction of new bridge to Fire Island

0:29
Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

Halal food truck coming to Nassau Community College amid dining issues

0:18
Police: East Northport man killed in motorcycle cash in East Farmingdale

Police: East Northport man killed in motorcycle cash in East Farmingdale

1:00
The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

The East End: McCall Wines in Cutchogue

1:45
Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend

Long Island's largest car show returns to Tobay Beach this weekend