Suspected Long Island Serial Killer in Custody After Years-Long Manhunt

There's a possible breakthrough in the chilling case of the Long Island serial killer.

More than a decade after authorities found the remains of 11 people in the remote area of Long Island, New York, a suspect is in custody in connection to the Gilgo Beach murders, a law enforcement official and two government officials confirmed to NBC News July 14.

A spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office told the outlet that there was a "significant development in the case" but declined to comment further, citing a forthcoming court proceeding. According to NBC News, the suspect is from Massapequa, the community located within nearby Nassau County.

The break in the case comes 13 years after the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, a 24-year-old sex worker from New Jersey who vanished in 2010 after leaving a residence in Oak Beach.

After leaving a client's home, she made a 22-minute-long call to 911, which was released to the public in 2022. During the call, per NBC News, Gilbert was heard telling the emergency dispatcher that someone was trying to kill her.

During their search for Gilbert, police discovered other human remains on Gilgo Beach in December of that year, including Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Megan Waterman, 22, Amber Lynn Costello, 27, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25.

In March 2011, authorities found the partial remains of Jessica Taylor, 20. The following month, police uncovered three additional remains, including Valerie Mack, 24, an unidentified child and an unidentified male.

Gilbert's remains were discovered by police on Oak Beach in December 2011.

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