RIVERHEAD, N.Y., March 30 (UPI) -- Investigators say bones found near a New York beach may be those of the woman they were looking for when they discovered the bodies of four prostitutes.
Shannan Gilbert of Jersey City had not been seen since May last year, the New York Post reported. Like the four women whose bodies were discovered in December on the southern shore of Long Island, she advertised sexual services on Craigslist.
A medical examiner was trying to determine Wednesday if the remains are Gilbert's. The bones were found about half a mile up the beach from the others.
Police believe the five women were killed by one person.
"It fits within the known definition of what a serial killer would be," Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota told WCBS-AM.
Investigators have questioned a man who lives on Long Island, N.Y., who appears to have been Gilbert's last client. WCBS-AM said he was also given a lie detector test.
Police began an intensive search of the area this week to take advantage of the lack of vegetation and people during the winter, WCBS said.
The other women have been identified as Megan Waterman, 22, of Scarborough, Maine, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, of Norwich, Conn., Melissa Barthelemy, 24, who grew up in The Bronx, N.Y., Amber Lynn Costello, 27, of North Babylon, N.Y.
Brainard-Barnes vanished in 2007, Barthelmy in 2009, Waterman in June and Costello in September.
