Toll of suspected serial killer’s victims rises to eight as bodies are found

The remains of eight victims have now been found just steps from Ocean Parkway, a highway leading to popular Jones Beach, about 45 miles east of New York City.

The bodies of four missing prostitutes were found in December while investigators were searching for another missing woman who worked as an escort and was last seen in the area nearly a year ago.

The disappearance of that woman, Shannan Gilbert of Jersey City, remains a mystery although Suffolk County Police Commissioner Richard Dormer said that because detectives had been conducting an ongoing search for her, they already have her DNA and other forensic information, which should accelerate the identification process.

Last week, investigators found a fifth body about a mile east of the first four. That prompted police to resume a widespread search of a seven-mile stretch of the north side of the highway on Monday, a search that yielded the remains of three more victims.

Mr Dormer said investigators including police academy cadets, volunteer firefighters and cadaver dogs were resuming their search.