Cops: Remains identified as missing NJ woman

By NBC New York

Police have identified the remains found on Monday in a Long Island marsh as those of Shannan Gilbert, a New Jersey woman who went missing in May 2010.

The cause of death has not yet been determined. ?

The set of skeletal remains were found in the oceanfront marsh where police believed Gilbert, a prostitute, got lost and drowned in the middle of the night after fleeing a client's home in a nearby gated community.

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The remains were discovered about one-fourth of a mile from where several of Gilbert's belongings were located two weeks ago.

Police believed that the location of her belongings in relation to the remains indicate she may have been trying to run towards the lights on Ocean Parkway, a nearby road, but could not find her way out of the marsh.

The search for Gilbert more than a year ago led to police finding the bodies of several others in the deserted beachfront, who they believe to be sex workers like Gilbert.

Suffolk County police have said they believe a single serial killer is responsible for the 10 victims, but theorize that Gilbert drowned and was not slain by the killer.

Suffolk County DA Thomas Spota, though, said Thursday that he disputes the theory that only one person is involved in the death of the 10 victims.

He insisted there is no evidence all the victims are associated with the "sex trade," as the police commissioner has suggested. ? The Suffolk County Police Department Homicide Squad is continuing the investigation.?

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Source: http://usnews.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/12/17/9522059-cops-remains-identified-as-missing-nj-woman

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