Long Island

'Craigslist killer' on the Long Island Beach prostitute murder spree

Police in New York are continuing their gruesome search for more possible victims of the 'Craigslist killer', following the discovery of 4 bodies in the last week.

The westernmost end of Long Island contains the NY City boroughs of Brooklyn (Kings County) and Queens.

In December the bodies of 4 women - Amber Lynn Costello, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Melissa Barthelemy - were found on the north side of Ocean Parkway in Long Island.

All are thought to have travelled to the area to meet clients for sex arranged through the website Craigslist.

A further 3 bodies were uncovered last week and another on Monday, and police have now expanded their search to the south side of the highway.

The remains were found while police were investigating the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, who also went missing after travelling to the area for a sexual encounter with a client organised on Craigslist.

Authorities have yet to identify the four bodies discovered most recently, although have ruled out any as belonging to Ms Gilbert, and as yet have no suspects, although they believe the murders could be the work of a possible serial killer.

Speaking to the New York Post, Ms Gilbert's sister Sherre said: 'We have to find my sister, she’s out there somewhere,' adding 'Out of all the bodies we all thought one had to be her'.

Search teams are reportedly struggling against harsh weather and marshy terrain as they continue their grim task in the area 45 miles east of NY City.