Serial killers and true crime

The authorities are not releasing many details about these murders.

Megan, Maureen, Melissa & Amber

I have been to a few forums in the hopes that someone local to the area has heard something but there really was nothing solid there.

What I do know is that the four young woman above were found dead at Gilgo Beach, Long Island, New York in mid-December 2009.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes -25 years old – last seen July 9, 2007

Melissa Barthelemy -24 years old -last seen July 12, 2009

Megan Waterman -22 years old – last seen June 8, 2010

Amber Lynn Costello -27 years old – last seen September 2, 2010

Authorities have not released how the women were killed, whether they were dressed or had any personal items (jewelry or the such) on them, toxicology findings or many other things that would help to either connect to or disconnect from the Atlantic City Serial Killings of ’06. The few details that have come out are:

• The victims were killed at another location and then ‘dumped’ where they were later found.
• They were wrapped in burlap sacs. At first it was reported that only 2 were in these sacs but in the latest articles all 4 were wrapped up.
• They were “methodically dumped” (placed)  within 1/4 mile of each other. Although the news keeps using the word “dump site” and reporting “from a car” authorities said “methodically dumped.” This implies that they know a car was used since the area remote and there must not have been signs that the murders happened there. Also, remote but not really hidden away since a car could come by again showing the murders happened elsewhere. They were not just thrown from a car though. The killer placed them at this dump site. He also revisited this site, at least 3 times, and probably (at least) drove by even more.
• All causes of death appear similar. They have not released the actual cause but have said all seemed to have been killed in similar ways. Due to the severe decomposition they might not be 100% sure of the cause but they can be pretty sure. Small bones broken may show strangulation, punctures and holes in bones my show stabbing, broken bones and skull damage can show blunt force trauma. The last victim killed / first identified might have been ‘intact’ enough to show a probable cause of death allowing investigators to know where to look and what to look for on the other victims.
• All of the young women were prostitutes that used advertising on Craigslist. Actually this is the only known (released) connection between these women. They do not appear to have lived near each other or to have run in the same circle of associates. There have been reports, though, that police have connected them to a few (3) regular contacts / customers. This does not mean that any of those men killed them but it might help to give a clearer picture of the victims.
• 3 of the 4 were under 5 ft tall and 100 lbs. The largest was not much bigger. The killer seemed to like ‘smaller’ women.

Megan Waterman was 5-feet-5 and 150 pounds.

Amber Lynn Costello was 4-feet-10 and weighed 100 pounds.

Lynn Barthelemy was 4-feet-11 and weighed 95 pounds.

Maureen Brainard-Barnes was 4-feet-11 and 105 pounds.

• There were calls made from Melissa Barthelemy’s phone to her family. The male voice said cruel things about Melissa and called her a “whore”. – Authorities have not said that this was the killer but the calls were made days after she was last seen and stopped and there was no other activity from her phone . I have not heard of any other such calls to any of the other families or friends of these women.

There has not been much more besides speculation.

I am still bouncing back and forth as to whether I think that this is the same killer that struck Atlantic City, NJ in 2006. There are so many things that seem not to ‘fit’ but then I read something and I go back to the killer being the same. Just there being 4 bodies in similar terrains does not make a connection.

I hope that all of these families and loved ones can find peace.

I’ll write more on my thoughts and feelings about the cases later.

ABC News Report

Nightline Report

AP News Report

WIVB News Report

NY Daily News Report

48 Hours Coverage

WBEN News

In Memory of Megan Waterman

Maureen Brainard-Barnes

Amber Lynn Costello

If you have any information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible, please call the Scarborough Police Department at 207-883-6361, or their anonymous tip line at 207-730-4200, ext 3093, or the Suffolk County Police Department at 631-854-8400