Gilbert, who had been working as an escort, was reported to have fled from a client’s home in a state of distress. Her remains were eventually found in a wooded area in Oak Beach, Long Island, in December 2011.

The search for her led authorities to discover the bodies of several other women, many of whom were also working in the sex trade. This discovery pointed to a pattern of violent crime that remained unsolved for years. Shannan Gilbert’s case became a tragic and significant part of a larger investigation. Her disappearance in May 2010 led to the discovery of multiple bodies in the area around Long Island, an event that drew widespread media attention and led to what is now known as the “Long Island Serial Killer” investigation.

Shannan Marie Gilbert was born on October 24, 1986, to Floyd Gilbert and Mari Cox Gilbert in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. The family relocated to Ellenville, New York, in 1987. Shannan was the eldest of four sisters.

Shannan was placed under the care of her foster mother, Dyan Haslam.At the age of 14 she was able to return home for a little bit. Following an incident involving her mother’s then-boyfriend Rick Burner, Shannan were removed from their home again. She spent her childhood in foster care, separated from her siblings—Sherre, Sarra, and half-sister Stevie.

2003 – Shannan graduated from New Paltz Central High School, completing her studies two years ahead of most of her peers. After graduation, Shannan lived with her grandmother in the Village of Suffern, New York. She later moved with her boyfriend in North Carolina before moving to an apartment in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey in

2007 She started working hard nights as an escort service. She used pseudonyms Sabrina, and often wore wigs and flashy clothes. Shannan was working at Lace Party Girls where she first came across local Alex Diaz — he served as a driver there. July 2007 Shanna was arrested by The Upper Saddle River Police in an undercover sting operation targeting escort services.

2007 December – Shannan started dating Alex Diaz 29-year-old with dark, shaggy hair. Their relationship became tumultuous, and during one of their arguments, Diaz severely assaulted Shannan, resulting in her needing a titanium plate in her jaw. After the surgery Shannan returned to their shared home.

June 23, 2009, Shannan was arrested during a sting operation at a Route 17 hotel while working for an agency called Lace Party Girls. Arrest and Indictment . Party Girls Agency Shutdown after the owner of the agency plead guilty to three million money laundering. Shannan moved in with Diaz to his father’s home in Jersey City, and Shannan began looking to other agencies for work. Things continued to deteriorate between the two, and fights were becoming more common. 

2010 – Once Lace Party Girls Agency Shutdown, Shannan began posting ads on Craigslist, charging $200 an hour for her services. She retained two-thirds of the fee, with the remaining third going to Michael Pak, who provided transportation and security for her dates. Shannan enjoyed partying and used a mix of marijuana, cocaine, and prescription drugs. Despite these habits, she managed to avoid spending too much of her earnings, she could end a night with $600 or more.

April 30, 2010 Shannan and Alex snuck Taco Bell into the theater where they’d watch ‘A Nightmare on Elm Street. Shannan and Alex returned home, where Shannan began getting ready for work.