Shivangi Sinha
In June 2010, Megan Waterman traveled to New York for work, leaving behind her young daughter in Portland, Maine. Her family—including her mother, Lorraine Ela, her siblings, Amanda and Greg Jr., and her grandmother, Muriel Benner—became increasingly worried when she suddenly stopped calling. Megan had been in regular contact, especially to speak with her three-year-old daughter, Liliana Waterman. A few months later, their worst fears were realized when they learned that her remains had been discovered alongside three others in Long Island, New York. Netflix’s ‘Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer’ explores the impact of her loss and the emotional journey her family has endured ever since.
Megan Waterman’s Family Knew Something Was Wrong When She Didn’t Call Them
Megan Waterman was born on January 18, 1988, to Lorraine Ela and Gregory Gove. She grew up alongside her older brother, Greg Jr., and their challenging childhood fostered a deep bond between them. Lorraine revealed that she and Gove had separated before Megan was born and also admitted to struggling with alcohol dependency. Due to these difficulties, both the siblings spent time in foster care before eventually moving in with their grandmother, Muriel Benner. In 2005, when Megan discovered she was expecting a child, she and her sister Amanda Gove moved in with Lorraine. The latter had been sober for about two years, and Amanda was expecting a child.
In 2006, when Megan’s daughter, Liliana “Lily” Waterman, was born, she did everything she could to provide for her, but financial struggles made it difficult. Eventually, circumstances led her into sex work, though her family alleged she was coerced by her then-boyfriend, Akeem Cruz. They also accused him of being abusive toward her. On May 31, 2010, Megan traveled to Long Island, New York, leaving Lily in her mother’s care. She kept in touch daily and made her last known calls to Lorraine and Muriel on June 5. After that, her family never heard from her again. Despite filing a police report, they received no answers until her remains were discovered along with three others in the Ocean Parkway area of Long Island, New York.
Lorraine Ela Passed Away Before Her Daughter’s Alleged Killer Was Caught
Lorraine Ela never lost hope that her daughter’s killer would be brought to justice. She dedicated herself to raising her granddaughter and became Megan’s voice in interviews and public appearances. She built a life with William Kirk in South Portland, Maine, where she was a loving presence to her children, stepchildren, and grandchildren. In 2020, when new evidence emerged in the case—a leather belt embossed with the letters “HM” or “WH,” depending on the angle—it strengthened her determination to remain hopeful. She vowed to keep fighting for justice.
Sadly, Lorraine passed away in 2022 before seeing the arrest of Megan’s accused killer. It appears she had been battling cancer for some time and passed away peacefully, surrounded by family and loved ones. Despite her hardships, she always embraced life and never stopped honoring Megan’s memory. Her resilience continues to inspire her family, who have carried on her fight for justice.
Liliana Waterman is Thriving as an Aesthetics Student Today
Liliana Waterman was very young when she lost her mother and has said that her memories of Megan are mostly blurry. She was raised by Megan’s family, who shared stories about her, helping Liliana piece together an image of the mother she never truly got to know. In 2020, she expressed sadness over not having the chance to build a relationship with her. She first learned the details of her mother’s death online while she was still in elementary school—a discovery that was deeply unsettling. Despite this, Liliana has grown into a kind, resilient, and well-adjusted young woman, carrying her mother’s memory with her as she moves forward in life.
Liliana graduated from Westbrook High School in 2024 and experienced all the milestones of her teenage years, including prom. She was an active member of the cheerleading team and even contributed by helping choreograph some of the routines. Her involvement in school and the admiration of her peers reflect the incredible person she has become. Currently, she appears to still be living in Portland, Maine, where she has launched her own business, Layback With Lily, offering beauty and cosmetic services such as lashes, brows, waxing, makeup, and skincare.
She earned her Eyelash Extension Certification in October 2023 and is now studying Aesthetics at Spa Tech Institute, making significant strides in her career. Beyond her professional journey, Liliana also seems to have found love. Despite her young age, she has a strong sense of direction and confidence in her path. In many ways, she embodies her mother’s spirit—resilient, determined, and full of life.
Megan Waterman’s Siblings Have Kept Her Alive in Their Memories
Megan Waterman had many siblings and half-siblings, all of whom she deeply admired. Her older brother, Greg Jr., had already moved out of the house by the time she disappeared, but her loss had a profound impact on him. He appears to have graduated from the University of Maine and currently works as a machine operator at Nichols Portland LLC. He has maintained a close relationship with his niece, Liliana, and often spends time with her. He was in a long-term relationship with Nicci Haycock, but according to recent reports, they have since gone their separate ways. Greg has kept much of his personal life private, but he has referred to Megan as his “guardian angel,” a clear sign that he carries her memory with him every day.
In 2022, Amanda Gove spoke out against reducing her sister’s identity solely to her work in the sex industry, emphasizing that Megan was so much more than that. She has remained a strong advocate for her sister, continuously raising awareness about updates in the case. Amanda graduated from Beal University and is currently working at KFC and Taco Bell. She has built a life for herself in Hermon, Maine, where she is raising her three children—Kali, Addison, and Kason—who are her greatest sources of joy and strength. She deeply values the relationships she has cultivated and makes it a point to celebrate life’s little moments, finding happiness in the everyday joys that come her way.
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