Shivangi Sinha
In December 2011, while investigating the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, police accidentally discovered human remains in the Ocean Parkway area of Long Island, New York. A forensic analysis later confirmed that the remains belonged to Melissa Barthelemy, who had been missing since July 2009. Her family was notified, and new information emerged that helped advance not only Melissa’s case but also others connected to it. The Netflix docuseries ‘Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer’ provides a detailed timeline of the case and the progress made in the investigation.
Melissa Barthelemy’s Remains Were Found More Than a Year After Her Disappearance
Melissa Mary Barthelemy was born on April 14, 1985, and was the apple of the eyes of her parents, Lynn Barthelemy and Mark Szpila. She grew up in Buffalo, New York, alongside her siblings, Alexandra and Zachary. After her parents separated, Melissa chose to live with her mother. Her mother’s new partner, Jeff Martina, embraced her as his own and provided her with care and support. When Melissa’s stepsister, Amanda Funderburg, was born, she naturally stepped into the role of a protective and nurturing older sister. She lovingly looked after her, and the two developed a close relationship. They shared their secrets and confided in each other.
After finishing high school, Melissa decided to move to Texas to live with her father. However, she soon returned to Buffalo, New York, where she focused on her future plans. Determined to build a career, she pursued a cosmetology license at Continental Beauty School and gained hands-on experience working at a local salon. She was ambitious and had big dreams for herself. In 2007, when an opportunity arose, she moved to the Bronx to explore new experiences and broaden her horizons. She was eager to live independently and prove her capabilities. The move also offered her the chance to grow while carving out a life of her own.
In July 2009, Melissa’s parents and sister grew increasingly worried when she suddenly stopped calling. She used to regularly check in with them, so it was uncharacteristic of her not to be in contact at all. Despite their hopes, they never had the chance to see her again. On December 11, 2010, while conducting a search in the Ocean Parkway area of Long Island, New York, police came across human remains in a burlap sack. After a forensic analysis, the remains were confirmed to be Melissa’s, and it was concluded that the cause of her death was homicidal violence. The devastating news left her family heartbroken, and law enforcement quickly launched an intensive investigation to uncover the truth behind her death.
The Discovery of Melissa Barthelemy’s Remains Opened a Long Investigation
The police had been searching the area where Melissa Barthelemy’s remains were found as part of their investigation into the disappearance of 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert. On the night of May 1, 2010, the latter went missing, and she had made a frantic 911 call in the early hours of the morning. Witnesses later reported seeing her running through the neighborhood in a state of fear. She even knocked on a resident’s door in Oak Beach, pleading for help before quickly running away. Initially, when the police discovered Melissa’s remains, they suspected they might belong to Shannan. However, just two days later, on December 13, 2010, the investigation took a grim turn. The remains of three more women were recovered within a 500-foot radius. The shocking discovery made the authorities assume that they were dealing with the work of a potential serial killer.
When Melissa went missing and her parents filed a report, the initial investigation did not yield any significant results. The police attempted to trace her phone and found it had been active on July 13 in areas like Manhattan, Freeport, Massapequa, and Lindenhurst. However, they were unable to pinpoint its exact location. As they delved deeper, investigators learned that due to financial difficulties, Melissa had started working as a sex worker. However, she had only told her mother that she was employed as an exotic dancer, and her sister knew the whole story. On July 12, 2009, she was last seen and was reportedly heading to meet a client. Before her disappearance, she deposited $900 into her bank account. Later that night, she attempted to call an ex-boyfriend, but the call went unanswered.
Melissa Barthelemy’s Accused Killer Lived Close to Where Several Human Remains Were Found
Just a week after Melissa’s disappearance, her 15-year-old stepsister, Amanda Funderburg, began receiving disturbing calls from Melissa’s phone. However, when the former answered, it wasn’t her sister on the other end. Instead, a man responded and spoke to her in a deeply “vulgar” manner. Amanda reported that the caller threatened her, used racial slurs, and made horrifying statements. In one of the last calls, the man declared that her sister was dead and that he was going to “watch her rot.” The family immediately reported these calls to the police. Although investigators tried to trace the origin of the calls, they faced difficulties since they were made from busy, densely populated areas like Madison Square Garden, Midtown Manhattan, and Massapequa. This made it nearly impossible to identify the caller at the time.
The remains of three other women, identified as Megan Waterman, Amber Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes, were found alongside Melissa’s. In the months that followed, police discovered several more human remains in the area. A distinct pattern emerged — most of the victims shared similar backgrounds, working as sex workers and fitting a specific demographic. A breakthrough came in 2022 when an acquaintance of one of the victims recalled seeing a car that may have belonged to the perpetrator. Using this lead, along with DNA evidence and testimonies, investigators were able to identify a suspect. The evidence pointed to Rex Heuermann, a local architect and family man from Long Island, as the alleged killer. On July 14, 2023, Heuermann was arrested and charged with multiple murders, including that of Melissa’s. However, he has yet to stand trial.
