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Police Release Image Of Belt That May Belong To Serial Killer In Gilgo Beach Case

For the first time in almost a decade, Suffolk County Police have released new evidence in connection with the Gilgo Beach serial killer case.

The initials on the belt found at the site where 10 bodies were found.

The initials on the belt found at the site where 10 bodies were found.

Photo Credit: Suffolk County Police

During a press conference on Thursday, Jan. 16,  police released an image of a black leather belt with two initials that they believed could belong to the killer because it had not been touched by any of the victims.

The belt is imprinted with the letters "WH" or "HW" depending on the way the belt is turned.

Suffolk Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said she hoped the release of the evidence could help identify a suspect.

"We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering justice to the victims," Hart said.

The serial killer case was opened during the search for Shannan Gilbert, 24, a Jersey City woman who solicited for sex on Craigslist, was reported missing in May 2010.

During the search for Gilbert, a K-9 officer and his dog uncovered the remains of another missing woman who worked in the sex business in a clump of weeds along Ocean Parkway near Jones Beach in December of 2010.

What followed was a mass search of the area by police that uncovered the remains of nine additional bodies, including seven women, a baby, and an adult male.

Police have only been able to identify half of the bodies, with four sets of remains including the infant and male, still unidentified.

No arrests have ever been made in connection with any of the bodies found.

Police have said in the past they don't believe Gilbert's murder is connected to the serial killer due evidence they have not released.

Hart declined to say why the department is releasing the belt at this time, or what size it was. 

During the conference, the department also announced a new website — www.gilgonews.com — will be used as a way for police and the public to exchange information on the investigation and as a way for the public to send in tips anonymously.

"We are asking the public to consider the information on the website and whether they have information that can bring the case forward," said Hart.

The department is also still waiting for the results of a new genetic test being used in the case in hopes of finding the killer or identifying the other bodies.

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