Photo credit: movieweb.com
Netflix continues to captivate audiences with its array of eye-opening true-crime documentaries, often leaving viewers in disbelief. One of its recent offerings, Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, delves into the heart-wrenching search for several missing women linked to the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer case.
The documentary provides an extensive account of the tragic murders; however, it omits a haunting detail. Central to the narrative is the case of Shannan Gilbert, a 23-year-old Craigslist escort whose disappearance initiated the investigation that ultimately uncovered multiple murder victims along Gilgo Beach. Her mother, Mari Gilbert, became an unwavering advocate for justice, fiercely pushing for continuous efforts to find her daughter and addressing the societal indifference surrounding the disappearances of marginalized women. Sadly, Mari’s own story ends in tragedy, as she, too, became a victim of violence. This critical aspect of Mari’s fate is glossed over in the documentary, leaving an unanswered question about how her relentless fight for justice concluded. This article will explore the profound dedication of Mari Gilbert and the circumstances surrounding her untimely death.
Mari Gilbert’s Relentless Fight for Justice
In the wake of Shannan’s disappearance and the emergence of the Gilgo Beach murder victims, Mari Gilbert dedicated herself to the search for her daughter and the pursuit of justice for all affected families. Many of the women who vanished were known to have been escorts and often faced dismissive attitudes from law enforcement, which did not prioritize the cases involving marginalized individuals. Mari was unrelenting in her efforts, publicly criticizing the police for their insufficient response and investigating their procedures, which she believed hindered the identification of the serial killer responsible for these heinous acts. Throughout the documentary, Mari’s unwavering resolve shone as a beacon of hope for those grieving the loss of loved ones in similar circumstances.
When Shannan’s body was discovered nearly 19 months following her disappearance, the findings were devastating. Medical examiners concluded that her death was undetermined rather than a homicide, even with disturbing parallels to the Gilgo Beach murder pattern, highlighting the complexities of the case and the challenges in addressing such violent crimes.
As Mari’s presence gradually diminished from the documentary’s footage, many viewers were left to ponder her fate. This curiosity grew especially poignant when the Long Island Ripper was identified as Rex Heuermann in July 2023, leading to his indictment for multiple murders. The anticipation of Mari’s reaction to this significant development, however, went unanswered, with the film later noting her passing.
Mari Gilbert’s Shocking Death
Tragedy struck Mari Gilbert twice, first with the loss of her daughter and then with her own brutal death. On July 23, 2016, Mari was murdered in a horrific incident. As a mother of four, including Shannan, she found herself caught in a nightmare that few could comprehend. Tragically, her life was claimed by one of her own daughters.
Sarra Elisabeth Gilbert, who struggled with severe mental health issues including schizophrenia, was hospitalized multiple times in the period leading up to Mari’s death. On that fateful day, Sarra, hearing distressing voices, called her mother over and fatally attacked her, stabbing Mari 227 times and viciously beating her with a fire extinguisher. Sarra was apprehended and charged with second-degree murder, ultimately receiving a 25-year prison sentence, where she is currently incarcerated.
Mari Gilbert never witnessed the prosecution of her daughter’s potential killer, nor did she have the opportunity to press further for justice for Shannan. Mari passed away seven years before Rex Heuermann’s arrest, and there is little doubt that had she lived, she would have been a formidable force in ensuring justice was served much sooner.
Given Mari’s crucial role in unveiling Heuermann’s crimes and advocating for the numerous women affected by this tragedy, it raises questions as to why her own story was not more prominently featured in the documentary. Other productions, such as the 2020 film Lost Girls on Netflix and the 2018 docuseries Twisted Sisters on Prime Video, delve deeper into the events surrounding Shannan’s case and Mari’s shocking murder.
Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer is currently available to stream on Netflix.
Source
movieweb.com