Lifetime to Air Updated Version of Long Island Serial Killer Movie 'The Gilgo Beach Killer'

Lifetime is rebroadcasting its movie about the Long Island Serial Killer following the arrest of suspected killer Rex Heuermann. The movie has been updated with new information and will air under the new title "The Gilgo Beach Killer."

Lifetime is delving into its extensive collection of content in light of the recent arrest of suspected serial killer Rex Heuermann. As part of their "Ripped from the Headlines" August programming, the network will be re-airing their 2021 movie, The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice. This gripping film tells the compelling story of Mari Gilbert, a determined mother whose relentless pursuit of the truth surrounding her daughter Shannan's disappearance ultimately led to the shocking discovery of multiple murdered women.

In light of Heuermann's arrest, Lifetime has updated the movie with new information to accurately reflect the latest developments in the case. The revised version, now titled The Gilgo Beach Killer, will feature additional content from executive producer and Emmy-winning journalist Deborah Norville, who provides fresh insights and details on the investigation.

The original movie starred the talented Kim Delaney as Mari Gilbert, a mother who refuses to give up hope in her search for her missing daughter. As Mari's quest for answers unfolds, the police uncover the remains of numerous young women on Long Island, suggesting the presence of a serial killer who may have preyed upon them.

Shannan Gilbert, who worked as an escort, mysteriously vanished in May 2010. The last sighting of her was leaving a client's residence in the secluded community of Oak Beach on Long Island's south shore. Months later, during the search for Shannan, law enforcement discovered the remains of several other individuals, including Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Lynn Costello. Authorities suspected that these four women had all fallen victim to the same perpetrator.

Ultimately, Shannan Gilbert's body was found in a marshy area near Oak Beach, with police concluding that her cause of death was accidental drowning.

These cases captivated the public's attention and became the subject of numerous documentaries and books. However, the identity of the killer remained a mystery until July 2023, when authorities announced the arrest of Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect residing in Long Island and working in Manhattan. Police uncovered evidence linking Heuermann to the murders of Waterman, Barthelemy, and Costello. While he has not been charged in connection with Brainard-Barnes' death, investigators believe he is responsible for her murder as well.

In addition to Lifetime's movie, Netflix's 2020 film Lost Girls also draws inspiration from this chilling and unsolved case. Based on Robert Kolker's true-crime book, the movie stars Amy Ryan as Mari Gilbert and delves into her tireless efforts to find her daughter, as well as the connections she forms with the other missing women's mothers and sisters.

With the re-airing of The Gilgo Beach Killer and the availability of Lost Girls, audiences will have the opportunity to delve deeper into this haunting tale of tragedy, resilience, and the pursuit of justice.

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