Disclaimer: This article discusses sensitive topics including violence, sexual assault, and murder.

Exploring Netflix’s New Docuseries: Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer

Netflix has recently released a compelling crime docuseries titled Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, which sheds new light on a series of tragic murders that have haunted Long Island, New York, for nearly three decades. This three-part series aims to deepen the understanding of a case that became notorious following the earlier movie adaptation, Lost Girls, which directed by Liz Garbus, was released in 2020.

Uncovering the Timeline of Tragedy

Gone Girls contextualizes the timeline of the Long Island serial killings and intimately portrays the lives of the victims along with the aftermath faced by their families. The docuseries compiles insights from law enforcement, investigative journalists, and the victims’ relatives who narrate their relentless quest for justice in the midst of a painfully drawn-out investigation.

Garbus, drawing from her experience directing Lost Girls, acknowledges the narrative and emotional weight of the story, which continues to unveil sinister elements surrounding the case. This new installment notably arrives four years after the film adaptation, enriching the ongoing discourse around the unsolved murders and the struggles to secure justice for the victims.

Why Garbus Returned to the Case

Revisiting Events from Lost Girls

Lost Girls is based on Robert Kolker’s book, Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery, and tells the story of Shannan Gilbert, whose 2010 disappearance sparked an investigation revealing the remains of several women, now known as the Gilgo Four. Through the agony of loss, the narrative follows Mari Gilbert’s relentless advocacy for justice.

Following the release of Lost Girls, which Garbus considers her debut narrative film, new developments in the Long Island serial killer case emerged, including the arrest of Rex Heuermann in 2024, recommended to be investigated in connection with multiple murders. In a profound realization prompted by these developments, Garbus felt an urgent need to provide a more complete narrative in Gone Girls, emphasizing that the story must come full circle (source: Variety).

Insights from the Docuseries

Challenges in the Investigation

The docuseries delves deep into the challenges that hampered the investigation over the years. Viewers are informed about the appointments of Rodney Harrison and Ray Tierney as Suffolk County Police Commissioner and District Attorney, respectively, back in 2022, who used a mix of technology and eye-witness accounts to identify a suspect. As highlighted by Kolker, their team achieved in six weeks what had previously eluded investigators for 12 years.

Gone Girls scrutinizes the complexities of the investigation, revealing the setbacks caused by former Suffolk County Police Chief Jimmy Burke, who failed to cooperate with federal authorities. His refusal to share information prolonged the case and left it unsolved for over a decade. Moreover, the series exposes allegations against Burke and other officials concerning misconduct during the investigation. In turn, Burke was sentenced in 2016 for obstruction of justice and related charges, illustrating how internal issues further compounded the struggle for a resolution.

Assessing the Accuracy of Lost Girls

The True Story Behind the Film

Lost Girls, based on real events, has garnered praise for its authentic portrayal of the troubling investigation into Shannan Gilbert’s disappearance. The film illustrates how investigative efforts unearthed other victims’ remains in the vicinity of Gilgo Beach. Critics have lauded its direction, cast performance, and fidelity to the harrowing facts surrounding these events.

While some parts of Lost Girls dramatize reality, the portrayal of Mari Gilbert and her fight for justice offers a grounded understanding of the challenges families like hers faced while seeking answers. The film relinquishes the grim truth that many victims were dismissed by authorities due to their associations with sex work. Key scenes, such as Shannan Gilbert’s frantic 9-1-1 call, further accentuate the urgency of the situation, showcasing the pain experienced by the families over the years.

Why Both Gone Girls and Lost Girls Are Essential Viewing

Diverse Perspectives on the Same Tragedy

Both Gone Girls and Lost Girls offer valuable insights into the Long Island serial killer case, making them significant for viewers wanting to delve into this grim chapter of true crime history. The movie Lost Girls serves as a poignant narrative of a mother’s commitment to uncover the truth and holds a mirror to the systemic failures that impacted the victims’ lives and their families.

In contrast, Gone Girls picks up where the film leaves off, delving deeper into recent developments surrounding the case. The docuseries uniquely contextualizes the challenges of the investigation and reveals the complexities that allowed the suspected killer to evade law enforcement for so long. Forging an understanding of both the individuals impacted and the institutional failures is crucial for comprehensively grasping this ongoing tragedy.

Liz Garbus’ work in both the film and docuseries creates a profound and heartbreaking narrative that explores not only the serial killings but also the enduring fight for justice on behalf of the victims and their families.

Sources: Collider, Vulture, Variety

Source & Images