James Burke Very scary. Corrupt Police Capt James Burke Eyed In the podcast, Christopher claimed that the bag contained sex toys, pornography, and what seemed to be snuff films that could link James to the LISK. Suffolk Chief of Department James Burke, as a sergeant in the First Precinct 20 years ago, twice lost his police-issued service weapon at the same time that he The victim was John Pius, and Burke served as the teen witness against other suspects, who were charged with killing Pius, because he witnessed them stealing a mini-bike. Also check out my true crime books here, which are available in paperback, audiobook, and eBook formats. And she has a family. NEWS REPORT: Waterman was last seen in Hauppauge, NY on Long Island at a Holiday Inn Express. , whose family life and 2010 death are depicted in Lifetimes new movie, Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice., The film follows the Shannan'smother, Mari Gilbert (portrayed by Kim Delaney), as she fights to securejustice for her daughter, battling local police officials who she feels aren'ttaking the case seriously enough because Shannan and the other victims were sex workers. Could it be true? Erin Moriarty: Smart then. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. First, Chief of Detectives Dominick Varrone suddenly found himself out of a job. Former Suffolk police member testifies James Burke Police believe the man who made these phone calls is, in fact, Melissa's killer. He says in an off-camera interview (with 48 Hours, I think) that he passed a lie detector test with flying colors. 48 Hours says the SCPD wouldnt comment on that. Back in Scarborough, the family heard from Cruz that Megan was missing. Many of these characteristics are shared by the Gilgo Four. In the early 1990s, he had sex with a prostitute in his police car, and also failed to safeguard his weapon. New leads could finally solve gruesome Gilgo Beach murders Fill in your details below or click an icon to log in: You are commenting using your WordPress.com account. Good point! Sara helped Missy reconstruct Maureen's last weekend. Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, was the first of the Gilgo Four to disappear. Burke has a long history with law enforcement, beginning when he was a 14 year old witness in a brutal murder case, involving a 13-year old boy who had stones Think outside the box this Mothers Day and opt for gifts other than flowers and chocolate. Cookie Settings | Spota was eventually convicted of obstruction of justice, witness tampering, and conspiracy in the Chris Loeb case. Investigators tracked Maureen's phone to a cell tower in Long Island. As far as we know, James is now following his relief requirements by regularly meeting with his probation officer and providing them with his monthly income and expense statements. Lily Waterman: All things I do, like, remember of her are bad times when Akeem was hitting her, was hitting me, was just being, like, rude. I didn't know what, but I know something had to be wrong. James Burke Obituary (1925 - 2020) - Avalon, CA - Catalina Islander Gus Garcia-Roberts: they had their own little fiefdom there. Leanne claims Burke choked her and forced her into oral sex after calling her a not a good whore and paying her for her services in 2011, just months before he assumed the role of police chief. I pray, but I don't know. Plus, according to the Federal Bureau of Prisons records, he was released from behind bars in 2019. Yet, with 11 dead and no killer in custody, the Suffolk County Police Department went through an upheaval that would have a lasting impact on the case. Dominick Varrone: Very petite. There were other striking similarities. We start callin' hospitals. In other words, he *could* have actually been trying to *save* her. Help. Miles away in Maine, a 14-year-old girl struggles with what happened to her mother, who vanished when she was just 3 years old. you could never ever, ever be bored around her. Missy Cann: She was very smart, very creative. Sherre Gilbert: To get that phone call when I was in school, it was just devastating. Dominick Varrone: That hurt the investigation and the public's perception. Dominick Varrone, then chief of detectives, was struck by an odd detail. Instead, based on her frantic 911 call, they theorized she might have been high on drugs and had run into the marsh, where she died of hypothermia or possible drowning. Lily Waterman: It's never going to be over. Hart has declined to look at them, saying there's no way to know if the evidence has been tampered with. Dominick Varrone: She's running running down the street, pounding on doors, runs into this marsh. When the police found the Gilgo Four, Sherre Gilbert, 22 at the time, was certain her missing sister Shannan would be among them. Well, I'm not. From police chief to perp: FBI case against James Burke isnt over Sara Karnes: She was a very giving person, and very loyal. Megan Waterman, 22, was the youngest of the four victims whose bodies were discovered near Gilgo Beach. He was rumored Per Vice, her disappearance was preceded by a call to 911, during which she said: "They are trying to kill me. Shannan, 23, was visiting a client in Oak Beach, Long Island, in May 2010 when she made a 23-minute frantic phone call to 911 and then vanished. Missy Cann: Because this person, whoever killed my sister, thought that they were taking away my sister's voice. Hazel green eyes. Geraldine Hart: She has a name and she's a person. Also rumors of satanic worship and sacrifice. Many of the Gilgo Beach victims, whose bodies were discovered in December2010 wrapped in burlap and discarded on a stretch of Ocean Parkway, had also been strangled. The women were identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello. True-crime fanatics know that podcasts are ideal for learning about a myriad of murder, kidnapping, assault, and survivor cases. All rights reserved. Lynn Barthelemy: She was so excited. John Oliva: He left his gun behind and she recovered his weapon. JOHN RAY [in the marsh]: To say that she drowned, as was theorized, is on its face an absurdity. And he says he was not allowed to share what he knew about the serial killer with the new investigators. Missy Cann: It's worse. Identifying Valerie gave investigators new leads. And, if he were, do you think hed be very vocal about it, knowing what he just stumbled into? To attorney John Ray it's too little, too late. He remains innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Amber's friend and former roommate Dave Schaller says she was a drug addict who used sex work to support her habit. As for the person dismembering bodies-could be the doctor-he knows anatomy. Im pretty much blown away by all this. 1957) James Michael Burke (September 24, 1886 May 23, 1968) was an Irish-American film and television character actor born in New York City. I can't bring her back. Previously he wrote us, saying, "I never 'treated' her She was never in my home." Was prostitution so prevelant on Oak Beach ppl were turning away those in need? Wouldn't he know the last person she saw? Theres always been a theory of two different serial killers, so what if Dr. Hackett and Police chief are killing together and making a competition out of it. Gus Garcia-Roberts: He was charming. Discarded in a similar fashion, roughly 500 feet apart, each of them swathed in burlap. and bam a serial killer was born. Why brewer seen with three of the victims. The bodies of both women were dumped in wooded areas in the same area on Long Island's south shore: Tangredi in East Patchogue and McNamee in nearbyNorth Shirley, the Associated Press reported in 2017. 19?? Hart says the belt belonged to a large male. Burke was a police officer when the investigation started and was later promoted to the chief of police in 2011. The former chief of police was sent to prison for 46 months back in 2016 after pleading guilty to a civil rights violation arising out of an assault on a local man. Sara Karnes: It was just awesome. Patti Aronofsky is the senior producer. And two days after Shannan disappeared, Sherre says Hackett made a disturbing phone call to Shannan's mother, Mari Gilbert. Burke's unprofessional behavior set him apart, too. Nov. 8, 2017: Original charges against James Burkes accuser dropped, Oct. 28, 2017: Brown: Thomas Spota couldnt continue as Suffolk DA, Oct. 26, 2017: Burke, at heart of Spota case, receives $145G pension, Oct. 26, 2017: DA Thomas Spota leaving my post after federal indictment, Oct. 26, 2017: Spotas decades-long relationship with Burke leads to indictment, Oct. 25, 2017: Suffolk DA Thomas Spota, top aide indicted in cover-up, Oct. 25, 2017: Editorial: District Attorney Thomas Spotas contempt for the law, Aug. 4, 2017: Burke accuser charged with violating order of protection, May 9, 2017: Sources: Drugs found in ex-Suffolk police chief Burkes prison cell, April 26, 2017: Attorneys: Christopher Loeb indictment should be thrown out, April 1, 2017: Brown: Several investigations of Long Island public officials underway, Jan. 31, 2017: Christopher Loeb goes free as guilty plea is set aside, Dec. 21, 2016: Numerous cops pleaded guilty in James Burke cover-up, court papers say, Nov. 16, 2016: James Burke, ex-Suffolk police chief, appealing prison sentence, Nov. 2, 2016: Ex-Suffolk police chief James Burke gets 46 months in prison, Oct. 31, 2016: Prosecutors recommend 51-month jail sentence for James Burke, Oct. 28, 2016: James Burke asks for no prison so he can care for ill mom, Sept. 9, 2016: Former Suffolk police chief James Burke sentencing date set, May 3, 2016: Steve Bellone was warned James Burkes past would lead to scandal, Feb. 2, 2016: James Burke, ex-Suffolk police chief, offered plea deal of about 5 years, sources say, Dec. 9, 2015: James Burkes arrest generates disappointment, concern in Suffolk, Dec. 10, 2016: Janison: Suffolks official puzzles are piling up, Dec. 10, 2015: James Burke, ex-Suffolk police chief, charged in assault, cover-up, Dec. 8, 2015: James Burke, former Suffolk police chief of department, indicted, sources say, Oct. 27, 2015: Suffolk Police Chief James Burke resigns as federal probe reopens, Nov. 7, 2013: Man at center of case with top Suffolk cop Burke says chief, other cops beat him, Oct. 24, 2013: Testimony: Burke left crime scene with duffel bag. Maybe he was afraid the FBI would uncover his private life was intertwined with the escort scene on Gilgo Beach. "Some say the call was Long Island Serial Killer DNA Link Discovered FBI On Game http://www.GilgoBeachCoverUp.com, Yes he is involved. Burke, who was named Suffolk police chief in 2012, beat a handcuffed prisoner who had been charged with stealing a duffel bag from Burkes police-issued vehicle, officials said. "Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice debuts on Saturday at 8/7c on Lifetime. Lily Waterman, 14, was just 3 years old when her mother vanished. ), The Lifetime versionalso shows how a Suffolk County carpenter namedJohn Bittrolff might have been connected to the case. Erin Moriarty: Was there any relief in at least knowing what happened to your sister? GERALDINE HART [to reporters]: Today we are announcing that Jane Doe #6 has been positively identified as Valerie Mack. John Oliva: One of the highest paid departments in the country. If you have information on the Long Island serial killer case, visit GilgoNews.com. In 2015, then-Suffolk County Police Chief James Burke was busted for the 2012 assault of a handcuffed suspect who swiped a bag of sex toys and porn from 'We all knew Burke did it:' Prosecution's star witness returns to the stand for trial of former Suffolk DA, top aide, Retired Suffolk lieutenant kept meticulous calendars of Spota, McPartland conversations, Key witness says he had conversations with Spota, McPartland about Burke cover-up, Ex-Suffolk detective 'feared for everything' during alleged Spota cover-up, DA Spota says he never spoke with Bellone about Burke, 2011 letter from Spota denies James Burke misdeeds, Former Suffolk officer admits he took part in Loeb beating during testimony in Spota trial. jury selection There are remains of the victims at Gilgo that may be attributed to the handiwork of Mr. Bittrolff and that investigation is continuing, he said, asPIX 11 reported., A spokesperson for the Suffolk County Police Department told Oxygen.com that they wouldn't discuss whetherBittrolff is, or ever was, asuspect in those murders.Biancavilla did not immediately return Oxygen.coms request for comment this week.. Im not sure Dr. Hackett has the ability to manipulate the sex workers into being at their most vulnerable prior to the murders & destroy all evidence afterwards, both at the highest level. Burke and others testified against four teenaged boys. I was just very, like, confused on why she, like, wasn't around. And then, there's a guy on the other end. June 27, 2013: Editorial: Suffolk chief crossed line of good judgment, June 25, 2013: Sources: FBI probing Suffolk Chief of Police James Burke, June 14, 2013: Police: Chief went to theft suspects home, June 14: 2013: Man accused of stealing police gun belt, ammo in St. James, Other LI officials charged with abuse of power. John Ray, a lawyer for Shannan Gilberts family, told theNew York Daily News in 2017 that Biancavillas comment may have been a bit of a stretch. Convicted of: Deprivation of civil rights; conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice. The Long Island Serial Killer Get all your true crime news from Oxygen. Loeb stole Burke's duffle bag containing his gun belt, porn and sex toys. Please enter valid email address to continue. Dominick Varrone: We didn't pay that much attention to him. Now, I dont really know what to make of all this. 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BUT, the ex-chief of SCPD, in some interview on a very small, no viewership youtube channel seems to indicate otherwise, and backs up Paks claim (it seems like he didnt know, or just forgot, that the SCPDs policy was going to be no comment on this). Although those other victimshaven't beenofficially declared part of the case,theories about how those additional killings could be connected have circulated for years. Maureen was the first of the Gilgo Four to disappear that summer night in 2007. John Meehan, the former chief of patrol, also testified in court that right after Burke assaulted suspect Christopher Loeb in 2012, Burke told him, "You're going to hear a rumor that I beat a guy and that I had kiddie porn in the car. Bittrolff was sentenced to two consecutive 25-years-to-life sentences in 2017 for the killings of Tangredi and McNamee and he is currently incarcerated at Downstate Correctional Facility in New York. Burke has already served federal prison time for the assault. Privacy Policy | About a week later, her then 15-year-old sister got a call from Melissa's phone. Maureen was about to be evicted from her apartment, and was facing an ugly, expensive court battle for custody of one of her young children. ( m. Sharing her story for the first time on television. Obituary of James J. Burke | William E Law Inc more akin to, like, a mob boss than a police chief. And I don't want to wait for that phone call. December 13, 2020 / 6:09 AM Maureen's sister Missy Cann will wait as long as it takes. Using new genetic genealogy tools, investigators were finally able to identify one of the victims found on Ocean Parkway. Long Island Serial Killer Suspect List: Here Are All the Suspects Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Burke has been housed in Brooklyn's Metropolitan Detention Center, far from the inmates he helped put behind bars over three decades in law enforcement on Long But the next day, Sara returned to Norwich, and says Maureen remained to make more money. Gus Garcia-Roberts: Tom Spota was a young, sort of ambitious prosecutor whose specialty was getting that witness who said exactly what the case needed in order to clinch it. He says he only called Shannan's family to offer support. He says some call him a storyteller. On the spot where each woman was found, they erected a cross. She was a talented young woman from a troubled family dreaming of a singing and acting career. And Loeb didn't know that. Ray filed a civil suit against Peter Hackett in 2012 for wrongful death and malpractice. Missy Cann: I had a drive in me to be like, oh, I'm going to find my sister. Missy Cann: She didn't run away. "It's extraordinarily complex" says Hart. He knows who the culprits are for sure. As amazing as she was, was as tormented as she was. Cuff says he led an internal affairs investigation into Burke in the 1990s, when Burke was caught having sex with a prostitute in his patrol car while in uniform. "It seemed to be wrapped in burlap, which, you know, didn't make any sense," says Varrone. Topics you care about, straight to your inbox. Burke, who was named Suffolk police chief Newsday And you know Burke got in with Spota in high school by lying and accusing the boys. Working that stupid telemarketing job was not enough. Please enable notifications or using normal browsing mode. Loeb was arrested, locked into a room and chained to the floor. Burke has a long history with law enforcement, beginning when he was a 14 year old witness in a brutal murder case, involving a 13-year old boy who had stones shoved down his throat in 1979. Erin Moriarty: Was it because Burke didn't want to share credit or was it to keep out prying eyes? Dr. Hackett declined "48 Hours"' request for an interview. Create your free profile and get access to exclusive content. GERALDINE HART [to reporters]: Valerie Mack who was 24 years old in 2000 when she went missing was described as 5 feet tall and approximately 100 pounds with brown hair and hazel eyes. Afterwards, she tries a new agency, but gets few dates. Erin Moriarty: you've been flagged by Craigslist. She was looking for fast food jobs, grocery store jobs, telemarketer jobs. Can someone enlighten me?? I have no doubt that scumbag James Burke is the killer. Honestly, I dont even know where to start. Many have long suspected that when the DAs office refused help from the FBI on the LISK case, Burke was the reason behind that. Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! That was last time I talked to her. If you met him you would know he did it too. Maureen's friend, Sara Karnes, can't believe they haven't found her killer in all these years. Ive had a feeling it has to be someone in Law Enforcement because they really did a shitty job with the whole investigation and on purpose I assume. With the serial killer case seemingly stalled, graffiti appeared accusing the former chief of being the serial killer. Shaheen Tokhi is the associate producer. They kept looking for Shannan, and in December 2011, a year-and-a-half after she disappeared . From there, Suffolk County Police Chief James Burkegoes on to state at a press conference that investigators were looking into whether or not he had anything to do with the women killed in the Long Island Serial Killer case.The movie even ends with an addendum stating that Bittrolff was convicted in the deaths of two of the women found., So were there actual links between Bittrolff and the broader case?. WebThe only real things that make me even consider the possibility are the Janice Fullam disappearance from Smithtown in 1981, the proximity of Lowrita's Massapequa apartment to the Massapequa motel and Lowrita's connection to Amityville. Burke has a long history with law enforcement, beginning when he was a 14 year old witness in a brutal murder case, involving a 13-year old boy who had stones shoved down his throat in 1979. Tales of True Crime, episode 11: Is the Long Island Serial - KFGO These two have to be in on it in some way. When PIX11 contacted Spotas office Wednesday for comment, we did not receive a response. You're waiting. Im not clear on how she met Pak. Sara described how they learned they had been banned from Craigslist for a few days and couldn't post ads for clients. Ray fought for and won access to the 911 calls made that night. Three years later, in December 2010, human remains were found along Ocean Parkway, near Gilgo Beach on Long Island. Ray vows he'll never stop fighting for Shannan. Convicted of: Deprivation of civil rights; conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice. case is probably seperate, but she was killed in his back yard.. Hackett was prescribing drugs for the whole community. You're not able to put your ad on Craigslist. No wonder it's been the subject of numerous films and documentary projects. As per the New York Post, an agent believes the reason for this was the Chiefs already fraying relationship with the Bureau for having assaulted Christopher Loeb. Varrone concluded Cruz didn't know who Megan's client was that night and had nothing to do with her disappearance. Elizabeth Meserve: She was afraid he would hurt her family; he would hurt Lilliana. Someone has her this isn't normal. In 2014, whenBittrolff was arrested for the two 1990s murders, then-Suffolk County District AttorneyTom Spota dismissed any potential links to the Gilgo Beach case, saying there was no", There are remains of the victims at Gilgo that may be attributed to the handiwork of Mr. Bittrolff and that investigation is continuing, he said, as, A spokesperson for the Suffolk County Police Department told, that they wouldn't discuss whetherBittrolff is, or ever was, asuspect in those murders.Biancavilla did not immediately return, John Ray, a lawyer for Shannan Gilberts family, told the, in 2017 that Biancavillas comment may have been a bit of a stretch. Gilberts final hours are a mystery. Lily Waterman: Yeah, for sure. How do I keep bugs off my patio this spring? In the days before Maureen disappeared, she was under enormous financial pressure. Gus Garcia Roberts: it speaks to a complete absence of trust in the law enforcement system in Suffolk County which, regardless of any veracity of that graffiti, I think is completely deserved. That was a very, very heavy part of the investigation. A DNA swab from his brother, obtained during an unrelated arrest, connected his DNA to that found on two murder victimsfrom the 1990s. Prior to Pak, Gilbert worked for an escort agency that was very successful, (it gets caught at the W in Hoboken in 2009). 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Missy Cann: My sister was a wonderful person. John Ray: I do not think Suffolk County put any effort into investigating Peter Hackett to this day. He was sentenced to 46 months in federal prison. "I never got to really say those words.". Missy Cann: From her emails I could see how desperate she was to get money, to be able to save herself from being evicted. A new Lifetime movie exploring aspects of the so-called Long Island Serial Killer case depicts the arrest ofJohn Bittrolff, who was convicted of the 1990s killings of two women in the same area. Varrone says her skeletal remains were found collapsed in thick brush. She was gone," Cann tells "48 Hours" correspondent Erin Moriarty. James Burke, the Suffolk County Police Departments former top uniformed officer, was indicted in December 2015 and charged by federal prosecutors with orchestrating an elaborate scheme to conceal his own crime.