Norwich Woman Among Bodies Found in L.I. Beach Dump Case

The bodies of three women found dumped on a Long Island beach have been identified and all the victims had posted ads on the internet for escort services before their deaths, according to law enforcement officials.

One of the woman was identified as Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, of Norwich. Brainard-Barnes left for New York on July 9, 2007 and planned to return the next day, but never did, according to Charley Project.com.

Last week, authorities identified a fourth women as that of a missing Craigslist escort from Maine.

Suffolk County District Attorney Thomas Spota said in a press conference Monday that all four women were killed by the same person.  They were apparently killed in different locations and then their bodies dumped near a parkway leading to Jones Beach on Long Islan.

On Monday, officials in Suffolk County said the other three women were all in their 20s. One was from the Bronx, one is from Connecticut, and one from North Babylon.  

The bodies of the four women were found near a parkway leading to Jones Beach on Long Island.

The other women were identified as Melissa Barthelemy, 24, of Erie County, New York, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27, of North Babylon. They were all found in Gilgo Beach in December.

Megan Waterman, 22, of Scarborough, Maine, was identified on Dec. 13.

Police Commissioner Richard Dormer had initially indicated a serial killer might be responsible for the deaths. However, police have since backed away from that assertion.

They now say they're not certain how the women died.

A reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest in this case.

Detectives are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad at 631-852-6392 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS. All calls will be kept confidential.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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