4 Bodies Found on Long Island Beach Spark Serial Killer Fears

The decomposed remains of four bodies found on a Long Island beach have sparked fears that a serial killer on the loose. The first body, believed to be that of a 24-year-old prostitute missing since May, was found Saturday, the New York Post reports. Three more were found within a quarter-mile of one another yesterday, in the underbrush on an isolated part of Oak Beach, Newsday adds.

"Common sense tells us it's not a coincidence” and the bodies were likely dumped by the same person, a detective says. The remains have probably been there at least a month, some longer than others. None have been positively identified, but a source says the first body found—possibly belonging to Shannan Gilbert—is female, and one of the other three is also reportedly female; two were wrapped in burlap sacks. Police are still searching the area for more bodies, and are looking into the cases of other missing women in the area, a source says. (More dead bodies stories.)