Possible Victim: Shannan Gilbert, 24, missing May 2010, found Oak Beach Dec 2011 #3

[WINDSOR]

I believe many New Yorkers are familiar with Jones Beach. It is a State Park, has a large 15,000 seat amphitheater. It is also referenced in many movies as well. Up to 200,000 people have attended the airshow in the summer.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

If a LI person explaining to someone unfamiliar, I think you would say “by Jones Beach” because it’s so well known. Just Jones Beach has name recognition & a big landmark

If you are local, you would name specific beaches by name.

 

[snooptroop88]

If a LI person explaining to someone unfamiliar, I think you would say “by Jones Beach” because it’s so well known. Just Jones Beach has name recognition & a big landmark

If you are local, you would name specific beaches by name.

Like pre-2010, how would Gilgo Beach's notoriety fare against Jones Beach? Would Gilgo be more widely known to a New Yorker? Or not really?

For her to say by Jones Beach, she'd almost have to think the entirety of Long Island was on-- Jones Beach. Possibly am making way too much of a thing out of this, but it's just weird to me that when pressed, the first thing that comes to her mind is Jones Beach. Lost Girls says she'd done a "few calls" in Long Island. I wonder where they were, and who were the clients. There was supposedly a Chris in Massapequa noted in her records per John Ray. And per John Ray witness, Shannan had an incident with a client believed to be RH in Sayville Motor Lodge. Am hoping that in the huge collection of electronic devices they've amassed from RH, there may be something positively linking him to SG.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

Gilgo Beach would be unknown to anyone not local.
SG and Pak drove to client house. As they got closer, those big signs on the highway would have said JONES BEACH, they would have passed many big signs saying JONES BEACH, driven past JONES BEACH to get to Gilgo.

 

[james.coff]

Like pre-2010, how would Gilgo Beach's notoriety fare against Jones Beach? Would Gilgo be more widely known to a New Yorker? Or not really?

For her to say by Jones Beach, she'd almost have to think the entirety of Long Island was on-- Jones Beach. Possibly am making way too much of a thing out of this, but it's just weird to me that when pressed, the first thing that comes to her mind is Jones Beach. Lost Girls says she'd done a "few calls" in Long Island. I wonder where they were, and who were the clients. There was supposedly a Chris in Massapequa noted in her records per John Ray. And per John Ray witness, Shannan had an incident with a client believed to be RH in Sayville Motor Lodge. Am hoping that in the huge collection of electronic devices they've amassed from RH, there may be something positively linking him to SG.

I have her phone bill, I will message you. That night she called CVS and her and Brewer kept calling each other back and forth, some missed calls, some for 1 minute. I never looked at the other pages and have to find it. I got it from the court docs on Unicourt, but there are so many, it may take a while to find.

 

[james.coff]

Gilgo Beach would be unknown to anyone not local.
SG and Pak drove to client house. As they got closer, those big signs on the highway would have said JONES BEACH, they would have passed many big signs saying JONES BEACH, driven past JONES BEACH to get to Gilgo.

Agree!! and, had the operator asked what the troopers first question was "are you in a house or car" something like that...she would know that there are ZERO homes in Jones Beach and only one road for Jones Beach, so she could have just said, the police are coming, tell me when you hear the sirens....The SCPD would only come from the direction of towards Jones Beach and she would hear them lower to higher...and there are very few communities on that road. SCPD failed to train that person IMO, she was gruff and seemed excited to transfer it to the Trooper, who ONLY handle parks and beaches...so at 5am, she thought that Shannan was outside on the beach?

 

[james.coff]

If a LI person explaining to someone unfamiliar, I think you would say “by Jones Beach” because it’s so well known. Just Jones Beach has name recognition & a big landmark

If you are local, you would name specific beaches by name.

YESS!!! and she said BY THE JONES BEACH!! twice...ugh

 

[james.coff]

Plus - Gus Colletti allegedly said to 911 on his phone call that Shannan was a blonde 14 yo - so why would anyone feel it was ok when this child in distress disappeared with the guy she was running from?

I always wonder that! 14 y/o girl would set off huge searches on LONG Island. Thank you for bringing that up!

 

[james.coff]

I absolutely believe RH is behind the murder of SG.

There is no doubt in my mind. Were others? No idea, unfortunately. The others who are involved might just have been so concerned about protecting the reputation of Oak Beach that they convinced themselves it was okay to turn a blind eye, or maybe just not look too deeply into anything disturbing occurring in their community. Some within "the system" might have been very displeased that SG's fam "lawyered up," too, and things might not have proceeded as (just speculating) they may have otherwise.


And Bittrolff was actively involved with them, too. We're wondering now about the striking similarities between the murder of Sandra Costilla-- which is RH's handiwork-- to the murders of Colleen McNamee & Rita Tangredi, for which Bittrolff was convicted. Some feel RH stalked or tracked Bittrolff so Bittrolff would be charged (which happened). I've in the past wondered if there's not some cooperation between the two. Unless it can be proven, though, we'd probably have to veer towards the RH stalking of Bittrolff. So... was RH perhaps also stalking around after someone in this situation with SG as well? We don't know, but it certainly seems possible. Without knowing more, I'm going to continue to assume RH had some prior contact w/SG. But if one really believes he stalked/tracked Bittrolff, we can be assured Bittrolff's quite possibly not the only other client he stalked.

Everyone's always saying SG's case is different. SG's case may only be different because she's the only one that made a lengthy 911 call and screamed at the top of her lungs with multiple witnesses before she also ended up dead. I have no doubt that such significant departures from this SK's "routine" (911 call, screaming with witnesses) would have an impact.

I can't make an official response yet, but I think he was connected to at least one, but I will do my due diligence before stating anything. I am not sure if he was there, I haven't seen anything that convinces me yet, but there are so many court docs to look at still, the depo from Gus Coletti is very interesting to me though. He seemed to know something and actually says "don't make me tell on my friends"/...something like that, not the exact quotel. I am finding that I am getting more legit info that way then from all posts, articles etc...I see some youtubers are starting to read them online (THANK GOD) and I don't think I can say here, but if you want those channels, LMK, you are a truth seeker and I love it!!!

 

[WINDSOR]

I can't make an official response yet, but I think he was connected to at least one, but I will do my due diligence before stating anything. I am not sure if he was there, I haven't seen anything that convinces me yet, but there are so many court docs to look at still, the depo from Gus Coletti is very interesting to me though. He seemed to know something and actually says "don't make me tell on my friends"/...something like that, not the exact quotel. I am finding that I am getting more legit info that way then from all posts, articles etc...I see some youtubers are starting to read them online (THANK GOD) and I don't think I can say here, but if you want those channels, LMK, you are a truth seeker and I love it!!!

James, any update?

 

[AppleTreeGreen]

Hypothermia is so out there IMO too! May isn't exactly super hot but the weather that area was pretty warm that year and for the week after she disappeared. No rain til the 12th also according to the website time and date weather..

To be fair, not that I am stating for a fact that this is Shannan Gilbert’s COD, individuals can become hypothermic, or experience a drop in their body’s core temperature to 95 or lower, when subject to temperatures as high as 50 F. In particular, this is of concern when someone is exposed to a wet or even chilly environment with these temperatures and/or is underdressed.

Considering that SG was found in the marsh, whose environment has been described as wet and difficult to transverse due to quicksand and mud, it is possible she was exposed to some chilly air as her clothes and shoes also became wet as she made her way across the swamp’s tall reeds. Furthermore, SG tragically went missing in May, in which data collected by Accuweather for the years between 2022-2024 indicate the marsh’s temperature can fluctuate between lows of late 40s and high 50s in the early part of the day before rising to mid and late 60s by the afternoon.

Such conditions could put a person at risk to succumbing to hypothermia. Hypothermia is defined asSSS Victims can exhibit symptoms that include uncontrollable shivering, memory loss, slurred speech, loss of consciousness, exhaustion, slurred speech, respiratory failure and uncontrollable movements of the hands and limbs. Some patients can save themselves or others by administering own first aid, which includes removing wet clothes, remove oneself or others from chilly, wet or rainy environments, sipping on warm beverages and applying hot or heated compresses against the body. However, for those whose symptoms are range from moderate to severe, symptoms are worsening or unresponsive to treatment, have a history of cardiopulmonary problems or are unresponsive themselves their best option is to contact 911 and get emergent medical help. Hypothermia is life threatening, can develop quickly and though more common during extremely cold weather it can still occur on a sunny beach or residential swamp despite the temp being just a little above 50 F.

Again not stating this is what in fact happened to Shannan Gilbert, may she Rest in Peace and family get the justice and acknowledgment they deserve, but I do understand why logically many would also speculate it could be a cause of death, which in my opinion was both tragic and preventable had LE responded far more quickly or cared enough about her and her safety to search for her longer and more diligently to prevent any and all harm to her that early May morning.

Similar to Shannan, 2 other residents called 911. Even if her 911 operator wasn’t able to locate her, LE could locate those two callers. It shouldn’t have taken a hour to arrive to the area and they could have searched more in the areas they were informed of or shouted out or used their sirens to try to communicate or contact her or deter anyone who may have posed threat to her. Considering she was found only 0.5 miles from where she was last seen and the 911 operator on the phone also reported hearing SG screaming perhaps the responding LE could have heard and followed SG cries for help or any and all sounds from her to track and find her had they responded faster.

JMT/JMO

Your Safety: Hypothermia - Point Reyes National Seashore (U.S. National Park Service)

Information for visitors of Point Reyes National Seashore concerning how to avoid, recognize, and treat hypothermia.

www.nps.gov

‘She Was in Fear for Her Life:' Shannan Gilbert's Sister Blasts Suffolk Cops Over Gilgo Probe

Shannan Gilbert disappeared on Long Island in May 2010. The search for her exposed a possible serial killer — with nearly a dozen bodies found — but law enforcement has said she wasn’t a victim.

www.nbcnewyork.com

‘Somebody's After Me:' Shannan Gilbert's Long-Secret 911 Calls Are Out. Listen Here

The 911 calls are disorganized. At times she is coherent. At others, she slurs her words. Sometimes she doesn’t respond at all. And at times, she is heard screaming.

www.nbcnewyork.com

https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/west-gilgo-beach/11702/may-weather/2146205?year=2023

AP Was There: NY suburb deals with latest notorious murder case

Authorities in New York have arrested a man in connection with some of the killings on Long Island known as the Gilgo Beach murders.

apnews.com

Hypothermia - Symptoms and causes

www.mayoclinic.org

https://www.adfg.alaska.gov/static/education/educators/curricula/pdfs/lets_go_ice_fishing_ch2_combating_cold.pdf

Preventing Hypothermia

Learn more about hypothermia, including what to do if someone shows signs of hypothermia.

www.cdc.gov

 

[WINDSOR]

Out of curiosity, how many people have died in the month of May on Long Island of hypothermia in the last 50 years?
I bet it is pretty rare. In fact I believe there have been multiply times more homicides on Long Island in the same period of time. These statistics do not prove anything in Shannan's case.

However when you consider what happened that night, the individuals involved and other related events and circumstances, I believe Shannan died as a result of criminal activity. MOO

 

[FergusMcDuck]

Out of curiosity, how many people have died in the month of May on Long Island of hypothermia in the last 50 years?
I bet it is pretty rare. In fact I believe there have been multiply times more homicides on Long Island in the same period of time. These statistics do not prove anything in Shannan's case.

However when you consider what happened that night, the individuals involved and other related events and circumstances, I believe Shannan died as a result of criminal activity. MOO

I think statistics is the wrong way to look at this. What does the evidence say? It certainly points to hypothermia following an episode of paranoia. The 911 call backs it up.

 

[Baby baby Jane]

Statistics support conclusions that hypothermia can occur during warmer season. Data says more USA deaths from hypothermia In Spring, Summer, Fall combined than in Winter.
Common factors in warmer weather hypothermia deaths: drugs/alcohol, health issue, damp wet clothes/time spent in water and failure to get warm once temp is dropping. The drugs/alcohol contribute to person not getting warm. Not planning to get warm. And one of the phases of hypothermia - disorientation/confusion & removal of own clothes because start to feel hot as body stops functioning.

SG may have gotten very wet, in the marsh, also from morning dew which would occur in the reeds and make them wet. Exhaustion and lying down on the cold wet ground would also contribute to loss of body heat. There would be no way to warm up again in wet clothes without help or shelter.

Hypothermia-Related Deaths --- United States, 2003

Halting Hypothermia

If your body temperature drops too low, it can lead to a serious condition known as hypothermia. Learn to recognize the signs of this cold-weather hazard, and keep yourself and your family warm and safe.

newsinhealth.nih.gov

 

[Warwick7]

Out of curiosity, how many people have died in the month of May on Long Island of hypothermia in the last 50 years?
I bet it is pretty rare. In fact I believe there have been multiply times more homicides on Long Island in the same period of time. These statistics do not prove anything in Shannan's case.

However when you consider what happened that night, the individuals involved and other related events and circumstances, I believe Shannan died as a result of criminal activity. MOO

After reading all the depositions...I agree with you, "when you consider what happened that night, the individuals involved and other related events and circumstances, I believe Shannan died as a result of criminal activity."
There is no doubt in my mind.

As for her "paranoia" ....She did not have an unjustified suspicion and or mistrust of people around her.

Her guts were right on target. She was justified in calling 911. They said they were going to kill her, she told 911 that, and they did kill her. M00

 

[WINDSOR]

I think statistics is the wrong way to look at this. What does the evidence say? It certainly points to hypothermia following an episode of paranoia. The 911 call backs it up.

What evidence points to hypothermia? Shannan's decomposed skeletal remains. The pathologist looking carefully and closely at the evidence could not come up with a cause of death. If any bit of evidence that could be considered key, it is the missing hyoid bone.

Paranoia is a normal biological reaction (called the flight of fight syndrome) when someone is chasing you, please do not imply she was having a psychotic episode.

What about the evidence that Dr. Hackett treated her. He never reported that Shannan was displaying any psychotic behavior. He as a trained medical professional attending to her, and then he releases her. If Shannan was displaying any psychosis or drug induced behavior, Dr. Hackett should never have released her.

Regarding the 911 call; most people calling 911 will be under stress, duress or other emotional strain. They may not be completely coherent, may sound confused and agitated. That again is normal and describes Shannan's call.

 

[snooptroop88]

Unless Rex Heuermann is proven by the end of trial to himself be a source cause of hypothermia, it's not hypothermia, jmo.

They've charged him with Sandra Costilla. That's leading people to wonder if he didn't also murder Colleen McNamee and Rita Tangredi. The theory would be that yes, Bittrolff did indeed see sex workers that night, and the sex workers were brutally murdered. But someone else murdered them, which implies perhaps stalking by RH, and not just of the sex worker, but also the client. If that is the case, it would be clear how what happened that night-- happened: he was stalking both sex worker and client, and this time, it was Brewer.

But it doesn't even really need to get that complicated, honestly. To support this hypothermia claim, everyone keeps saying SG's case is "different." It's different because there was a 911 call that lasted many, many minutes; screaming that was probably heard a country mile away; banging on multiple doors; and a young woman audibly telling authorities she feared for her life, and that same young woman was found dead shortly thereafter. That's not what Rex Heuermann is "used to." There are remains up and down Ocean Parkway to attest to it. Before with RH, there was no screaming (on record), there was no panic (on record), there was no hysteria (on record), and there were no police. Heuermann plays a horrible game with LE. In HK, RH quotes Mindhunter, to understand the "artist," you must study the "art," the painting. So RH's solution is simple but stunning in its results: hide the paining. Make sure LE has nothing to "study," or an incomplete picture. And the sick strategy worked. But he can't really use the same strategy that night because if he decides to remove the body from the area, LE may cast a wider net in the search, and expand into other areas and nearby beaches, and RH knows what they are likely to find if they do. So I absolutely believe SG's case is "different." But to me, the way in which is differs is the crucial challenge it posed to a somewhat cornered SK. Things will not go according to RH's usual "plan" that night because LE will be able to assess the situation with a clearly demarcated starting point. If the body is moved, it will do RH more harm than good because LE will know where things started. And how'd RH handle his crisis? Deftly. And it almost worked-- again. There are still no charges against him for Shannan Gilbert. There may never be, but that doesn't mean he didn't kill her. And all things considered, there's a much, much more powerful case that he did than he didn't, jmo.

 

[FergusMcDuck]

What evidence points to hypothermia?

The clothes found at a distance from her body (and on a route between the last place she was seen and where she was found), with only swampland between them. If killed by a pursuer, the clothes would be by her (or on her). The killer would have no reason to strip her and then move her across the swamp. But people suffering from hypothermia often shed their clothes at some point. The clothes would also be wet and heavy from trekking through the swamp.

Shannan's decomposed skeletal remains. The pathologist looking carefully and closely at the evidence could not come up with a cause of death. If any bit of evidence that could be considered key, it is the missing hyoid bone.

Hardly key. Hyoid bone (not missing, but lacking it's greater horn) would be one of the first things to go after more than one year exposed to nature and the elements.

Paranoia is a normal biological reaction (called the flight of fight syndrome) when someone is chasing you, please do not imply she was having a psychotic episode.

But who was chasing her? She never says

What about the evidence that Dr. Hackett treated her. He never reported that Shannan was displaying any psychotic behavior. He as a trained medical professional attending to her, and then he releases her. If Shannan was displaying any psychosis or drug induced behavior, Dr. Hackett should never have released her.

If Hackett wasn't just inserting himself in the case for attention (and based on his other claims I'd say the odds are good he was), then he would have given her a sedative for a reason. And if she then rushed out quickly into the swamp, then the sedative could have kicked in and caused her to lie down where she shouldn't.

Regarding the 911 call; most people calling 911 will be under stress, duress or other emotional strain. They may not be completely coherent, may sound confused and agitated. That again is normal and describes Shannan's call.

But she could never say who they were despite having many opportunities to do so. Brewer? She didn't want to leave his house. Pak? He would have no reason to harm her and they talked plenty during the 911 call. She knocked on doors but refused to speak to the inhabitants or enter their houses. Hackett was physically unlikely to be chasing anyone.

I don't doubt Shannan thought she was pursued, I just don't see any evidence anyone actually was.

Unless Rex Heuermann is proven by the end of trial to himself be a source cause of hypothermia, it's not hypothermia, jmo.

They've charged him with Sandra Costilla. That's leading people to wonder if he didn't also murder Colleen McNamee and Rita Tangredi. The theory would be that yes, Bittrolff did indeed see sex workers that night, and the sex workers were brutally murdered. But someone else murdered them, which implies perhaps stalking by RH, and not just of the sex worker, but also the client. If that is the case, it would be clear how what happened that night-- happened: he was stalking both sex worker and client, and this time, it was Brewer.

How would Rex stalk someone from a gated community out in the middle of nowhere? How would he know Brewer would pick just that night to call for a sex worker? And if he was there, why wouldn't Shannan just say so? Why run from Pak or Colletti?

But it doesn't even really need to get that complicated, honestly. To support this hypothermia claim, everyone keeps saying SG's case is "different." It's different because there was a 911 call that lasted many, many minutes; screaming that was probably heard a country mile away; banging on multiple doors; and a young woman audibly telling authorities she feared for her life, and that same young woman was found dead shortly thereafter.

What was the plan? Shannan had a driver parked outside. Was Rex going to snatch her as she walked to the car and hope no one noticed?

That's not what Rex Heuermann is "used to." There are remains up and down Ocean Parkway to attest to it. Before with RH, there was no screaming (on record), there was no panic (on record), there was no hysteria (on record), and there were no police. Heuermann plays a horrible game with LE. In HK, RH quotes Mindhunter, to understand the "artist," you must study the "art," the painting. So RH's solution is simple but stunning in its results: hide the paining. Make sure LE has nothing to "study," or an incomplete picture. And the sick strategy worked. But he can't really use the same strategy that night because if he decides to remove the body from the area, LE may cast a wider net in the search, and expand into other areas and nearby beaches, and RH knows what they are likely to find if they do. So I absolutely believe SG's case is "different." But to me, the way in which is differs is the crucial challenge it posed to a somewhat cornered SK. Things will not go according to RH's usual "plan" that night because LE will be able to assess the situation with a clearly demarcated starting point. If the body is moved, it will do RH more harm than good because LE will know where things started. And how'd RH handle his crisis? Deftly. And it almost worked-- again. There are still no charges against him for Shannan Gilbert. There may never be, but that doesn't mean he didn't kill her. And all things considered, there's a much, much more powerful case that he did than he didn't, jmo.

I really don't see it. That area was where Rex buried his victims - the identifiable parts of the early ones and the full remains of the later ones. If anything, he would have a good reason not to take and/or kill women too close.

 

[snooptroop88]

(snipped for length)
How would Rex stalk someone from a gated community out in the middle of nowhere? How would he know Brewer would pick just that night to call for a sex worker? And if he was there, why wouldn't Shannan just say so? Why run from Pak or Colletti?

What was the plan? Shannan had a driver parked outside. Was Rex going to snatch her as she walked to the car and hope no one noticed?
(snipped for length)

But this "gated" community wasn't like some impenetrable fortress. I've "streetviewed" through the area, you'd likely be able to enter on foot. And you could find a parking space, too, outside the gates but I would think relatively near the gatehouse, possibly with an actual view of the gatehouse to some extent. You'd undoubtedly be able to get a parking space to see a vehicle coming to or leaving that community, or position yourself on foot in such a way as to get that view. And also, SG left that house with Brewer that night for a time to run an errand. I do think RH killed her, and I don't think this was his first encounter with her, either. Yes, I do think he may have been stalking her that night, but it was more for "surveillance" and "recon." And re: Colletti, he made some interesting comment to her, too, something like don't get yourself hurt. I know this is picky, but a comment like that seems to be dismissive already of her insistence that someone else is going to be hurting her. Meaning it's already assumed the "threat" is some phantom fear of hers. And as for how "gated" Oak Beach was, I just checked Lost Girls, p 174, you could walk right past the gate.

As for the driver, remember RH picked up Amber at her own home with a witness and went on to murder her regardless.

RSBMFF

I really don't see it. That area was where Rex buried his victims - the identifiable parts of the early ones and the full remains of the later ones. If anything, he would have a good reason not to take and/or kill women too close.

Agreed, and I don't think he necessarily intended to murder her that night. Things didn't go according to plan. I think he made contact of some kind with her that night and terrified her, and possibly "miss-led" her on purpose. Once the screaming started and LE was called, he had to kill her, planned or not. It's a theory only, but I absolutely do not think SG was any "accident." I'm not 100% committed as to how RH did it at this point. But I am 100% committed to the fact that she was murdered and it was almost certainly RH. While I know the explanations I'm offering are vague, I don't live in NY and cannot actually drive out there to look at the scene. But I've wondered why the explanations for the "natural causes" on the part of LE are so vague, as LE has full access to the area and evidence. Even now when I google, I get "exposure" OR "drowning." Basically, you know, just-- something! But NOT murder...

 

[FergusMcDuck]

But this "gated" community wasn't like some impenetrable fortress. I've "streetviewed" through the area, you'd likely be able to enter on foot. And you could find a parking space, too, outside the gates but I would think relatively near the gatehouse, possibly with an actual view of the gatehouse to some extent. You'd undoubtedly be able to get a parking space to see a vehicle coming to or leaving that community, or position yourself on foot in such a way as to get that view. And also, SG left that house with Brewer that night for a time to run an errand. I do think RH killed her, and I don't think this was his first encounter with her, either. Yes, I do think he may have been stalking her that night, but it was more for "surveillance" and "recon."

Do you think he followed her from Astoria where Pak picked up Shannan, then waited for a call?

And re: Colletti, he made some interesting comment to her, too, something like don't get yourself hurt.

But what does that mean? If Shannan feared Rex, why would she not accept Colletti's help? Or Pak's for that matter. All she had to do was get in Pak's car and she'd be safe, yet she ran past it twice, once at Brewer's, once at Colletti's.

I know this is picky, but a comment like that seems to be dismissive already of her insistence that someone else is going to be hurting her. Meaning it's already assumed the "threat" is some phantom fear of hers. And as for how "gated" Oak Beach was, I just checked Lost Girls, p 174, you could walk right past the gate.

As for the driver, remember RH picked up Amber at her own home with a witness and went on to murder her regardless.

Well, a. in that case he didn't wait for her to visit a john and snatch her afterwards, so if he used that tactic in the 90s, by that time he seemed to have changed his m.o. And b. picking someone up outside a house is very different from snatching someone between the house and the car with the driver waiting, if that was indeed his plan.

Agreed, and I don't think he necessarily intended to murder her that night. Things didn't go according to plan. I think he made contact of some kind with her that night and terrified her, and possibly "miss-led" her on purpose. Once the screaming started and LE was called, he had to kill her, planned or not. It's a theory only, but I absolutely do not think SG was any "accident." I'm not 100% committed as to how RH did it at this point. But I am 100% committed to the fact that she was murdered and it was almost certainly RH. While I know the explanations I'm offering are vague, I don't live in NY and cannot actually drive out there to look at the scene.

But that doesn't explain why he would remove her clothes in the swamp, then take her quite some distance through the same swamp to where he left her body.

But I've wondered why the explanations for the "natural causes" on the part of LE are so vague, as LE has full access to the area and evidence. Even now when I google, I get "exposure" OR "drowning." Basically, you know, just-- something! But NOT murder...

At a certain point, after a body has been outside for long, pinpointing an exact cause of death becomes difficult. A naked woman found lying in a swamp, with no sign of violence done to her, and no evidence of anyone else having been there, together with the statements from the witnesses, is enough to make "exposure" and "hypothermia" the most credible cause of death.