Possible Victim: Valerie Mack, 24, Manorville Jane Doe #6, missing 2000, found Nov 2000 & Gilgo Beach Apr 2011

[Manwel]

I'm from this area and Port Republic isn't far from where they found the Atlantic City 4. Port Republic is a very small rural kind of town. You can go swimming there and there is a store that makes really good subs but, other than that there isn't much there. In my opinion she must have known someone who lives there because Port Republic is off the beaten path and not a town you would pass through coming or going to AC or Philly.

The ABC7 article says she was last seen by family in Port Republic, so that's likely where family lives. I doubt she was picked up by murderer there.

 

[eagleyeseymour]

The ABC7 article says she was last seen by family in Port Republic, so that's likely where family lives. I doubt she was picked up by murderer there.

Just odd a missing persons report was never filed if she was that close to family. Wasn't she from the Philly area?

 

[maineiacgirl]

I'm from this area and Port Republic isn't far from where they found the Atlantic City 4. Port Republic is a very small rural kind of town. You can go swimming there and there is a store that makes really good subs but, other than that there isn't much there. In my opinion she must have known someone who lives there because Port Republic is off the beaten path and not a town you would pass through coming or going to AC or Philly.

Lady. I'm curious. Are there salvage yards in the area? Where one may shop for used auto parts?

 

[Mopac Megalo]

I’ve listened to all available episodes, have learned something new with each one, and am anxious to see/hear what’s to come. I hope more ears are listening too; it’s beyond time to solve this case.

Couldn't agree more. This case needs resolution and I'm thankful for the recent traction, including the identification of Valerie Mack (Jane Doe #6).

 

[Manwel]

Also same area where Bittrolff resides prior to incarceration, he is still listed as the homeowner at 167 Silas Carter Rd. which is a mere 3.7 miles from Halsey Manor Rd. in Manorville.

I believe that Bittrolf is responsible for Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor. It'll be interesting to hear season 2 of the LISK podcast, apparently they spoke to Bittrolf and his wife who still maintain his innocence for Rita & Coleen's murders.

Pine Barrens are a well known dump spot but this is right in his backyard. What thickens the plot is that Mack was last seen in the Atlantic City area in 2000, way before craigslist and backpage became a sex-industry standard for Johns and Workers alike.

It makes you wonder if the 4 in AC are linked to LI ....

I dunno. They all went missing in the same space of time (October/November 2006) in the same area and were found together, spaced apart, fully clothed, no dismemberment. Two of them reportedly new each other. They sound very different from the dismemberment MO related to Valerie Mack, who was found in another state entirely.

 

[ladyrider223]

Lady. I'm curious. Are there salvage yards in the area? Where one may shop for used auto parts?

I live in NC now but there is 1 salvage yard in MaysLanding about 10 miles away. There was another salvage yard in the area but can't remember exactly where but it was nearby. Both sell used auto parts.

 

[Manwel]

Just odd a missing persons report was never filed if she was that close to family. Wasn't she from the Philly area?

I wouldn't mistake missing persons reports as an indication of closeness. I've heard of parents who were deluded into believing their child was a runaway and will return to them when they're good and ready even if it's been 30 years because they don't want to contemplate foul play involved in their child's sudden absence. I think it was the Tammy Jo Alexander case where the only reason a missing persons report was filed in 2014 was because a high school friend and half-sister made it happen. Her mother never filed one because her mother was a mess. Totally possible they assumed she left town for a "better life somewhere else," as cliched as that belief is, or they tried to file and just got no traction from cops who didn't want to listen. Who knows?

 

[eagleyeseymour]

I dunno. They all went missing in the same space of time (October/November 2006) in the same area and were found together, spaced apart, fully clothed, no dismemberment. Two of them reportedly new each other. They sound very different from the dismemberment MO related to Valerie Mack, who was found in another state entirely.

Bittrolf has been killing since the 90's , so the time frame angle is not one I invest much in. If he was capable of heinous acts in the early 90's, he was still capable of the same a decade later.

He was convicted via DNA evidence of disposing of his previous victims in wooded areas extremely close to where he resided at the time.

Why Macks region of origin is significant is because the Killer likely picked her up there and then brought her back to LI. Atlantic City is a popular destination for many along the eastern seaboard, and also happens to be where there is another unsolved case of 4 Sex Workers being dumped side by side, see: Eastbound Strangler.

There is this idea that an MO can't change or that disposal methods remain the same with Serial Killers, this is not necessarily true and there could be many factors/circumstances that cause a killer to make changes. As far as AC is concerned, if the Killer was from LI, he likely wouldn't have place or tools to dismember in Atlantic City since it isn't his home base. Bittrolf was a carpenter and hunter, a homeowner on LI. If he was visiting AC he wouldn't have the ability to do the same thing he could back home.

Just a theory, I'm not saying Bittrolf killed Mack for certain or that he is responsible for the GB4. In the sub-culture and seedy underworld of the commercial sex business, the Johns certainly do sex tourism and AC is a destination where one could satisfy many vices at once.

In summary, a killer on LI may have the advantage of time, tools, privacy and familiarity with the area. Now when that same guy is in Atlantic City, he no longer has that.

 

[cocomod]

Gilgo Beach murder victim identified as 24-year-old Valerie Mack

So sad, she wasn't even a missing case here on WS.

 

[cocomod]

Valerie Mack Additional Info

Interviews were conducted of possible relatives who provided investigators with further DNA samples which were then processed and analyzed.

After processing and evaluating the newly gained DNA samples against the known DNA of MANORVILLE JANE DOE, a positive identification was confirmed and we are revealing the true identity of MANORVILLE JANE DOE to be that of VALERIE MACK, born 07-02-76 whose last known address was in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

VALERIE MACK was a white female, 24 years old when she was last seen. She was described as being 5 feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes weighing approximately 100 pounds. Valerie was never listed as a missing person.

VALERIE MACK was working as an escort in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and used the name MELISSA TAYLOR as an A.K.A. There is no familial relationship between her and Jessica Taylor.

 

[maineiacgirl]

I think anyone would be short sighted to write Bittrof off for any of these killings. Jessica Taylor had come to NY shortly before her death, it's possible Valerie Mack did as well. Or any number of these unfortunate unidentified persons. Part of the problem identifying them is because of the fact so many people come this way from all over. I'm not native to NY and yet, here I am.

Bittrolf has been killing since the 90's , so the time frame angle is not one I invest much in. If he was capable of heinous acts in the early 90's, he was still capable of the same a decade later.

He was convicted via DNA evidence of disposing of his previous victims in wooded areas extremely close to where he resided at the time.

Why Macks region of origin is significant is because the Killer likely picked her up there and then brought her back to LI. Atlantic City is a popular destination for many along the eastern seaboard, and also happens to be where there is another unsolved case of 4 Sex Workers being dumped side by side, see: Eastbound Strangler.

There is this idea that an MO can't change or that disposal methods remain the same with Serial Killers, this is not necessarily true and there could be many factors/circumstances that cause a killer to make changes. As far as AC is concerned, if the Killer was from LI, he likely wouldn't have place or tools to dismember in Atlantic City since it isn't his home base. Bittrolf was a carpenter and hunter, a homeowner on LI. If he was visiting AC he wouldn't have the ability to do the same thing he could back home.

Just a theory, I'm not saying Bittrolf killed Mack for certain or that he is responsible for the GB4. In the sub-culture and seedy underworld of the commercial sex business, the Johns certainly do sex tourism and AC is a destination where one could satisfy many vices at once.

In summary, a killer on LI may have the advantage of time, tools, privacy and familiarity with the area. Now when that same guy is in Atlantic City, he no longer has that.

 

[maineiacgirl]

I wouldn't mistake missing persons reports as an indication of closeness. I've heard of parents who were deluded into believing their child was a runaway and will return to them when they're good and ready even if it's been 30 years because they don't want to contemplate foul play involved in their child's sudden absence. I think it was the Tammy Jo Alexander case where the only reason a missing persons report was filed in 2014 was because a high school friend and half-sister made it happen. Her mother never filed one because her mother was a mess. Totally possible they assumed she left town for a "better life somewhere else," as cliched as that belief is, or they tried to file and just got no traction from cops who didn't want to listen. Who knows?

True. My husband has not spoken to his mother since 1981 and yet he's alive and (mostly) well.

 

[Mrs. Badcrumble]

Yeah, I wonder what the "challengers" are. No DNA? No cooperation with family if DNA had a hit? Clerical errors? Could be anything.

Could be anything, as you say, but DNA Doe Project has been vocal about the lack of GEDmatch uploads and opt-ins from POC, Asians, indigenous peoples, etc., and hits are usually quite scarce when compared to results from European Caucasians. Several of their toughest cases are non-Caucasian, btw. This might be the case with the Asian male and the toddler (is Peaches being tested, too?).

Edit to clarify: The DNA Doe Project is not the ones working with the LISK victims.

 

[carbuff]

I flagged mods to get the title updated with her name.

 

[FullMinder]

Yeah, I wonder what the "challengers" are. No DNA? No cooperation with family if DNA had a hit? Clerical errors? Could be anything.

@Danse_Macabre I took it to mean challenges related to the investigative aspect of geneology like smaller reference panels and a lack of paper trails. Don't know. But does anyone know if Nassau is doing this work with Peaches and Jane Doe #7's DNA? Also: Serial Murder: Pathways for Investigations | Federal Bureau of Investigation
nb. Body Disposal Pathways and Investigative Suggestions, crime scenes, trophies, and profiling an unknown serial offender who changed pathways.

One thing to know about Long Island re: the Pine Barrens and Ocean Parkway (and even the other big parks like Hempstead re: Peaches). If you grew up here like I did and you were thinking about places where you'd go to hide a dead body or multiple bodies, your obvious first choice would be the Pine Barrens. It's a forest surrounded by farms and small, quiet towns. But you'd soon realize that it's actually a <modsnip> spot for a long-term solution because the woods are busy with hunters of all sorts, hikers, bikers, scientists doing conservation work. Where Mack and Taylor's bodies were placed was essentually right off the LIE. Our major highway, which is busy any time of year, any time of day or night. i.e. increased chance of discovery of the body and witness sightings.

The thing about Ocean Parkway is that you could quickly hop on the Robert Moses Causeway from any town in the vicinity (even up to the north shore via the Sagtikos), turn onto Ocean Parkway, dump a body, and quickly hop back on the Wantagh Parkway to get home. It's a loop system.

Every single Long Islander knows that stretch of road along the beach because we all grew up going to those beaches when we were kids. And our kids go to those beaches each summer - and so will their kids. Actually, that drive over the bridge and along the parkway gives you nostalgia, HUGE nastolgia, if you grew up here. To an outsider, it may seem creepy and remote, but we on LI all know that road well - and we all know how remote it is at night.

My point is that it doesn't take a genius or someone with specialized knowledge to get to the conclusion LISK did: "Hmm I've just killed someone. Where can I put this person so that I don't get caught? I'll put half of her in the woods and half of her.... *Lightbulb!* down by the beach." And he's done. And in 10-40 minutes depending on his town, he's back home. If the Lattingtown/Gold Charm Jane Doe is part of LISK's victims, and I think she is, then you could assume LISK is familiar with the north shore and that's a horse of a different color. (Because not everyone on LI knows those small beaches and the small, private roads you take to get to them.)

 

[jollyjustice]

“After processing and evaluating the newly gained DNA samples against the known DNA of MANORVILLE JANE DOE, a positive identification was confirmed and we are revealing the true identity of MANORVILLE JANE DOE to be that of VALERIE MACK, born 07-02-76 whose last known address was in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area.

VALERIE MACK was a white female, 24 years old when she was last seen. She was described as being 5 feet tall with brown hair and hazel eyes weighing approximately 100 pounds. Valerie was never listed as a missing person.

VALERIE MACK was working as an escort in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area and used the name MELISSA TAYLOR as an A.K.A. There is no familial relationship between her and Jessica Taylor.

Family members last saw her in the Spring/Summer of 2000 in the area of Port Republic, New Jersey.

She is survived by family members whose identity will be kept confidential.”

Valerie Mack Additional Info

I always suspected that Bittroff was possibly involved with a few of the victims that were found on the beach and the gilgo4 was committed by LISK. The petite body type of Valerie Mack is the exact same as the gilgo4 though , just a coincidence, or???

 

[jessr927]

I think there may be a link between Valerie Mack and Jessica Taylor.

Jessica
5'3", 125, brown hair, green eyes

Valerie
5'0", 100, brown hair, hazel eyes

Both have records of prostitution in Atlantic City area

Both early 20s

Both bodies found in Manorville and both heads and hands found on Ocean Parkway

It could be a coincidence that Valerie used the alias Melissa Taylor, or maybe not.

Also wonder if Fire Island Jane Doe is connected.

 

[maineiacgirl]

So why do you feel he felt the need to spread the parts out like that ? Why not just dump them on the parkway, or Manorville area ? Why travel such a distance with body parts in your vehicle? We know the risk of that from another famous LISK. I also think this person doesn't own a boat (or at least not a lifetime, avid boater) as some are so certain of. If there were a boat available, I would think a watery grave would be far more permanent. Remember early on when so many were insisting the bodies were placed on the parkway via boat ? That was the most ridiculous assertion I remember. Anyone guessing that has clearly never been to Ocean parkway.

I wouldn't mistake missing persons reports as an indication of closeness. I've heard of parents who were deluded into believing their child was a runaway and will return to them when they're good and ready even if it's been 30 years because they don't want to contemplate foul play involved in their child's sudden absence. I think it was the Tammy Jo Alexander case where the only reason a missing persons report was filed in 2014 was because a high school friend and half-sister made it happen. Her mother never filed one because her mother was a mess. Totally possible they assumed she left town for a "better life somewhere else," as cliched as that belief is, or they tried to file and just got no traction from cops who didn't want to listen. Who knows?

@Danse_Macabre I took it to mean challenges related to the investigative aspect of geneology like smaller reference panels and a lack of paper trails. Don't know. But does anyone know if Nassau is doing this work with Peaches and Jane Doe #7's DNA? Also: Serial Murder: Pathways for Investigations | Federal Bureau of Investigation
nb. Body Disposal Pathways and Investigative Suggestions, crime scenes, trophies, and profiling an unknown serial offender who changed pathways.

One thing to know about Long Island re: the Pine Barrens and Ocean Parkway (and even the other big parks like Hempstead re: Peaches). If you grew up here like I did and you were thinking about places where you'd go to hide a dead body or multiple bodies, your obvious first choice would be the Pine Barrens. It's a forest surrounded by farms and small, quiet towns. But you'd soon realize that it's actually a ****** spot for a long-term solution because the woods are busy with hunters of all sorts, hikers, bikers, scientists doing conservation work. Where Mack and Taylor's bodies were placed was essentually right off the LIE. Our major highway, which is busy any time of year, any time of day or night. i.e. increased chance of discovery of the body and witness sightings.

The thing about Ocean Parkway is that you could quickly hop on the Robert Moses Causeway from any town in the vicinity (even up to the north shore via the Sagtikos), turn onto Ocean Parkway, dump a body, and quickly hop back on the Wantagh Parkway to get home. It's a loop system.

Every single Long Islander knows that stretch of road along the beach because we all grew up going to those beaches when we were kids. And our kids go to those beaches each summer - and so will their kids. Actually, that drive over the bridge and along the parkway gives you nostalgia, HUGE nastolgia, if you grew up here. To an outsider, it may seem creepy and remote, but we on LI all know that road well - and we all know how remote it is at night.

My point is that it doesn't take a genius or someone with specialized knowledge to get to the conclusion LISK did: "Hmm I've just killed someone. Where can I put this person so that I don't get caught? I'll put half of her in the woods and half of her.... *Lightbulb!* down by the beach." And he's done. And in 10-40 minutes depending on his town, he's back home. If the Lattingtown/Gold Charm Jane Doe is part of LISK's victims, and I think she is, then you could assume LISK is familiar with the north shore and that's a horse of a different color. (Because not everyone on LI knows those small beaches and the small, private roads you take to get to them.)

 

[maineiacgirl]

So why do you feel he felt the need to spread the parts out like that ? Why not just dump them on the parkway, or Manorville area ? Why travel such a distance with body parts in your vehicle? We know the risk of that from another famous LISK. I also think this person doesn't own a boat (or at least not a lifetime, avid boater) as some are so certain of. If there were a boat available, I would think a watery grave would be far more permanent. Remember early on when so many were insisting the bodies were placed on the parkway via boat ? That was the most ridiculous assertion I remember. Anyone guessing that has clearly never been to Ocean parkway

@Danse_Macabre I took it to mean challenges related to the investigative aspect of geneology like smaller reference panels and a lack of paper trails. Don't know. But does anyone know if Nassau is doing this work with Peaches and Jane Doe #7's DNA? Also: Serial Murder: Pathways for Investigations | Federal Bureau of Investigation
nb. Body Disposal Pathways and Investigative Suggestions, crime scenes, trophies, and profiling an unknown serial offender who changed pathways.

One thing to know about Long Island re: the Pine Barrens and Ocean Parkway (and even the other big parks like Hempstead re: Peaches). If you grew up here like I did and you were thinking about places where you'd go to hide a dead body or multiple bodies, your obvious first choice would be the Pine Barrens. It's a forest surrounded by farms and small, quiet towns. But you'd soon realize that it's actually a ****** spot for a long-term solution because the woods are busy with hunters of all sorts, hikers, bikers, scientists doing conservation work. Where Mack and Taylor's bodies were placed was essentually right off the LIE. Our major highway, which is busy any time of year, any time of day or night. i.e. increased chance of discovery of the body and witness sightings.

The thing about Ocean Parkway is that you could quickly hop on the Robert Moses Causeway from any town in the vicinity (even up to the north shore via the Sagtikos), turn onto Ocean Parkway, dump a body, and quickly hop back on the Wantagh Parkway to get home. It's a loop system.

Every single Long Islander knows that stretch of road along the beach because we all grew up going to those beaches when we were kids. And our kids go to those beaches each summer - and so will their kids. Actually, that drive over the bridge and along the parkway gives you nostalgia, HUGE nastolgia, if you grew up here. To an outsider, it may seem creepy and remote, but we on LI all know that road well - and we all know how remote it is at night.

My point is that it doesn't take a genius or someone with specialized knowledge to get to the conclusion LISK did: "Hmm I've just killed someone. Where can I put this person so that I don't get caught? I'll put half of her in the woods and half of her.... *Lightbulb!* down by the beach." And he's done. And in 10-40 minutes depending on his town, he's back home. If the Lattingtown/Gold Charm Jane Doe is part of LISK's victims, and I think she is, then you could assume LISK is familiar with the north shore and that's a horse of a different color. (Because not everyone on LI knows those small beaches and the small, private roads you take to get to them.)

 

[eagleyeseymour]

I wouldn't mistake missing persons reports as an indication of closeness. I've heard of parents who were deluded into believing their child was a runaway and will return to them when they're good and ready even if it's been 30 years because they don't want to contemplate foul play involved in their child's sudden absence. I think it was the Tammy Jo Alexander case where the only reason a missing persons report was filed in 2014 was because a high school friend and half-sister made it happen. Her mother never filed one because her mother was a mess. Totally possible they assumed she left town for a "better life somewhere else," as cliched as that belief is, or they tried to file and just got no traction from cops who didn't want to listen. Who knows?

Fair point, however, these instances where beloved family members do not file a missing persons report are the anomaly. Often unreported missing persons are people who are estranged from their families or in the foster care system.

Curious to learn more about Mack and what the circumstances were surrounding her disappearance. If she was last seen in "Spring" or "Summer" by her family, that indicates to me they couldn't have been very close. I know if any of my loved ones disappeared without a trace, I'd remember when I last saw them.