It’s been more than a decade since 11 sets of human remains were discovered along Ocean Parkway on Long Island. No suspects have been arrested. Now, elected officials want to review the Suffolk County Police’s handling of the Gilgo Beach murder investigations.
New York state Sen. Phil Boyle wants New York Attorney General Letitia James to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the investigators — in particular ex-police chief James Burke, who blocked the FBI from working on the case.
“Who in their right mind would kick the FBI out of a serial killer investigation? There’s something more to it,” Boyle said.
Boyle also wants County Executive Steve Bellone to explain why he didn’t fire Burke for kicking out the FBI. And Boyle wants the current police chief to explain whether Burke was ever questioned about his whereabouts when the victims disappeared.
Burke pled guilty in 2016 to assaulting a handcuffed man and trying to cover it up.
“The Gilgo Beach homicide investigation continues to be a top priority for the Suffolk County Police Department," a spokesperson said in a statement. "The department has detectives who are solely dedicated to this investigation."
Police said the department is "working closely" with both the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office and with the FBI. However, the department "does not comment on suspects in any criminal investigation."