Liz Garbus, an Oscar-nominated documentarian, recalls the moment she received the heartbreaking news of Mari Gilbert’s death. It was during a dinner with journalist friends when she learned that Mari had been killed by her daughter Sarra during a psychotic break. This incident occurred while Garbus was in the process of adapting Robert Kolker’s book “Lost Girls” into a film. Mari, a force-of-nature mother and activist, had left a lasting impression on Garbus, who was telling the story of a prolific serial killer on Long Island, New York who had not yet been caught.
The focus of the story shifted to Mari’s eldest daughter, Shannan, who went missing in 2010 after meeting a man near Gilgo Beach. Initially dismissed by authorities as another missing sex worker, Shannan’s disappearance led to the discovery of nearly a dozen bodies in the area, known as the Gilgo Beach murders. The case shocked many, including Garbus and her dinner companions, who were captivated by the layers and ripple effects of the investigation.
In 2023, an arrest was finally made in the case. Rex Heuermann, an architect who lived on Long Island, was charged with the murders. The new task force formed by the Suffolk County Police Department was able to locate Heuermann in less than six weeks, a feat that the previous investigation had failed to achieve in 12 years.
Garbus, determined to tell the stories of the victims and their loved ones, created the docuseries “Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer.” The series delves into the support network formed by the mothers, sisters, daughters, and friends of the victims who advocated for justice when their deaths were dismissed due to their professions.
Throughout the series, Garbus focuses on the resilience of these women and the impact of the crimes on their lives. She emphasizes the importance of highlighting the stories of the victims and their families, rather than sensationalizing the perpetrator. Garbus’s deliberate approach to storytelling sets her work apart in a genre oversaturated with sensationalized true crime documentaries.
As the documentary industry faces challenges and changes, Garbus remains committed to producing quality content that tells important stories. While the future of “Gone Girls” remains uncertain, Garbus plans to continue supporting the families of the victims and being a voice for them during the upcoming trial. Their trust and their stories are something she does not take for granted.
