The discovery of four deceased women in a drainage ditch near Atlantic City sent shockwaves through the community back in 2006.
Despite extensive media coverage and the assignment of over 100 investigators, the Unsolved murders, dubbed the “Eastbound Strangler,” remained unsolved, leaving the public both concerned and fearful for their safety
Recently, the arrest of a man charged with killing three women on a Long Island beach in 2010 has brought renewed attention to another long-dormant case: the Gilgo Beach serial killings. Unfortunately, this breakthrough only underscores a painful reality – numerous similar cases across the United States continue to remain open and unresolved.
The FBI has not disclosed the exact number of unsolved murders of sex workers in the country, but media accounts and statements from local authorities reveal a distressing pattern. From the discovery of nine women’s bodies along highways in Massachusetts to 11 victims found dead in New Mexico, and eight more found in the swamps of southern Louisiana, these unsolved murders persist. Additionally, killings of sex workers in cities like Chicago, New Haven, and Ohio remain mysteries. Sadly, this issue extends back to the 1880s when serial killers, especially those targeting sex workers, often evaded capture due to the vulnerability of their victims.
Gary Ridgway, known as the Green River killer, admitted to murdering 49 victims in Washington state, primarily targeting sex workers because he believed they would not be missed quickly, if at all
In November 2006, the discovery of four bodies near Atlantic City prompted an investigation, but over time, public interest waned, leaving families of the victims in anguish. Similar sentiments echo across various locations, where sex workers have fallen victim to violence, and many fear they won’t be remembered until their killers are caught.
Law enforcement agencies in different states continue to actively investigate these cases, but progress has been slow. In New Jersey, the motel where the four victims were found has been torn down in an attempt to improve the area’s reputation, but the pain of their loss remains.
Cases like the Gilgo Beach killings have sparked debates among online sleuths about possible connections to other unsolved murders, but concrete links have been elusive.
For the families left behind, every passing day without answers brings fresh agony, and advocates for sex workers, like Phoenix Calida, emphasize that law enforcement’s attitude towards these cases needs to change. Calida highlights that sex workers are often targeted because they are seen as easy prey who won’t be missed or quickly reported.
While the recent breakthrough in the Long Island case has provided hope, it serves as a reminder that numerous “Unsolved Murders” involving sex workers persist, and the fight for justice and recognition of their lives continues.
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