Shannan Gilbert Attorney Continues Fight To Release 911 Tapes

GILGO BEACH, NY — As the hunt for the Gilgo Beach killer continues, a lawyer for the woman whose disappearance led to the discover of 10 victims is fighting to release information to the public he says is important to the case.

Miller Place-based attorney, John Ray, has been representing Shannan Gilbert, a New Jersey escort who disappeared ten years ago after meeting a client for sex on Oak Beach leading to the discoveries of 10 sets of human remains believed to be the victims of a Long Island serial killer.

Last month, Ray attended a virtual court proceeding to fight to release the 911 tapes from the night of Gilbert's disappearance, which he says contains vital information.

"The tapes, if the public would know of them, would shock the public and probably upset the public," he told Patch. "It seems to me rather critical that the public know what's on the tape."

However, State Supreme Court Justice Sanford Berland denied Ray's request, siding with Suffolk County police who want to keep the tapes confidential due to the fact that it is still an "open, active investigation."

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"I don't see where public disclosure … is warranted here, or what it would advance in terms of your prosecution of your client's claim, especially in the face of the police department taking the position that it could have a negative effect on their work," Berland said, according to Newsday.

While he could not release the tape to the public, Ray was granted the right to convince the court to release the tape to a select group of people if he can provide a good reason to do so.

"I don't agree with [the judge] so I'm trying hard to convince him to change his mind and I have time to do that," he said.

He stated that after his next court appearance, the judge will render an order and if it doesn't go his way, he plans to appeal. In May, Ray hosted a press conference to announce to the public that he heard the tapes and first called for the public release of the call.

In response, Commissioner Geraldine Hart released the following statement:

The Court has implemented strict parameters to maintain the integrity of this ongoing investigation. We fully expect Mr. Ray to honor the requirement set out in the judge's order, and as such, the Department will decline to comment further.

In January, police released a "significant piece of evidence," in the Gilgo Beach murders — a black belt embossed with the letters "HM" or "WH" which they say did not belong to any of the victims.

On Friday, police released additional photos of the belt on gilgonews.com.