Mother of slain sex worker found dead, other daughter charged

ELLENVILLE, N.Y. – The mother of a sex worker whose disappearance led to the discovery of 10 sets of human remains strewn along Long Island’s Gilgo Beach was found dead in her apartment and another daughter has been charged in the killing, the family’s attorney and police said Sunday.

The body of Mari Gilbert, 52, was found around 2:15 p.m. Saturday inside her Ellenville apartment in the Catskills, police said.

Sarra Elizabeth Gilbert, 27, was arraigned on murder and weapons possession charges, Ellenville police said in a release on Facebook.

READ MORE: Police searching for possible NY serial killer find 2 more sets of bones, brings total to 10

Family attorney John Ray said a small handgun was recovered. The daughter was being held without bail at the Ulster County Jail. She was scheduled to appear in court Tuesday.

Sarra Elizabeth Gilbert suffered from serious mental disabilities and had been charged several months ago with fatally stabbing her dog, Ray said in a telephone interview. He said she had lived on and off with her mother.

Mari Gilbert’s other daughter, Shannan Gilbert, vanished in May 2010 after fleeing the home of a client in Oak Beach, New York. The search for the missing woman led to the surprise discovery of 11 sets of human remains, including hers. No one has ever been arrested in any of the killings. But investigators believe a possible serial killer – perhaps more than one – is responsible.