This article contains references to violence, sexual assault, and murder.
Netflix’s new crime docuseries,Gone Girls: The Long Island Serial Killer, provides new insight into one of America’s most infamous murder cases and was released some years after a movie adaptation of that case.Gone Girlsis a three-part docuseries focusing on a spree of killings that took place in the Gilgo Beach area of Long Island, New York over 28 years. The latest addition toNetflix’s growing list of true-crime documentaries,Gone Girlsincludes interviews with investigators, journalists, and relatives of the victims, who speak about the long investigation into the killings and the search for justice.
Gone Girlsis directed by Liz Garbus, and focuses mainly onthe timeline of the Long Island serial killings, who the victims were, and how their families eventually came together in their search to discover the identity of the killer. Notably, the Netflix docuseries was released four years after Garbus directed the mystery drama movie,Lost Girls, which also focuses on the unsolved murdersand the families' long wait for justice.The movie and the docuseries are complementary, offering different insights into the Long Island serial killings,with the 2024 three-part series adding new vital information to the ongoing investigation.
Why Lost Girls' Director Made A Documentary About The Same Case 4 Years Later
Lost Girls Was Released On Netflix In 2020
Released on Netflix in 2020,Lost Girlswas adapted from the bookLost Girls: An Unsolved American Mysteryby Robert Kolker, who was interviewed as part of theGone Girlsdocuseries.Lost Girlsfocuses on the 2010 disappearance of 24-year-old Shannan Gilbert, the initial investigation, and how it led to the discovery of the bodies of four women, labeled in the media asThe Gilgo Four. The investigation into Shannan’s disappearance ultimately led to the discovery of 11 bodies buried near Gilgo Beach.Lost Girlswas Liz Garbus' first narrative movie and was inspired by a script by Michael Werwie,which steered the story (viaCollider).
In an interview withVulture, Garbus stated that the case of the Long Island serial killings always stayed with her, and she worked closely with the victims' families throughout production to understand these events better. In the years following the movie’s release, there have been new updates in the case, includingthe arrest of suspect Rex Heuermann in 2024; Heuermann has been charged with seven murders and is currently awaiting trial. In light of these developments, Garbus decided to createGone Girls, stating she felt she “had to bring this full circle"regarding the case (viaVariety).
What Gone Girls Reveals About The Long Island Serial Killer Case
The Docuseries Discusses The Hindered Investigation & The Search For The Killer
While Garbus' movieLost Girlsprovides perspective on Mari Gilbert’s search for her daughter and campaign for answers about her death,Gone Girlsexpands on this, examining the similarities between the victims and recounting new details about the investigation. In 2022, Rodney Harrison and Ray Tierney were appointed as Suffolk County Police Commissioner and District Attorney, respectively.Gone Girlsreveals that their team used technology, police reports, and witness descriptions to pinpoint a suspect. In episode 3, Author Robert Kolker remarks that the team “were able to do in six weeks what no one else was able to do in 12 years.”
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Gone Girlsalso explores the hindered investigation into the killingsandwhat happened to Detective Jimmy Burke, who served as Suffolk County Police Chief between 2012 and 2015. The docuseries highlights how Burke’s refusal to work with the FBI during the investigation led to the murder case remaining unsolved for over 12 years, with no clear suspect. It was also revealed that Burke and former district attorney, Thomas Spota, had been involved in covering up a 2012 assault and alleged sexual misconduct during their investigation. In 2016, Burke was sentenced to 46 months in prison for obstruction of justice and deprivation of civil rights.
Was The Lost Girls Movie Accurate?
The Movie Was Adapted From Real Events
Again,Lost Girlswas adapted from the book, partially of the same name, that Robert Kolker wrote before he was interviewed as an expert for theGone Girlsdocuseries.Lost Girlsis based on the true eventsof the original investigation into the disappearance of Shannan Gilbert, which led to the discovery of further remains buried in the Gilgo Beach area between 2010 and 2011.Lost Girlswas praised by critics for its cast, direction, and accuracyin its depiction of the real investigation into the killings and the media’s coverage.
10 Best Feature Length True Crime Documentaries
Many of the best true crime documentaries aren’t produced as a series but as a feature-length format that makes for an epic and captivating watch.
WhileLost Girlsdoescontain some dramatizations of real events,it offers an accurate depiction ofthe story of Mari Gilbert, Shannan’s mother, and how she relentlessly campaigned for information regarding her daughter’s disappearance and her frustrations with law enforcement. The movie depicts Shannan Gilbert’s 9-1-1 call before she disappeared and how investigators initially did not take the disappearances seriously due to the victims' connections to the sex work industry.LostGirlsalso contains many powerful quotesthat reflect on the efforts made by Mari Gilbert and others to find answers throughout the years.
Gone Girls & Lost Girls Are Both Worth Watching
The Two Projects Offer Different Perspectives On The Serial Killings
BothLost GirlsandGone Girlsoffer standout perspectives on the Long Island serial killings and are certainly worth watching for those who want to learn more about the case. TheLost Girlsmovie offers a powerful and inspiring story of how one woman’s determination to uncover the truth about her daughter’s disappearance and her push of law enforcement to find the truth led to the discovery of the bodies and properly launched the investigation into this notorious killing spree. Additionally,Lost Girlsdepicts the harrowing impact the victims' deaths had on their familiesandis an essential watch afterGoneGirls.
Lost Girls depicts the harrowing impact the victims' deaths had on their families and is an essential watch after Gone Girls.
Meanwhile,GoneGirlspicks up fromLostGirls' endingand expands on the events, providing insight into the new developments in the case and explaining why it took 12 years for law enforcement to apprehend and charge a suspect in connection to the murders. Similar toLostGirls, the Netflix docuseries gives viewers a better understanding of who the victims were and the flaws in the original investigation that left their deaths unsolved for more than a decade. Liz Garbus' direction of both the movie andGoneGirlshelps provide an insightful and heartbreaking view of the Long Island serial killings and the long fight for justice for the victims.
