Mother of Shannan Gilbert found dead; daughter charged

Mari Gilbert, 52, was found dead inside an Ellenville apartment at about 2:15 p.m. Her daughter, Sarra Gilbert, 27, was arrested and charged with murder and criminal possession of a weapon.

Mari Gilbert, mother of Shannan Gilbert, was killed in upstate Ulster County.

The mother of a woman who was found dead at Gilgo Beach was killed Saturday, and her other daughter is charged with second-degree murder, police say.

The remains of Gilbert, an Ellenville High School graduate, were found in December 2011. She is being held without bail.

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. At least four of the women, including Gilbert, worked as prostitutes, authorities have said. But investigators believe a possible serial killer — perhaps more than one — is responsible.

Her sister, Shannan Gilbert, 24, was a Craigslist escort from Jersey City, who was believed to be the final victim of a still unknown Long Island serial killer, who is also suspected of killing 11 other people.

Additional information surrounding Mari Gilbert’s death is expected to be released tomorrow afternoon during a press conference at Village Hall. “I was very angry as any parent should be, but as time went by I kind of realized that maybe that was her destiny to help other families”, Gilbert said then.

Mari Gilbert and her daughters after Shannan Gilbert was found dead on Gilgo Beach.

Ellenville Police were assisted by the Forensic Investigation Unit of the State Police, Uniform and Detectives, and URGENT members.