Mari Gilbert (June 22, 1964 – July 23, 2016) was an American

activist Activism (or Advocacy) consists of efforts to promote, impede, direct or intervene in social, political, economic or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good. Forms of activism range fr ...

and murder victim advocate.

Biography

Gilbert was an advocate for her daughter, Shannan, a 24-year-old woman from New Jersey who disappeared in May 2010. The investigation of Shannan's disappearance led to the discovery of the remains of 10 homicide victims scattered along Ocean Parkway in New York. Investigators believed that Shannan died of an accidental

drowning Drowning is a type of suffocation induced by the submersion of the mouth and nose in a liquid. Most instances of fatal drowning occur alone or in situations where others present are either unaware of the victim's situation or unable to offer a ...

that was unrelated to the crimes of the

Long Island serial killer The Long Island serial killer (also referred to as LISK, the Gilgo Beach Killer, the Manorville Butcher, and the Craigslist Ripper) is an unidentified suspected serial killer who is believed to have murdered between 10 and 18 people over a p ...

, but Gilbert challenged the finding and fought to have the case reopened as a murder investigation. An independent autopsy sought by Gilbert's family found that Shannan may have been strangled to death. Gilbert and her other daughters, Sarra and Sherre, frequently appeared on television shows discussing the case.

Death

Gilbert was stabbed to death by her 27-year-old daughter Sarra in Sarra's apartment building on Warren Street in

Ellenville, New York Ellenville is a village within the town of Wawarsing, Ulster County, New York, United States. Its population was 4,135 at the 2010 census. Geography The village of Ellenville is about 90 miles northwest of New York City and 90 miles southwest ...

, on July 23, 2016. Her daughter suffered from

schizophrenia Schizophrenia is a mental disorder characterized by continuous or relapsing episodes of psychosis. Major symptoms include hallucinations (typically hearing voices), delusions, and disorganized thinking. Other symptoms include social wi ...

, with one report claiming that she "had voices in her head telling her to carry out the crime." Sarra was charged with second-degree murder and fourth-degree possession of a weapon, convicted of murder, and sentenced to 25 years in prison in August 2017. She is imprisoned in the

Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women Bedford Hills Correctional Facility for Women a women's prison in the town of Bedford, New York, is the largest women's prison in New York state. The prison previously opened under the name Westfield State Farm in 1901. It lies just outside th ...

In popular culture

* In the 2020 Netflix original film ''

Lost Girls Lost Girls or Lost Girl may refer to: Film and television * ''Lost Girls'' (film), a 2020 American drama mystery film * ''The Lost Girls'' (film), an upcoming adaptation of the novel by Laurie Fox * '' Lost Girl'', a 2010–2015 Canadian supernat ...

'', Gilbert is portrayed by

Amy Ryan Amy Beth Dziewiontkowski, known professionally as Amy Ryan, is an American actress of stage and screen. A graduate of New York's High School of Performing Arts, she is an Academy Award nominee and two-time Tony Award nominee. Ryan began her pro ...

. * In the 2021 Lifetime television film ''The Long Island Serial Killer: A Mother's Hunt for Justice'', Gilbert is portrayed by

Kim Delaney Kim Delaney (born November 29, 1961) is an American actress known for her starring role as Detective Diane Russell on the ABC drama television series '' NYPD Blue'', for which she won an Emmy Award. Early in her career, she played the role of ...

References

External links

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Gilbert, Mari American activists American television personalities American women television personalities 1964 births 2016 deaths American murder victims Matricides People murdered in New York (state) Violence against women in New York (state) deaths by stabbing in New York (state) 2016 murders in the United States Female murder victims