The remains of a woman believed to be the victim of a serial killer two decades ago has been identified as a woman last seen in Atlantic County.
Valerie Mack's remains were found Nov. 19, 2000, months after she was last seen by family in Port Republic.
The 24-year-old woman had been working as an escort in Philadelphia under the name Melissa Taylor. She was never reported missing.
Then, in 2011, more of her remains were found on Gilgo Beach, Long Island, along with five other women. All are believed to be the victims of a serial killer who mostly targeted prostitutes.
She was previously known as Jane Doe #6 until genetic genealogy was used to identify Mack. It is believed to be the first time New York state has used the technology in a police investigation.
The Gilgo Beach case garnered local attention due to similarities with four women found dead Nov. 20, 2006, near a strip of seedy motels along the Black Horse Pike in Egg Harbor Township's West Atlantic City sections.
In 2016, an A&E series about the Gilgo Beach case focused two episodes on the four women found in Egg Harbor Township.
None of the killings has been solved.
A website is dedicated to the Gilgo Beach case.
"Valerie Mack's identification represents progress in this investigation but there is much left to do," Suffolk County Police Commissioner Geraldine Hart said. "It is our hope that our efforts bring some sort of closure and peace to Valerie's family."
Any information should be reported through the website tip submission feature or by calling 1-800-220-TIPS, P3Tips.com
