Police: FBI to assist in Gilgo investigation

The FBI will assist the Suffolk County Police Department in the Gilgo Beach murders investigation.

Deputy Police Commissioner Tom Sini announced the closer partnership with the FBI during a news conference Thursday afternoon.

"Upon our request, [The FBI] is going to take a more active and prominent role in the investigation so we can ensure we're doing everything to solve these murders," said Sini.

Friday will mark five years since the first body was found near Gilgo Beach. Months of searching for missing escort Shannan Gilbert turned up a total of 10 other sets of human remains.  

Sini said the request for assistance was the result of new leadership doing a "top-to-bottom" assessment of the department. He said the FBI has consistently been involved in the case.

John Ray, an attorney for Shannon Gilbert's family, said the FBI hasn't been involved in the investigation since 2011.

"I was told on good information that the FBI was told by the district attorney of Suffolk to stay out of the case," Ray told News 12.