'LI Serial Killer' Panel Pulled From Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival

EAST HAMPTON, NY — A panel on the "Long Island Serial Killer," focusing on the Gilgo beach murders and organized as part of the first-ever "Hamptons Mystery & Crime Festival" — aka the "Hamptons Whodunit" — in East Hampton, was pulled from the event schedule out of respect for the victims' families after sparking controversy and public outcry.

The event, aimed at those who enjoy true crime books, thrillers, and mysteries, is slated to take place from April 13 to 16 and offers a full array of activities, including panels, graveyard tours, escape rooms, and more, with only the LISK panel pulled from the agenda.

"We have decided not to proceed with the Long Island Serial Killer Panel this year," said Carrie Doyle, a co-founder of the event. "Although all of our true crime programming is meant to be educational, thoughtful and handled with sensitivity, we do not want to upset any members of the victims' families."

Doyle said organizers had been in touch with John Ray, attorney for the family of Gilgo Beach victims Shannon Gilbert and Jessica Taylor, "and had a productive and positive conversation. We have extended the invitation for some family members to attend our event, and see how we are taking this seriously, and they have agreed to attend."

Ray told Patch that when he heard about the event, he wrote a letter to East Hampton Village Mayor Jerry Larson as well as festival organizers.

Of the controversial panel, Ray wrote: "The LISK murders delighted in torture, beheadings, dismemberment, horrifying sexual violence, the rotting bodies of the victims and the murder of a baby."

He said both the families of Gilbert and Taylor were "appalled. I'm appalled by it." He added that Jasmine Robinson, cousin of Taylor, would not be accepting a ticket to attend the event.

Ray also accused organizers, in his letter, of "conflating literary fictional crime, which is an amusement, with real murders, which have taken innocent lives and left gaping spiritual, psychological wounds in the victims' families." He took umbrage with bus tours organized to the sites of real-life Hamptons murders. "This is a celebration of death," he said.

"I take offense to Mr. Ray's quote. I had a very nice conversation with him and explained to him that there is fiction, true crime, and even activities that are age appropriate, such as escape rooms sponsored by the library," Larsen said. "The true crime panels are a serious part of our weekend. No one is celebrating death."

He added: "Mr. Ray explained that the victims were upset with the creator of the documentary, that is why we pulled the panel — out of respect to the families."

The search for Gilbert first led to the bodies of four other prostitutes, all of whom were strangled and stuffed in burlap bags. A total of 11 sets of human remains, including Gilbert's, were found along Ocean Parkway. Police have been searching for a serial killer ever since.

Doyle also responded to Ray's comment: "The 'Hamptons Whodunit' is not a celebration of death. Would you classify the works of Agatha Christie and William Shakespeare — the world's bestselling authors — as celebrants of death? Or Netflix, whose top programming is true crime, as celebrants of death?" she asked

There are true crime festivals all over the United States, Doyle pointed out. "We are presenting information about crimes and cold cases with sensitivity and educational bend. We are interested in finding justice for victims."

She added: "I think it is very easy to try and make everything that transpires in the Hamptons nefarious and egregious, but at the end of the day we are attempting to provide affordable programming that would be of interest to our community. Additionally, we want to bring business into the village."

Ray said he and the victims' families were grateful for the outpouring of public opposition to the panel.

With the divisive panel pulled from the lineup, organizers of the "Hamptons Whodunit" are focused on presenting a fun, informative, and innovative event for all.

"We have wonderful programming and have a lot of amazing authors, filmmakers and speakers coming," Doyle said. "This is a community event to bring business and culture into the building."

The 2023 festival venues include The Thomas and Mary Nimmo Moran Studio, the East Hampton Library, and the East Hampton Middle School; Bookhampton will also host many book signings.

The event kicks off on Thursday, April 13 with a "Hamptons Whodunit" cocktail party at the Maidstone Club.

On Friday, panels include "Deep in the Dark: Taking Crime Fiction to its Scariest Places," "Murder in the Hamptons," "Dark Secrets, Twisted Families," and more; a book signing with Lisa Jewell is also featured. A graveyard tour will also take place, and "Stranger Things" and "Plum Island" escape rooms will be organized for those 12 and over.

On Saturday, "Who Killed the Mayor?" includes a realistic simulated crime scene, with participants invited to solve the murder. A series of panels will also be offered, including "Tales from the Top Cop: A Conversation Between," featuring former New York City Police Commissioner Ray Kelly.

Later in the day, "Organized Crime: From Goodfellas to Gotti" takes a look at the Mafia with three experts.

Also on Saturday, a Hamptons True Crime Bus Tour features Mayor Larsen— who also served as former East Hampton Town police chief — on a guided tour through the Hamptons' "most notorious crime scene sites. Learn about the ghastly murders, kidnappings and mob hits of the 1940 to 90s that took place right here, on the South Fork."

Sunday's events include additional panels, including "A 15 Hamptons Scandal: Ted Ammon's Murder." Ammon was found bludgeoned to death in East Hampton Village; his estranged wife's lover was convicted of his murder.

For a full schedule of events, click here.