Nassau County police investigating skeletal remains found in the sand last week have sent photos of a unique gold pig charm discovered near the body to the area's largest Korean newspapers in hopes someone will recognize the pendant and come forward.
Inspector Kenneth Lack told NBC 4 New York police believe the pig pendant could be a popular charm within the Korean community. No viable tips have come in so far from the newspaper postings, he said.
The pig charm necklace was found near a nearly complete skeleton discovered by a woman walking her dog on a path by the beach in Lattingtown last Tuesday.
Authorities have said they believed the remains belonged to a woman between the ages of 20 and 30. Detectives said last week the investigation was classified as a homicide case due to trauma that was evident on the remains, though they would not elaborate on the site of the trauma.
A forensic anthropologist from the medical examiner's office continues to work to identify the victim based on either dental or DNA records, which is difficult, Lack said, because investigators must match the anthropologist's findings to a set of records that may not be in their system.
Police have not ruled out a possible connection between the recent discovery and the ongoing investigation into bodies dumped near Gilgo Beach, but they say it's too early to tell if the cases are connected and, while all the cases involve remains dumped near the water, there are dissimilarities.
Suffolk County police have been conducting an ongoing investigation into the discovery of 10 sets of remains found along a remote section of beach near Ocean Parkway, about 30 miles from where Tuesday's remains were found.
Four of the Suffolk victims have been identified as strangled prostitutes discovered during the search for Shannan Gilbert, a prostitute from Jersey City, N.J., who had gone missing in May 2010 and whose remains were discovered in a marsh in December 2011. Her cause of death was inconclusive.
Anyone who recognizes the gold necklace found in Lattingtown or has any information is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 800-244-TIPS. All calls will remain anonymous.
