Client of Long Island Serial Killer victim who was with her before she died speaks out about shock R

ONE of the last people to see Shannan Gilbert on the night she disappeared has broken his silence after the suspected Long Island serial killer was caught.

Shannan, a 23-year-old sex worker, went to Oak Beach, New York to visit client Joseph Brewer, now-58, but in the early morning hours of May 1, 2010, she ran out of Brewer's house claiming hysterically on a 911 call that someone was out to get her.

That morning, Shannan vanished, prompting the Suffolk County Police Department to start a missing person search.

In December 2010, local authorities found the bodies of four sex workers - Megan Waterman, 22, Melissa Barthelemy, 24, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25, and Amber Lynn Costello, 27 - near Gilgo Beach on the south shore of Long Island.

Shannan was found dead a year later but her death has been disputed as police say it was an accident and her family lawyer, John Ray, insists that it was a cold-blooded murder.

While the mystery surrounding Shannan's death still lingers, Suffolk County police claim to have found the killer of the other four sex workers.

Most read in The US Sun

"Mr. Brewer and his Family want to convey their deepest sympathies for not only the family of Ms. Shannon Gilbert, but to anyone that has been affected by these mass tragedies," Ramcharitar said.

"With a suspect now in custody, it is their hope that some Justice will be served to the families of those who were so tragically lost."

Ramcharitar cleared Brewer's name from any involvement with Heuermann.

He exclusively told The U.S. Sun: "He had absolutely no ties in any way shape or form with Rex."

CHILLING 911 CALL & DRUGS

When asked about Shannan's frantic 911 call that she made before she disappeared, Ramcharitar said: "Mr. Brewer has continually stated to law enforcement not only that night, but in perpetuity, that Ms. Gilbert left his house and proceeded to meet her driver."

"After the time that Ms. Gilbert left his home, there was no further contact. Once Mr. Brewer was contacted by Ms. Gilbert's driver, he immediately called 911 himself immediately," Ramcharitar said.

There was also the question of whether Shannan was on drugs the day she went missing.

The Suffolk County Police Department believed that she drowned in a marsh after running into it in a drug-induced panic, CBS reported in 2016.

However, Shannan's lawyer said in a previous interview: "There's not a drop of evidence that she was on any drugs whatsoever."

Brewer's lawyer said that his client "does not partake in any drugs under any circumstance" when asked if Brewer ever mentioned the use of drugs either by himself or Shannan on the day she vanished.

'BLEMISH ON A GOOD MAN'

Ramcharitar insisted that Brewer has consistently cooperated with local law enforcement since the case of Shannan's disappearance began.

"From the onset, dating back almost 12 years now, Mr. Joseph Brewer has been fully transparent will all facets of Law Enforcement in the search for the killer of Shannon Gilbert; as well as his continued cooperation with authorities to the present," Ramcharitar said in his public statement.

"The onset of the immediate adjudication of Mr. Brewer being involved in these atrocious acts has not only placed an immovable blemish on a good man’s life, but placed him and his family in a position of stereotypical treatment as one can imagine."

Ramcharitar told The U.S. Sun that the allegations made against Brewer "affected his day to day life — in specific regards to his daily interactions with friends and family.

"Not only has Mr. Brewer been affected by these allegations, but his family as well."

With Brewer being one of the last people to see Shannan, the public has long questioned whether he was involved in her disappearance or death, however he has never been labeled as a suspect in the case.

Brewer's lawyer explained: "Having to live with a stigma of this capacity for over 12 years has caused many people in his community and social circle to treat him as an outcast for obvious societal assumptions."

Ramcharitar shared gratitude for local authorities while acknowledging that the public is still waiting for more answers.

"We all as a community, and as a family are waiting for the full picture to take form, as we feel that will not only help put my family and community at ease, but all that have been affected by these despicable acts," he said in his public statement.

Ramcharitar added: "We congratulate Nassau and Suffolk Police Department in taking the first step to bring these unholy acts to light.

BlinkD