Robert Shulman: 5 Long Island Sites Key to Brookhaven Butcher's Crimes

Mapping the Serial Killer's Hunting Grounds

Robert Shulman, known as the Brookhaven Butcher, terrorized Long Island in the 1990s. His crimes shocked the community and left a lasting impact on Suffolk County. The postal worker murdered and dismembered at least five women, primarily targeting those involved in sex work.

This article explores five key locations on Long Island that played a significant role in Shulman's criminal activities. By examining these sites, readers can gain insight into the geography of his crimes and the areas where he operated. The locations provide a chilling backdrop to the Brookhaven Butcher's reign of terror.

1) Gordon Heights Cemetery

Gordon Heights Cemetery played a sinister role in Robert Shulman's crimes. Located in Brookhaven, Long Island, this secluded burial ground became a dumping site for one of Shulman's victims.

In April 1995, the body of an unidentified woman was discovered in the cemetery. Investigators later linked this murder to Shulman, who was active in the area during that time.

The remote location of Gordon Heights Cemetery made it an attractive spot for concealing evidence. Its quiet, wooded surroundings provided cover for Shulman's activities.

This discovery at the cemetery was a crucial piece of evidence in building the case against Shulman. It helped authorities connect multiple murders and establish a pattern of behavior.

The incident at Gordon Heights Cemetery highlighted the risks faced by vulnerable individuals in isolated areas. It also underscored the importance of increased security and surveillance in such locations.

2) Mastic Road

Mastic Road, located in the hamlet of Mastic on Long Island, played a significant role in Robert Shulman's criminal activities. This area became a focal point for law enforcement during their investigation into the Brookhaven Butcher's crimes.

Shulman frequented Mastic Road as part of his routine, making it a key location in understanding his movements. The road's proximity to other areas of interest in the case drew investigators' attention.

Local residents along Mastic Road provided valuable information to detectives, helping to piece together Shulman's activities in the area. Their observations contributed to building a timeline of his movements.

The road's connection to nearby communities, including Mastic Beach, made it a crucial link in tracing Shulman's path. Investigators scrutinized businesses and residences along Mastic Road for potential evidence.

Law enforcement agencies conducted thorough searches of properties adjacent to Mastic Road, seeking clues related to Shulman's crimes. These efforts were part of the broader investigation that ultimately led to his arrest and conviction.

3) Patchogue Bay Marina

The Patchogue Bay Marina played a significant role in Robert Shulman's criminal activities. Located along the Great South Bay in Patchogue, New York, this marina provided Shulman with easy access to the water.

Shulman frequented the marina, using it as a launching point for disposing of evidence related to his crimes. The isolated nature of certain areas around the marina made it an ideal location for his nefarious activities.

Law enforcement investigators focused on the Patchogue Bay Marina during their search for clues. They believed Shulman may have used boats from this location to transport and discard victims' remains in the bay.

The marina's proximity to other key locations in the case, such as Shulman's residence and areas where victims were last seen, made it a crucial point of interest for detectives. Forensic teams conducted thorough searches of the marina and surrounding waters.

While no definitive evidence was recovered from the marina itself, its connection to Shulman's movements and potential disposal methods remained an important aspect of the investigation. The Patchogue Bay Marina continues to be associated with this dark chapter in Long Island's history.

4) Riverhead Pine Barrens

The Riverhead Pine Barrens form part of the larger Central Pine Barrens region on Long Island. This area spans over 100,000 acres across Suffolk County, including portions of Riverhead Town.

The Pine Barrens ecosystem is characterized by sandy soil and pitch pine trees. It provides critical habitat for various plant and animal species, some of which are rare or endangered.

In the context of Robert Shulman's crimes, the remote nature of the Pine Barrens made it an attractive location for criminal activity. The dense forest and isolated areas provided cover for illicit acts.

Law enforcement investigators focused on the Riverhead Pine Barrens during their search for evidence related to Shulman's victims. The terrain presented challenges for search efforts but also potentially preserved crucial forensic clues.

The Pine Barrens' ecological importance has led to increased conservation efforts in recent years. This has resulted in greater public access and awareness of the area, potentially deterring future criminal exploitation of the landscape.

5) Sassafras-St Elementary School

Sassafras-St Elementary School in Medford, Long Island, played an unexpected role in the Robert Shulman case. The school's dumpster became a disposal site for one of Shulman's victims in the early 1990s.

Law enforcement discovered human remains in the school's dumpster, linking the location to Shulman's series of murders. This grim discovery shocked the local community and heightened fears about the serial killer operating in their midst.

The use of a school dumpster demonstrated Shulman's brazen approach to disposing of evidence. It also highlighted the challenges faced by investigators in tracking his movements and identifying dump sites across Long Island.

The Sassafras-St Elementary School incident underscored the far-reaching impact of Shulman's crimes on unsuspecting communities. It served as a stark reminder of the killer's presence in everyday locations, even those presumed safe for children.

Background of Robert Shulman

Robert Yale Shulman's journey from a typical upbringing to becoming a notorious serial killer shocked Long Island. His life and crimes left an indelible mark on the community.

Early Life and Career

Robert Shulman was born on March 28, 1954, in upstate New York. He grew up in a Jewish family with three brothers in Long Beach and Westbury, Long Island. These areas were considered middle-class neighborhoods at the time.

Shulman's upbringing has conflicting accounts, making it difficult to pinpoint specific influences on his later behavior. He attended local schools and lived a seemingly ordinary life.

As an adult, Shulman found employment as a postal worker. This job provided him with a stable income and a respectable position in society.

Initial Signs of Criminal Activity

The first indication of Shulman's criminal activities emerged in 1991. His first known victim was Lori Vasquez, a 24-year-old woman whose body was discovered in a dumpster.

Between 1991 and 1995, Shulman is believed to have murdered five women on Long Island. His victims were primarily sex workers, a pattern common among serial killers.

Shulman's modus operandi involved killing and dismembering his victims. This gruesome method shocked the community and law enforcement alike.

The discovery of multiple bodies in various locations across Long Island sparked fear and intensified the search for the killer.

The Brookhaven Butcher Case

Robert Shulman committed a series of brutal murders between 1991 and 1995, targeting at least five women in the Long Island area. His crimes earned him the notorious nickname "Brookhaven Butcher".

Investigation Details

The investigation into Shulman's crimes began in 1995 when dismembered body parts were discovered in dumpsters across Long Island. Law enforcement agencies collaborated to piece together the evidence and identify the victims.

Detectives focused on sex workers as potential targets, given the victims' backgrounds. They meticulously traced the last known movements of each victim, interviewing witnesses and gathering surveillance footage.

A breakthrough came when a fingerprint match led investigators to Shulman's Hicksville residence. The police conducted extensive surveillance before making their move.

Evidence Collection

Forensic teams combed through Shulman's home, uncovering crucial physical evidence linking him to the murders. They collected DNA samples, fibers, and other trace evidence from the crime scenes and victims' remains.

Investigators seized Shulman's vehicle, which yielded valuable forensic evidence. They also recovered personal items belonging to the victims, strengthening the case against him.

Financial records and phone logs were scrutinized to establish patterns and connections between Shulman and his victims. Experts analyzed blood spatter patterns and tool marks to reconstruct the crimes.

The evidence collected played a pivotal role in Shulman's eventual conviction for the murders of at least five women.