Soon after, they held a press conference to share what they described at the time as a 'previously undisclosed piece of evidence' (referring to the belt, and releasing photos showing the initials) in their quest for answers. It wasn't until January of this year, nearly a decade after the bodies were found, that Suffolk County police launched a website dedicated to the ongoing investigation. The investigation had been dormant for years, at least publicly.

Police refused to elaborate any more on the belt at the time of their initial announcement, declining to answer a question about the size of it. Investigators previously said they believe the belt was handled by the killer and did not belong to any of the women whose bodies were found mutilated along the stretch of highway off the south shore of Long Island. Suffolk County Police did not share where exactly the belt was located, or when it was found. The photos appear to be of a black leather belt, which is seemingly inscribed with the initials HM or WH, that investigators believe was used by the suspect responsible for the killings. Police on Monday released two new photographs of articles recovered in relation to the investigation into the bodies of 10 victims found near a stretch of highway near Gilgo Beach. Both at the time of the announcement and on Monday, Suffolk County Police refused to elaborate any more on the belt, including its size.Investigators previously said they believe the belt was used by the suspect responsible for the killings.

Police released two new photographs that appear to be of a black leather belt, which is seemingly inscribed with the initials HM or WH.

Photo police victims