POLICE IN NEW YORK have found more remains at a stretch of beach in Long Island where eight bodies have already been discovered.

Investigators had found five bodies by the end of March and another three last week.

The discoveries were made during an ongoing investigation into the disappearance of a24-year-old woman, Shannan Gilbert. Gilbert, a prostitute, went missing in May 2010 after going to meet a client and was last seen in that beach area.

Newsday reports that police helicopters are searching remote parts of local beaches, including nature sanctuaries.

The first four victims have been identified as prostitutes in their 20s, while other remains are those of a child. Gilbert has still not been located. Police have not named her client as a suspect and say he has cooperated with the investigation.

Although authorities suspect a serial killer is behind the deaths, no suspect has been identified. However, Irish Central reports that police may be looking into a ‘person of interest’. The latest remains to be found will be analysed to ascertain if they are human.

- Additional reporting by the AP