Remains Of 4 More People Found In Connecticut Serial Killings Investigation

NEW BRITAIN, CONN. (CBSNewYork) -- The remains of four people have been discovered in an ongoing investigation into serial killings in central Connecticut.

As WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau reported Monday, the widening of a search for bodies behind a strip mall in New Britain turned up the remains of four women.

Police said the deaths of the women are connected to the bodies of three other women -- Mary Jane Menard, Diane Cusack, and Joyvaline Martinez -- which were discovered in the same area in 2007, CBS2's Jessica Schneider reported.

Authorities believe one man may have been responsible for the murders: a drifter named William Howell, who is now behind bars for the murder of a young woman, Schneidau reported.

That is apparently why New Britain police are saying their prime suspect is not a danger to the public.

"We remain committed to bringing the individual responsible for these killings to justice," said New Britain Police Police Chief James Wardwell. "Investigators have worked tirelessly on this case since 2007. I wish to emphasize there is no danger to the public at this time from this alleged serial killer."

It was an FBI dog who tracked additional remains in the area just last month. And following that, heavy equipment was brought in for a thorough search, which yielded more remains.

"The remains recovered have been turned over to the Office of The Chief Medical Examiner and the Connecticut Forensic Lab for examination, forensic analysis, and identification," Chief Wardwell said. "The remains recovered were skeletal in nature and consistent with having been at this location for at least ten years."

Now, a total of seven murdered women have been found, bringing several families one step closer to getting justice for their loved ones.

Joyvaline Martinez disappeared in 2003, according to her sister, Sandra Martinez. Her remains were found in 2007, but weren't identified until 2013, Schneider reported.

"I've called him an animal, a monster, words you can't say on TV. There are no words to say who he is. Who does that?" Martinez said.

Martinez said she is relieved to hear he is no longer a danger to any other women like her sister.

"Seeing they're still working on it and haven't put it on the back burner helps us to know that they still care," said Martinez.

The investigation has been a long process. Police found the first remains in 2007, but took years identifying them.

On Monday, they announced a fourth woman has been identified: Melanie Camilini. Monday also marked what would have been her 42nd birthday, Schneider reported.

Those remains were just found in the wooded area when the search resumed on April 21 and concluded last Thursday, with the help of FBI cadaver dogs.