Remains Found Near Gilgo Beach Spur New Investigations

After 28 years, authorities have finally identified the dismembered remains known as “Peaches” as U.S. Army veteran Tanya Denise Jackson and her 2-year-old daughter Tatiana, raising new questions about their connection to the infamous Gilgo Beach killings.

Quick Takes

Tanya Jackson, 26, and her daughter Tatiana Dykes, 2, were identified through advanced DNA techniques after their remains were found years apart near Long Island.
Jackson’s dismembered body was discovered in Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997, while her daughter was found near Gilgo Beach in 2011.
While their remains were found near other Gilgo Beach victims, investigators have not confirmed a connection to accused serial killer Rex Heuermann.
Jackson served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1995 and received full military honors at her burial; her daughter’s father is cooperating with investigators.
Nassau County authorities are seeking public assistance in solving the decades-old murders.

Mother and Daughter Finally Identified After Decades

Law enforcement officials have identified the remains of a woman and child found on Long Island as U.S. Army veteran Tanya Denise Jackson and her 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana Dykes. Jackson was just 26 years old when her dismembered body was discovered in Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997. She was known for years only as “Peaches” due to a distinctive tattoo on her body. Her daughter’s remains, previously called “Baby Doe,” were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011. The genetic link between mother and daughter was established through DNA analysis conducted in 2015, but their identities remained unknown until the recent breakthrough using advanced genealogy techniques.

Jackson served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1995 and was living in Brooklyn as a single mother when she disappeared. Investigators believe she may have worked as a medical assistant at a doctor’s office. She received full military honors at her burial, honoring her service to the country. According to authorities, Jackson had become estranged from her family, which complicated identification efforts over the decades. The toddler’s father is reportedly cooperating with the investigation and is not considered a suspect in their deaths.

Police have released the identities of a mother and child whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach nearly three decades ago. However, they say the deaths may be unrelated to Gilgo Beach serial killer suspect Rex Heuermann. @McLoganTV reports. https://t.co/H1dxut3O7j

— CBS New York (@CBSNewYork) April 23, 2025

Possible Connection to Gilgo Beach Serial Killings

The discovery of Jackson and her daughter’s remains has raised questions about potential connections to the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killings, where at least 10 bodies were found starting in late 2010. Most victims in the area were female sex workers. In 2023, an architect named Rex Heuermann was arrested and charged with seven murders related to the Gilgo Beach case. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. While the timing and location of the discoveries have prompted speculation, investigators are proceeding cautiously regarding any potential link between these cases.

“Although Tanya and Tatiana have commonly been linked to the Gilgo Beach serial killings because the timing and locations of their recovered remains, we are not discounting the possibility that their cases are unrelated from that investigation,” said Nassau Police Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick.

Investigators have been careful not to draw premature conclusions about who might be responsible for the deaths of Jackson and her daughter. When specifically asked about Heuermann’s potential involvement, authorities maintained an open stance. The fact that the mother’s remains were found in 1997, well before the other Gilgo Beach victims were discovered, suggests possible differences in these cases. Police have warned against internet speculation influencing the investigation and are considering all possibilities while following the evidence.

REMAINS IDENTIFIED: Police in New York say the remains of a mother and child who may be linked to the Gilgo Beach serial killer have been identified. Read more: https://t.co/uAbAFpTGrZ pic.twitter.com/EVDBZC2o96

— WFLA NEWS (@WFLA) April 23, 2025

Ongoing Investigation and Public Appeal

Nassau County officials are seeking public assistance in solving these murders, emphasizing that identifying the victims is only the first step. The case has drawn significant attention, particularly since 2011 when some of Jackson’s remains were found among others linked to a possible serial killer. This renewed interest has helped advance the investigation using modern forensic techniques. Authorities continue working to identify another set of remains found in 2011, believed to be of a person of Chinese descent, as part of the broader investigation into the Long Island murders.

“The reality is, our work has just begun. Knowing the identities of the mom and the little baby is just a first step to help us get to solving these murders,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.

The identification of Jackson and her daughter represents a significant breakthrough in a case that has remained unsolved for decades. Law enforcement officials have emphasized the importance of continuing to gather information about Jackson’s life, activities, and acquaintances in the mid-1990s. The Suffolk County District Attorney’s office is prosecuting Heuermann for other Gilgo Beach murders, while Nassau County authorities are focusing on Jackson and her daughter’s case. Anyone with information about Jackson or her daughter is encouraged to contact Nassau County police to help bring closure to this tragic case.