Officials Share New Details and Renderings of Victim Near Gilgo Beach

Officials in New York recently revealed new information and renderings regarding an unidentified murder victim whose skeletal remains were discovered in 2011 along a highway on Long Island, an area connected to a series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach serial killings.

The victim, referred to as “Asian Doe,” has been identified as a biological male of Asian descent, estimated to be between the ages of 17 and 23. Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney provided these details during a press conference held on Monday. The remains were found on April 4, 2011, near Gilgo Beach, but investigators believe the victim may have died as early as 2006.

When discovered, the individual was dressed in women’s clothing, according to Tierney. “Asian Doe” stood approximately 5 feet, 6 inches tall, and was found wearing a blue, ribbed short-sleeve shirt, women’s pants, and a bra.

Although the victim’s gender identity has not been definitively established, Tierney explained that new forensic images depict the victim as both male and female. Previous sketches released in 2011 only represented the victim as male.

“These reconstructions offer a glimpse into what the victim might have looked like prior to their disappearance and murder,” Tierney noted. “Given that the victim was dressed solely in women’s clothing at the time of death, it raises the possibility that they identified as a woman or were recognized as such by others.”

In a noteworthy development, investigators have utilized genetic genealogy to shed light on the victim’s ethnic background, suggesting that they were likely of Southern Chinese, or Han, descent. Now, authorities are asking the public for assistance in identifying the victim, who was found in proximity to two other victims from Gilgo Beach.

“Before 2006, this individual must have had friends, potential classmates, or co-workers, along with a family,” Tierney remarked. “Someone out there knows who this person is, and we urge anyone with information to reach out to us.”

According to Tierney, there is a possibility that “Asian Doe” was engaged in sex work around the time they went missing and had spent some time in New York City before their death.

Authorities confirmed that the victim suffered a “violent death,” with the cause of death determined to be homicide resulting from blunt force trauma. The remains were reportedly on Ocean Parkway for at least five years before being found in 2011. So far, no charges have been related to this victim’s murder.

The Gilgo Beach serial killings span a time frame from the early 1990s to 2011, with many of the victims’ remains discovered between 2010 and 2011 along Ocean Parkway. In total, authorities have recovered at least 11 bodies in the area, most of whom were identified as sex workers.

“Asian Doe” was located close to two other victims, identified as 22-year-old Megan Waterman and 20-year-old Jessica Taylor. Tierney mentioned, “It was about 300 feet from Megan Waterman’s remains, situated in that same section of the parkway, between Megan and Jessica Taylor.”

“Every one of these victims represents a separate crime scene. Our approach is to start from each unique crime scene and build upon the investigation, which we are actively doing,” he added. “While speculation is ongoing, it remains secondary until we can bring forth charges, which we are not yet prepared to do.”

In recent years, New York authorities have charged Rex Heuermann, a former architect from New York, with the murders of six women connected to the Gilgo Beach case. Heuermann, 60, was arraigned in July 2023 for the murders of several sex workers, including Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, Melissa Barthelemy, and Amber Costello. In June, he was also indicted for the killings of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, whose remains were found in earlier years.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him.

Source: USA Today