New Identities Revealed In Gilgo Beach Cold Case Breakthrough

Chalk outline at a crime scene with evidence markers.

The identification of Tanya Denise Jackson and her daughter Tatiana as the victims found near Gilgo Beach has refreshed an ongoing mystery steeped in unanswered questions.

Key Takeaways

Tanya Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran, and her 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana Dykes, have been identified as cold case victims.
Jackson was found dismembered in 1997 and her daughter later in 2011.
Despite the identification, no definitive connections to known serial killings have been confirmed.
Authorities are actively seeking public help while considering all investigative possibilities.
Rex Heuermann, who faces charges unrelated to Jackson and Tatiana, denies any involvement.

Identification Through Genetic Genealogy

Advanced genetic techniques recently led to identifying the bodies of Tanya Denise Jackson and her daughter, Tatiana Dykes. Known previously as “Peaches” due to a tattoo, Jackson’s remains were discovered dismembered in 1997 at Hempstead Lake State Park. Her daughter’s remains surfaced nearby, near Gilgo Beach, much later in 2011. These discoveries reignite lingering questions tied to a locale infamous for serial killings.

Nassau Police Det. Capt. Stephen Fitzpatrick articulated skepticism about linking them to the notorious Gilgo Beach killings. “Although Tanya and Tatiana have commonly been linked to the Gilgo Beach serial killings…we are not discounting the possibility that their cases are unrelated from that investigation.”

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

Unresolved Links and Ongoing Investigations

Authorities remain cautious in drawing direct ties between Jackson and Tatiana’s tragic deaths and the larger Gilgo Beach murder cases. Disturbingly, at least 10 victims have been found there, mostly sex workers. Speculation swirls, yet no definitive evidence links Jackson to Rex Heuermann, an architect charged in seven murders along the same beach road. Heuermann maintains his innocence, and law enforcement continues their investigation free from online conjecture.

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

The identification of Jackson after her 2011 discovery prompted increased public interest. The public’s assistance remains integral to advancing this investigation, as officials continue piecing together how these puzzle pieces may fit into a sprawling cold case marked by more than two decades of mystery.

A woman and toddler whose remains were discovered scattered along an oceanfront highway not far from the victims of Long Island’s infamous Gilgo Beach killings were identified Wednesday as a U.S. Army veteran from Alabama and her daughter. https://t.co/VolWq0bBPa

— WCIA (@WCIA3) April 24, 2025

Community’s Role and Law Enforcement’s Reconstruction

Law enforcement appeals to the public while continuing their painstaking probing, maintaining an open mind toward all investigatory avenues. The resolve displayed by police is mirrored by the community’s determination to help unravel what remains a captivating narrative of unsolved mysteries. The legacy of Jackson’s service to the country and her aspirations as a mother continue to inspire those pursuing justice in this labyrinthine case.

With renewed efforts buoyed by recent breakthroughs in DNA research, there is cautious optimism that closure in the tragic deaths of Tanya and Tatiana may finally be within grasp.