A Mother And Daughter Newly Linked To Gilgo Beach Crimes

Yellow crime scene tape with blurred lights background

After 27 years of mystery, two unidentified victims connected to the Gilgo Beach killings have been identified as a U.S. Army veteran and her toddler daughter, raising new questions about one of America’s most notorious crime scenes.

Quick Takes

Tanya Denise Jackson, 26, and her 2-year-old daughter Tatiana Dykes have been identified as victims previously known only as “Peaches” and “Baby Doe”
Jackson’s dismembered remains were found in 1997, while her daughter’s remains were discovered near Gilgo Beach in 2011
Despite proximity to Gilgo Beach serial killings, investigators have not definitively connected these murders to accused killer Rex Heuermann
Jackson was a U.S. Army veteran (1993-1995) living in Brooklyn, possibly working as a medical assistant
Advanced DNA genealogy techniques finally solved the decades-old mystery of their identities

Mother and Daughter Finally Identified

Authorities have finally put names to the dismembered remains known for years only as “Peaches” and “Baby Doe.” Tanya Denise Jackson, a 26-year-old U.S. Army veteran, and her 2-year-old daughter Tatiana Dykes were identified through advanced DNA technology and genealogy research. Jackson earned her nickname from investigators due to a distinctive peach tattoo on her body. Her remains were discovered dismembered in Hempstead Lake State Park in 1997, while her daughter’s remains were found near Gilgo Beach in 2011, creating a grim connection to one of America’s most infamous crime scenes.

Jackson served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1995 and was estranged from her family at the time of her disappearance. Investigators revealed she was a single mother living in Brooklyn who possibly worked as a medical assistant. The genetic link between mother and daughter was established in 2015 through DNA analysis, but their identities remained unknown until now. With the identification complete, Nassau County authorities are seeking public assistance to help solve the murders that have puzzled investigators for decades.

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

Connection to Gilgo Beach Serial Killings Remains Uncertain

While these discoveries have been commonly associated with the Gilgo Beach serial killings, investigators remain cautious about making a direct connection. Nassau Police Detective Captain Stephen Fitzpatrick addressed the speculation directly during a news conference. “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,” he stated.

“I’m not saying it is Rex Heuermann and I’m not saying it’s not. We are proceeding as if it’s not, keeping our eyes wide open,” Capt. Fitzpatrick further said.

The Gilgo Beach case gained national attention after the discovery of multiple bodies along Ocean Parkway beginning in late 2010. The investigation eventually led to the 2023 arrest of Rex Heuermann, an architect who has been charged with killing seven women. Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to all charges and maintains his innocence. While Jackson’s remains were found in close proximity to known Gilgo Beach victims, authorities continue to treat the cases separately while investigating all possible connections.

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

A Long Investigation Just Beginning

Despite the breakthrough in identifying the victims, Nassau County officials emphasize that their work has only just begun. The identification provides closure on one aspect of the case but opens new avenues for investigation into who committed these murders and why. Investigators are working to reconstruct Jackson’s final days, seeking anyone who may have known her during her time in Brooklyn. Tatiana’s father has been located and is cooperating with authorities; officials stated he is not considered a suspect.

“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.

Jackson received full military honors at her burial, a recognition of her service to the country before her tragic death. Authorities continue to search for leads in this case while also working to identify other remains found in the area, including those of an Asian woman discovered in 2011 who is believed to be of Chinese descent. The identification of Jackson and her daughter represents an important step forward in a complex investigation that has spanned multiple decades and jurisdictions across Long Island.