Suffolk DA asks public, NYPD to help distribute new description of alleged victim in Gilgo case

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tirney said the victim called ‘Asian Doe’ remains were found recovered along Ocean Parkway in 2011.

News 12 Staff and Rachel Yonkunas

Sep 16, 2024, 9:38 AM

Updated 100 days ago

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The Gilgo Beach Task Force released new information regarding a biological male found along Ocean Parkway in 2011 in hopes of "getting this victim's name back."
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tirney said the victim referred to as ‘Asian Doe’ has remained unnamed since the investigation began. He said ‘Asian Doe’ was wearing women's clothes at time of death, Suffolk DA says.
Officials released updated forensic images of the victim and say the victim was a biological male, between the ages of 17 to 23 years old, 5 feet 6 inches tall.
According to officials, the victim suffered a violent death with a cause of death homicide by blunt force trauma. Police believe the death occurred prior to 2006 and the remains were on Ocean Beach for at least five years before being discovered.
Officials also believe the victim was of southern Chinese descent and may have been a sex worker.
Tierney said it is possible that the victim identified as a woman.
Police said the victim’s remains were discovered about 300 feet away from one of Rex Heuermann’s alleged victims—Megan Waterman. Court records show Heuermann’s internet search history included Asian sex workers, but Tierney would not say whether Heuermann is a suspect in the murder of "Asian Doe."
“This person had family, this person had friends, we are reaching out to anyone who may have known this person to help us with an identification,” said Tierney. “We are hopeful with new information that we will be able to identify this person,” said Tierney.
The district attorney said they are analyzing other evidence recovered from the crime scene, including DNA that does not belong to the victim.
Officials say they are asking the NYPD to distribute new information and description of victim to New York City's Asian community.