Cover credit – Cait Crudden
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney (R) held a press conference on Monday to provide updates on the ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders, with a specific focus on a victim known as “Asian Doe.”
This unidentified individual, discovered April 4, 2011, is one of the many pieces in solving the puzzle of the gruesome serial killings that have haunted the Long Island community.
The victim, who was biologically male but found dressed in women’s clothing, has remained unidentified since being discovered near Gilgo Beach. Despite significant efforts from law enforcement and forensic experts, little has been known about this victim until now. At the press conference, D.A. Tierney revealed a new sketch of “Asian Doe,” (pictured below) created by forensic anthropologists and artists, and called on the public to help identify the victim and restore their name.
The sketch, the result of a collaborative effort between forensic experts and law enforcement, provides the most detailed visual representation of the victim ever released. Tierney emphasized that the creation of the sketch marks a significant development in the investigation, as law enforcement officials work to both identify “Asian Doe” and uncover more details about their life and potential connection to the other victims in the case.
“Today we are asking for the public’s help in identifying a victim known as ‘Asian Doe,’” remarked Tierney. He continued to description of the victim and the circumstances surrounding his death stating he was between the ages on 17-23, of southern Chinese descent, approximately 5’6”, dressed in women’s clothing including a ‘Chrysanthemum’ blue-ribbed short sleeved shirt with a crew neck, ‘Rafaella’ brand shirt, ‘Bill Blass’ pants, and a bra.
Sadly, the victim was killed violently by blunt force trauma, during or prior to 2006, and found in the vicinity of two of the other Gilgo Beach murder victims. “Asian Doe” was not wrapped in burlap. It is believed the victim possibly worked as a sex worker. Identifying this individual, Tierney said, has been a challenge.
Tierney explained that forensic anthropologists were able to create the sketch by examining the victim’s skeletal remains, using advanced techniques to determine facial features, bone structure, and potential ethnic background which was determined to be of Southern Chinese Han descent. While the victim’s remains indicated he was biologically male, the clothing and presentation suggest he may have been living as a woman.
Tierney expressed hope that the release of this sketch would generate new leads and assist in identifying “Asian Doe,” urging anyone with information to come forward.
“This is a call to action,” stated Tierney. “We want to enlist the public’s help to identify ‘Asian Doe.’”
An officer was available at the press conference to translate this call to action into Mandarin, in hopes to reach further into the Asian American communities throughout New York City and Long Island.
The Gilgo Beach murders, one of Long Island’s most notorious serial killing cases, date back to 2010 when human remains were first discovered along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach. Since then, the bodies of 11 individuals, including “Asian Doe,” have been discovered in the area, all believed to be the victims of the same killer or killers. Many of the victims were sex workers, and investigators have struggled for years to piece together the clues surrounding their deaths.
To date, Rex Heuermann is the prime suspect being prosecuted by Tierney. He has so far alleged to have murdered the original “Gilgo Four,” Amber Lynn Costello, Melissa Barthelemy, Maureen Brainard-Barnes, and Megan Waterman. In June, Heuermann was indicted for the murders of Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla, the former victim’s remains linking Heuermann’s presence in Manorville, which was later corroborated by records of a sport shooting club nearby the site of Taylor’s remains. The June indictments also link Heuermann to one of the earliest murders in the Gilgo Beach case, which may or may not link him to the fates of other victims.
Heuermann’s house was raided before the indictment in the latter two cases, which produced a myriad of evidence, including, but not limited to, hard drives, tapes, a collection of gruesome pornographic materials, and a manifesto that he allegedly used to plan and hide his crimes. The manifesto was partly inspired by John Douglas’ 1995 book Mindhunter: Inside the FBI’s Elite Serial Crime Unit, to which specific page numbers were referenced by Heuermann.
Despite numerous advancements in forensic technology and persistent efforts by law enforcement, several of the victims remain unidentified, including “Asian Doe.” This latest development represents another crucial step in the quest for answers in a case that has captivated the nation for over a decade.
During the press conference, Tierney reiterated the importance of public involvement in the case.
“Please share this information far and wide,” said Tierney. “Let’s get this victim identified. Let’s get this victim their name back”.
The press conference closed with a reminder that the Gilgo Beach investigation remains active and that the Suffolk County DA’s office, along with law enforcement partners, will continue to seek justice for the victims and their families. District Attorney Tierney thanked all the Task Force Members and Law Enforcement involved in these cases.
Anyone with information about “Asian Doe” or any aspect of the Gilgo Beach murders is encouraged to contact the Crime Stoppers hotline, which is accepting anonymous tips with a $2500 award. They also have a “Help ID Me” Facebook page available for tips as well.
