DA: ‘We Will Follow Every Lead’
By Hank Russell
After nearly 30 years, a victim only identified as “Peaches” because of the distinctive tattoo on her body has been identified. The announcement was made at a press conference at Nassau County police headquarters on April 23.
The victim has been identified as Tanya Denise Jackson, who was 26 at the time of her death, according to Nassau police. Jackson, who served in the United States Army and lived in Alabama before moving to New York, was living in Brooklyn and working as a dental assistant, according to a report from The New York Post.
Her remains were found in Hempstead Lake State Park on June 28, 1997. On April 11, 2011, the remains of a
female toddler were discovered at Gilgo Beach. These remains have now been identified as Tatiana Marie Dykes, who was two at the time of her death. It was later determined that Tatiana Dykes was Jackson’s daughter.
Due to the proximity within where the other victims of Rex Heuermann — who has been charged with the murders of seven women — are buried, rumors began to circulate that Jackson and Dykes may have been linked to the Gilgo Beach murders, but authorities were quick to dismiss them.
The Post quoted Nassau Homicide Detective Lieutenant Stephen Fitzpatrick as saying, “We’re not saying it’s him, but we’re not saying it’s not him. … We are proceeding as if it’s not related.”
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney’s office for comment. A Tierney spokesman said in a statement, “DA Tierney has refrained from making any comments about Rex Heuermann and any topics even tangentially involved to the investigation, pending completion of the ongoing pre-trial hearing. Once the hearing is concluded, DA Tierney will resume speaking with the media.”
Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder announced that there is a reward of up to $25,000 for information leading up to an arrest. Detectives request anyone with information regarding the above homicide to contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-244-TIPS (8477) or call 911. All callers will remain anonymous.
The Mobile (Alabama) Police Department put up a Facebook post asking those who may have information “in locating family members or tips in connection to this tragic homicide” to contact the NCPD. Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the police department for any updates, but did not hear back as of press time.
“We will follow every lead, we will pull at every thread until we can get justice for this mother and this child,” said Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly.