(NewsNation) — Investigators on Monday released new images of a Gilgo Beach homicide victim whose remains were discovered in 2011 and is known by officials only as “Asian Doe.”
Genetic genealogy revealed a strong likelihood the victim was of Southern Chinese descent, specifically Han Chinese, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said at a news conference Monday.
He asked for the public’s help identifying the person, whose name and age remain unknown to investigators. Their gender expression is unclear but Tierney said the victim was a “biological male.”
The body was dressed in women’s clothing, including a Chrysanthemum blue, ribbed short-sleeve shirt with crew neck, a Rafaella brand shirt and Bill Blass pants and a bra.
“Because the victim was wearing exclusively women’s clothing at the time of death, it is possible that they identified as a woman or were known by others as being a woman,” Tierney said.
What have police said about the unidentified Asian victim?
The investigation dates back to April 4, 2011, when skeletal remains were recovered on Ocean Parkway near Long Island’s Gilgo Beach. The cause of death was ruled a homicide by blunt force trauma. On Monday, Tierney said officials believe the victim died at least five years before their remains were found.
“Asian Doe” would have been about 17 to 23 years old and 5 feet, 3-9 inches tall when they died, according to a news release authorities issued Monday.
“We ask that if you were around in the late ’90s and early 2000s — think about the people you associated with,” Tierney said. “Think about the people you know. Did anyone of Asian descent go missing?”
Investigators believe the victim may have been working as a sex worker at the time of their disappearance during or before 2006 and spent time in New York City before they died.
“We want to urge the public — don’t discount someone just because you know them to be from somewhere outside of New York City,” Tierney said. “As we know, people often come to New York City for myriad reasons.”
No charges have been filed in connection with the person’s death.
Is ‘Asian Doe’ tied to the ‘Gilgo Four’?
Police spent the past 14 years investigating the deaths of at least 10 people, most of whom were sex workers whose remains were discovered along an isolated highway near Gilgo Beach on Long Island.
Stigma around sex workers can distance them from friends and family, discourage them from reporting to police and, in turn, make them more vulnerable to violence, experts say.
Architect Rex Heuermann is charged with murder in connection with the deaths of Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello and Maureen Brainard-Barnes. The bodies of the so-called “Gilgo Four” were among several found on Gilgo Beach between 2010 and 2011. Prosecutors in June announced additional charges against Heuermann tied to the deaths of two more women — Jessica Taylor and Sandra Costilla.
Taylor, 20, went missing in 2003 while working as an escort in New York City. Some of her remains were discovered in Manorville that year, and more were found by the side of Ocean Parkway. The body of 28-year-old Costilla was discovered in 1993.
The body of the victim at the center of Monday’s news conference was found about a half-mile east of the Gilgo Four in Oak Beach.
Heuermann has pleaded not guilty on all counts. His next court appearance is scheduled for 9 a.m. Oct. 16 in Suffolk County.
Tierney didn’t name Heuermann as a suspect in “Asian Doe’s” death and instead emphasized public assistance in identifying the victim.
“It’s all nice to speculate, but it basically doesn’t matter until you can bring charges and we’re certainly not at that stage,” Tierney said.
Police have asked anyone with information about the case or the victimm to contact Crimestoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS, or by email or mobile app. Translation services are available. Suffolk County Crime Stoppers is offering reward of as much as $2,500 for information leading to the identification of each victim.
