Identification of mother and child brings hope in Gilgo Beach murders
- Tanya Denise Jackson and her daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, were identified following years of unanswered questions after their remains were found along a highway.
- Jackson, a U.S. Army veteran from Alabama, had been living in Brooklyn at the time of their deaths, which prosecutors believe are part of an ongoing investigation into the Gilgo Beach murders.
- The confirmation of their identities opens new avenues for law enforcement to solicit information from the public to help solve their tragic murders.
In a significant development in the investigation surrounding the tragic deaths linked to the infamous Gilgo Beach serial killings in New York, authorities identified the remains of Tanya Denise Jackson, a 26-year-old Army veteran from Alabama, and her 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes. The identification of their remains, which were discovered in different locations along Ocean Parkway, represents a crucial step in the investigation. While their remains were found in close proximity to the Gilgo Beach murder victims, there is currently no concrete evidence establishing a direct connection to the suspected serial killer, Rex Heuermann, who has been charged with the slayings of seven women. Jackson's remains were discovered in June 1997, and although a preliminary DNA analysis linked her to her daughter in 2015, their identities remained unknown until 2022 after extensive investigative efforts involving the FBI’s Investigative Genetic Genealogy team. Authorities are urgently seeking information about Jackson's life in the effort to piece together what led to their deaths. Both mother and daughter were laid to rest, with Jackson receiving military honors, highlighting her service in the Army from 1993 to 1995. The investigation into the Gilgo Beach serial killings remains ongoing, with law enforcement focused on bringing justice to all victims involved.