Police identify mother and child victims nearly three decades after double homicide

In a significant development regarding a long-standing cold case in the United States, specifically in New York, law enforcement officials have identified a mother and daughter whose remains were found in a series of discoveries along an oceanfront highway near Gilgo Beach. Tanya Denise Jackson, a 26-year-old U.S. Army veteran, was identified through advanced DNA testing and genealogical research after her remains were found stuffed in a plastic tub in June 1997. Alongside her remains, the skeletal remains of her child were later discovered off Ocean Parkway in April 2011. This identification comes almost three decades after the initial discoveries, drawing attention to a series of murders that have remained unsolved. The investigation has raised questions over whether there is a link between Jackson and other women murdered in the region, including the notorious case linked to Rex Heuermann, who is suspected in multiple murders of female sex workers. Police are focusing efforts on solving these murders given the recent identification. Authorities are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly expressed that understanding the identities of the victims marks only the beginning of a long path toward justice. This case stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing challenges law enforcement face when dealing with cold cases, particularly those involving marginalized populations such as sex workers. As the investigation unfolds, the community remains hopeful for further developments.