Remains of U.S. Army Veteran and Toddler Identified Near Gilgo Beach Killings

The identification of Tanya Denise Jackson and her two-year-old daughter, Tatiana Marie Dykes, marks a significant development in a case that has remained unsolved for nearly three decades. The pair's remains were discovered along an oceanfront highway, raising questions about their possible connection to the notorious Gilgo Beach killings on Long Island. Investigators have revealed that Jackson, who served in the U.S. Army from 1993 to 1995, was living in Brooklyn at the time of their deaths.

Nassau County police detailed the circumstances of their identification through advanced DNA and genealogy techniques. Jackson had been estranged from her family, which delayed the reporting of her and her daughter missing. The police noted that some of Jackson's remains were recovered in 1997, while additional remains were found in 2011. Although the timing and locations of these discoveries tied them to the Gilgo Beach murders, authorities have expressed that there is no current evidence linking them to Rex Heuermann, who has been charged with the deaths of several women in a separate investigation.

Authorities have reached out to the child’s father for assistance with the ongoing investigation, confirming he is cooperating and is not a suspect. The case surrounding Jackson and her daughter has reignited interest in the mysteries of Long Island's unsolved murders, compelling law enforcement to continue their efforts to seek justice. A reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest, as officials remain vigilant in uncovering the circumstances surrounding their deaths.