Gilgo Beach murders: New sketches of victim released – “This person had a name”

LONG ISLAND – Long Island police have released new sketches of a Gilgo Beach murder victim.

The Suffolk County District Attorney is asking the public for help in identifying the victim – a man whose remains were found in 2011. Officials say he was probably killed in 2006 or earlier.

Sketches created using anthropological reconstructions give investigators an idea of ​​what the unidentified man – referred to by officials as “Asian Doe” – looked like.

His remains were found on Ocean Parkway, not far from the victims known as the “Gilgo Four.” Investigators say he was wearing women's clothing at the time of his death and may have been identified as a woman.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney, who held Monday's news conference, said he was between 17 and 23 years old and of southern Chinese descent, and may have been a sex worker.

“This person had a name, this person had family, this person had friends. We are reaching out to anyone who may have known this person to help us identify them,” Tierney said.

Although no further charges have been discussed against Rex Heuermann – the architect who pleaded not guilty to the murder of six sex workers – his manifesto states that he sought out Asian trans sex workers. The purpose of the renderings will hopefully jog the memories of those who may have known him.

“If you lived in the late '90s and early 2000s, think about the people you interacted with, think about the people you knew. Did anyone of Asian descent disappear?” Tierney said. “We believe 'Asian Doe' was working as a sex worker at the time of her disappearance prior to 2006. We believe she spent some time in New York before her death.”

So far, no one has been charged in connection with the death. The goal is to advance the investigation and give the victim his name back.

Who is Rex Heuermann?

Heuermann, 61, was brought to trial in June in connection with the deaths of two young women who were long believed to be victims of sex work.

The charges were filed after police recently searched Heuermann's home and a wooded area on Long Island.

Jessica Taylor disappeared in 2003 and Sandra Costilla was killed 30 years ago, in 1993.

Costilla's involvement in the trial suggests that prosecutors now believe that Heuermann has been killing women for much longer than previously thought.

Heuermann was previously charged with the killings of four other people: Megan Waterman, Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Lynn Costello and Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

What are the Gilgo Beach murders?

Since late 2010, police have been investigating the deaths of at least ten people – mostly sex workers – whose remains were discovered on a remote highway near Gilgo Beach.

Heuermann, who lived across the bay, was arrested last July.