Pushing forward in its aggressive effort to find the killers responsible for the 11 bodies discovered off Ocean Parkway in Babylon, the Gilgo Beach Task Force released a composite sketch of a male victim and asked for the public’s help in identifying him.
Addressing the media at a Brentwood press conference Monday morning, Suffolk District Attorney Raymond Tierney gave details of the grisly killing of “Asian Doe,” whose body was found near victims charged to architect Rex Heuerman as part of a murder spree that shocked Long Island.
“We are appealing to friends, family, associates who may recognize Asian Doe and help us in our investigation,” Tierney said. “We want to solve this case and bring closure to his family.” Tierney did not connect Heuermann to the victim but noted that the task force was continuing its analysis of forensic evidence found at the scene.
According to Tierney, Asian Doe was likely of Chinese descent, and the clues related to his identity were translated into Mandarin and other Asian dialects to appeal to anyone who may have known him. Working with task force members from the New York City Police Department and the State Police, Tierney said the Asian Doe information is being disseminated worldwide, including in five languages: English, Cantonese, Mandarin, Thai, and Bahasa.
In addition to the sketch created using the victim’s skeleton, Tierney released the name brands of the woman’s clothing the suspected sex worker was wearing at the time of his including a "Chrysantheme" blue ribbed short-sleeve shirt with crew neck, a "Rafaella" brand shirt, and a "Bill Blass" pants and bra.
The victim, estimated at between 17 and 23 years old, suffered a “violent death” with blunt force injuries to his head, Tierney said. His remains were found in 2011 along with the bodies of 10 other Gilgo victims, and he was estimated to have been killed in 2006. He was between 5’3” and 5’9” in height. Tattoos or other exterior features were not noted due to the decomposed state of the body.
Sketches of Asian Doe with both long and short hair were created by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children as part of the investigation, which Tierney ramped up after his predecessors in the district attorney’s office, Tom Spota and Tim Sini, failed to crack any of the Gilgo cases. Doe is considered to be from Southern Han, one of 56 ethnic areas in China.
In reaching out worldwide for tips, Tierney noted that there are relatively few Asians in the law enforcement databases. He urged the public to have their genomes registered both to help solve crimes and identify victims. Personal profiles from those who volunteer to enter the databases can’t be used by law enforcement without the owner’s consent,” Tierney said.
“This person had a name; he had a family, friends. Someone knows who he is,” Tierney concluded. Anyone with information can contact Crimestoppers at 800-220-TIPS. A $2,500 reward has been posted.