On Monday, officials in New York shared fresh images and information about an unidentified murder victim whose skeletal remains were found in 2011 along a Long Island highway, associated with the series of murders known as the Gilgo Beach killings.

The victim, identified as “Asian Doe,” was confirmed by Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney in a news conference as a biological male of Asian heritage, estimated to be between 17 and 23 years old. The remains were discovered on April 4, 2011, along Ocean Parkway near Gilgo Beach, but investigators suspect that the victim may have died in 2006 or earlier.

At the time of discovery, the victim was found in women’s clothing, as reported by Tierney. Standing approximately 5 feet 6 inches tall, the person was dressed in a blue ribbed short-sleeve crew-neck shirt, women’s pants, and a bra.

While the exact gender identity of the victim is still unknown, Tierney mentioned that the new forensic images display the victim as both male and female. Previously released sketches from 2011 only depicted a male appearance.

“These reconstructions give an idea of what the victim may have looked like before their disappearance and murder,” Tierney stated during the press briefing. “Due to the fact that the victim was solely in women’s clothing at the time of their death, it’s plausible that they identified as a woman or were recognized by others as a woman.”

Tierney also pointed out progress in the investigation, mentioning the use of genetic genealogy to further understand the victim’s ethnicity, leading to the conclusion that the victim was likely of Southern Chinese or Han descent.

Investigation teams are asking the public for assistance in identifying the victim, who was found along the same stretch of Ocean Parkway as two other victims from Gilgo Beach, per Tierney’s statement.

“Before 2006, this individual had friends, possibly classmates or co-workers, and family,” Tierney noted. “Someone out there knows who this person is, and we urge that individual or individuals to get in touch with us.”

‘Asian Doe’ found near other victims

According to Tierney, there’s a suggestion that the victim may have been involved in sex work at the time of their disappearance and had spent some time in New York City prior to their death.

Tierney explained that the victim experienced a “violent death.” The cause of death was identified as homicide due to blunt force trauma, and the victim’s remains were on Ocean Parkway for at least five years before their discovery in 2011.

Up to now, authorities have not made any arrests related to this victim’s murder.

The Gilgo Beach serial killings spanned from the early 1990s to 2011, with many of the victims’ bodies discovered between 2010 and 2011 along Ocean Parkway. In total, at least 11 bodies were retrieved, with most identified as sex workers.

“Asian Doe” was located near two other identified victims, 22-year-old Megan Waterman and 20-year-old Jessica Taylor, according to Tierney.

“The distance from Megan Waterman was approximately 300 feet along that section of the parkway, situated between Megan Waterman and Jessica Taylor,” Tierney detailed.

“Each of these victims represents a distinct crime scene. We will start from that specific scene and continue our investigation,” Tierney stated. “Speculation is fine, but it really doesn’t matter until arrests can be made, and at this moment, we’re not there yet.”

New York architect accused of murdering 6 Gilgo Beach victims

In recent years, New York officials have charged Rex Heuermann, a former architect who lived close to the site where the remains were discovered, in connection with the deaths of six women linked to the case.

Heuermann, 60, was charged in July 2023 and earlier this year for the murders of four sex workers — including Waterman; Maureen Brainard-Barnes, 25; Melissa Barthelemy, 24; and Amber Costello, 27. In June, he was indicted for the murders of Jessica Taylor, 20, whose dismembered remains were found shortly after she vanished in 2003, and Sandra Costilla, 28, whose body was discovered in 1993.

Heuermann has denied all charges against him.

Contributors: Cybele Mayes-Osterman, Kayla Jimenez, and Christopher Cann, YSL News