Florida man arrested for 1997 murder of woman previously connected to Gilgo Beach murders

NEW YORK The 1997 homicide of a young woman discovered in a Long Island state park, whose body had been dismembered and could only be identified by a peach-shaped tattoo, has finally seen a breakthrough. For years, the case remained unsolved until 2011, when investigators uncovered additional skeletal remains along with the body of her 2-year-old daughter near Gilgo Beach, contributing to an investigation that became notorious for the murders of women in the area.

This week, authorities arrested a man in connection with the killing of Tanya Denise Jackson, the woman identified from the earlier investigation, according to sources familiar with the case. Andrew Dykes, 66, is reported to be the father of the child, Tatiana Marie Jackson. Dykes was apprehended in Tampa and is currently held at the Hillsborough County Jail in Florida pending extradition to Long Island. No information about his attorney has been released. Representatives for the Nassau County District Attorney have declined to comment.

Another individual, Rex Heuermann, an architect from Long Island, has previously been charged in seven of the Gilgo Beach murders and maintains his innocence. There is no known connection between Dykes and Heuermann.

Investigators discovered a total of ten sets of human remains along the beach parkway. Many of the victims were women whose disappearances had not been thoroughly examined. Police have long considered the possibility of a serial killer, though they noted the area could have been used as a dumping ground by more than one perpetrator.

As recently as April, authorities had not confirmed whether Heuermann was responsible for the deaths of Jackson and her daughter. Police identified Jackson, previously known as "Peaches" due to her tattoo, as Jane Doe #3. She was 26 at the time of her death, a Gulf War veteran from Mobile, Alabama, and lived in Brooklyn with her daughter. She had limited contact with her family.

Advanced DNA analysis and genealogical research allowed investigators to confirm the identities of both Jackson and her child. Authorities indicated that at the time, the childs father was cooperating with the investigation and was not considered a suspect. Additional details regarding Dykes arrest have not been released, and he is expected to be extradited to New York in the coming days.

Author: Logan Reeves