Suspect arrested for the murder of a woman previously believed to be a victim linked to the Gilgo Beach case.
A significant development has emerged in the decades-old case surrounding the 1997 killing of Tanya Denise Jackson, affectionately known as “Peaches.” Authorities have arrested Andrew Dykes, 66, in connection with her murder. His apprehension occurred near Tampa, Florida, on a warrant issued by Nassau County, New York. Dykes faces two counts of murder, including that of Jackson. Currently, he remains in the Hillsborough County jail, where he awaits extradition to New York for further legal proceedings.
Tanya Denise Jackson’s remains were discovered in June 1997, concealed within a container in Hempstead Lake State Park. For many years, her identity was unknown, and she was referred to by the nickname “Peaches” due to a distinctive tattoo depicting the fruit. The tragic saga deepened in 2011 when the remains of her daughter, identified as “Baby Doe,” were unearthed along Ocean Parkway in Nassau County. These discoveries linked Jackson’s case to the broader investigation involving the notorious Gilgo Beach serial killer, whose known victims included several other individuals.
Recent advancements in forensic science, specifically genetic genealogy, played a pivotal role in resolving the identities of both Jackson and her daughter. Earlier this year, Nassau County officials confirmed their identities through this modern approach to crime-solving. Jackson was a U.S. Army veteran, aged 26 at the time of her death. Dykes is also believed to be the father of Jackson’s child, Tatiana Dykes. Investigators utilized Dykes’ last name as a lead in their pursuit of the suspect, highlighting how family connections can often aid in criminal investigations.
This development comes in the wake of the arrest of Rex Heuermann, an architect from Massapequa Park, Long Island, who was taken into custody on July 13, 2023, in relation to the Gilgo Beach case. Heuermann has been charged with seven murders, including that of six women whose bodies were found in proximity to those of Baby Doe.
As the legal proceedings unfold, the case of Tanya Denise Jackson continues to captivate public interest, exemplifying the ongoing challenges that law enforcement faces in resolving cold cases. The intersection of forensic advancements and family connections is shedding new light on old mysteries, underscoring the importance of persistence in the pursuit of justice.
