Who is 'Asian Doe'? New Gilgo Beach victim sketches released

New sketches of the Gilgo Beach murder victim known as "Asian Doe," whose remains were recovered near Gilgo Beach in April 2011, were released Monday as authorities asked for help in identifying the person.

The renderings, created by studying the recovered remains, are what anthropologists believe the unidentified subject would have looked like, officials said.

"Asian Doe" is described as a biological male of southern Chinese descent who was between 17 and 23 years old when they were killed and left along Ocean Parkway on Long Island, Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond Tierney said at a news conference.

The victim "was wearing exclusively woman's clothing" at the time of death, and "it is possible they identified as a woman or was known by others as being a woman," Tierney said.

The victim "suffered a violent death" by blunt force trauma, Tierney said, and the remains were at Ocean Parkway for at least five years before being discovered in 2011.

"Asian Doe" may have been a sex worker before disappearing in 2006 and likely spent time in New York City, Tierney said.

"We are hopeful that with this new information and the community's assistance, we will be able to identify 'Asian Doe' and bring a resolution to the case," Tierney said.

"The task force does not forget victims and we will not stop in our pursuit of justice," Tierney added.

A $2,500 reward has been offered for information leading to the victim's identity. Tierney urged anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.

It is not clear if the death of "Asian Doe" can be linked to Rex Heuermann, who has been charged in six of the Gilgo Beach murders. Investigators found 10 other bodies in the search for missing sex worker Shannan Gilbert on a stretch of beach along Long Island's South Shore.

Asked if Heuermann was a suspect, Tierney replied, "Each one of these victims is a separate crime scene -- start from that separate crime scene and work your way up. And it’s all nice to speculate. but basically, it doesn’t matter until you can bring charges, and we’re certainly not at that stage. ... We don’t talk about it until we’re able to charge someone."

Heuermann, a New York City architect, was first charged in July 2023 with the deaths of women known as the "Gilgo Four" -- Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes and Amber Costello -- whose bodies were found covered in burlap in December 2010, according to court records.

This year, investigators charged Heuermann with the murders of two more women -- the 2003 murder of Jessica Taylor, whose remains were found on Gilgo Beach and in Manorville, and the 1993 murder of Sandra Costilla, whose remains were found in North Sea, Long Island, in 1993.

Heuermann has pleaded not guilty to the murders.