Summary
In April 2011, the remains of a toddler were found near Ocean Parkway on Long Island in Suffolk County, New York. It was determined that the child was the daughter of an unknown woman, initially nicknamed “Jane Doe 3." Jane Doe 3 was later determined to be "Peaches," a Jane Doe, whose partial remains were found several miles away in 1997. Both Baby Doe and Peaches were identified on April 23, 2025.
The pair were found during an extraodinary months-long search effort by police across Long Island that uncovered the remains of ten people. The massive search began in 2010 as police looked for Shannan Gilbert, who had gone missing earlier that year. In December 2010, four other sets of human remains were found on Gilgo Beach in Suffolk County. These four--Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, Amber Lynn Costello, and Maureen Brainard-Barnes--were dubbed “The Gilgo Four.”
Police continued to search along Ocean Parkway and in April 2011 they found six more sets of remains; an unidentified Asian biological male dubbed “Asian Doe,” “Fire Island Jane Doe” who was identified as Karen Vergata in 2023 using technology developed by Othram, Jessica Taylor and Valerie Mack, both of whom had been found partially in Manorville in 2003 and 2000.
The details of the toddler's unidentified person case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP9704. Despite law enforcement’s exhaustive efforts, the toddler, and her mother, remained unidentified.
Evidence was submitted to Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify Peaches and Baby Doe. Forensic evidence was sent to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract from the forensic evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to build a comprehensive genealogical profile. After successfully completing the process, the DNA profile was delivered to the FBI's forensic genetic genealogy team and the FBI team performed the necessary work to generate investigative leads. A follow-up investigation eventually able to confirmed the identity of Baby Doe as two-year-old Tatiana Dykes.
The identification of Tatiana Dykes and Tanya Jackson represent the 12th and 13th cases in the State of New York where officials have publicly identified an individual using technology developed by Othram. To read about other cases in New York, visit DNASolves.
Dan Miller
Director of Customer Service
Dan guides law enforcement agencies across the United States and internationally through every step of the forensic process—from crime scene to courtroom. He ensures investigators have the support and resources they need to navigate advanced DNA testing and maximize the impact of forensic evidence in their cases.