True Crime Garage: Peaches ////// 877 (October 7, 2025)

Hosts: Nic & The Captain
Episode Theme:
An in-depth exploration of the “Peaches” case, a key chapter in the Long Island Serial Killer (LISK/Gilgo Beach) investigation. The hosts unravel the identification of "Peaches" and her toddler after nearly three decades, explore possible connections to Rex Heuerman, and discuss their investigation’s impact on the broader LISK narrative.

Episode Overview

Nic and The Captain take listeners through the winding, tragic story of "Peaches"—the unidentified, dismembered torso found in 1997 in Hempstead Lake State Park—and her toddler, whose remains were later discovered near Gilgo Beach. They discuss the breakthrough identification of both victims, theorize about connections to Rex Heuerman, update listeners on advances in the LISK case, and reflect on the investigative challenges and emotional weight of the story.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Case Context and the LISK Investigation

• The episode is rooted in “one of the nation’s biggest unsolved serial killer cases”—the Gilgo Beach/Long Island Serial Killer (LISK) investigation.
• Central resource: gilgocase.com for detailed victim profiles, timelines, and evidence.
• Rex Heuerman, arrested in July 2023, is in custody as the alleged Gilgo Beach/LISK murderer; as of this episode, he faces charges for seven victims, but not yet for Peaches or her child.
  (B, 04:23 & 66:37)
• The initial wave of victims, dubbed the "Gilgo Four," were found in December 2010, kicking off the latest phase of investigation.

2. The Discovery & Investigation of ‘Peaches’ (1997–2025)

Discovery (June 28, 1997)

• Hikers found a dismembered female torso wrapped in a black garbage bag, inside a green Rubbermaid container in Hempstead Lake State Park, Lakeview, NY.
• The torso was missing arms, head, and legs below the knees.
  (B, 14:54–16:31)
• Distinct features included:
  • A peach tattoo (heart-shaped, bite taken out, two droplets, ~2 inches) on the left breast.
  • An abdominal cesarean scar.
  • Accompanied by a floral Wamsutta pillowcase and possibly gold jewelry.
• Police heavily advertised the tattoo in hopes of identification, including distributing the image to tattoo magazines and local tattoo parlors.
  Memorable Moment:
  “We found an unidentified female… estimated date of death, no more than three days… She had an abdominal scar, possibly from a cesarean section, and a distinctive tattoo of a peach in the shape of a heart with a bite taken out of it…”
  (B, 22:07)

Investigative Leads & Frustrations

• A Connecticut tattoo artist, Stephen Cullen, recognized the tattoo from a 1996 session, giving police a potential backstory (possibly from Bronx/Long Island, came to Connecticut with aunt & cousin, fleeing a boyfriend). Despite this, no further identification was achieved for decades.
  (B, 35:21–37:38)
• No missing persons report matching Peaches’ description was ever found.

Discovery of Related Remains

• In 2011, remains of an unidentified toddler (“Baby Doe”) were found near Gilgo Beach, along with jewelry items believed to match those with Peaches' torso.
• DNA testing later confirmed Peaches was the mother of the toddler.
  (B, 52:03–53:32)

3. Connections, Breakthroughs, and Identification

Breakthrough with DNA & Othram (2022–2025)

• In 2022, law enforcement requested information about relatives of a deceased Alabama man, strongly suggesting a familial DNA connection had nearly identified Peaches.
• In April 2025, authorities formally identified Peaches as Tanya Denise Jackson (b. October 1970), a US Army veteran, and her daughter as Tatiana Marie Dykes. (B, 57:06–60:16)
• Tanya served in the Gulf War, lived in Brooklyn (multiple addresses & PO Boxes), and was estranged from family for most of her adult life.
• Tatiana’s father, Andrew Dykes, was located and has been cooperative but not officially cleared as a suspect.

Hypotheses on Disappearance

• Tanya was likely working part-time as a medical assistant and may have also engaged in sex work. It’s theorized she attended a meeting (possibly work-related) with her daughter due to lack of childcare, and both were subsequently murdered.
• No one reported Tanya or her daughter missing—a testament to her isolation and estrangement. Memorable Moment:
  “The saddest thing about the Peaches case is that nobody reported her missing or reported her daughter missing. It’s sad to think… people, I guess, just didn’t value her…”
  (C, 62:29)

4. Connections to Gilgo Four, Cherries, and Serial Offender Theory

• The hosts compare the “Peaches” and “Cherries” cases—the latter found in 2007, also dismembered, with a fruit tattoo and similar disposal method—raising strong suspicion of a single, evolving offender.
• They posit the killer learned over time to better conceal victims and avoid detection (e.g., switching from plastic bins to more natural materials like burlap).
  (B, 44:45–47:19)
  • “He was learning, he was educating himself… taking notes, almost setting reminders of, hey, last time this didn’t work out.”
    (B, 45:46)
• Theories suggest Rex Heuerman may be tied to Peaches, but as of episode release, no charges filed.
  • Chillingly, Heuerman’s digital forensics revealed deep study of serial killers, “distortion and destruction” of identifying marks, and disturbing web searches.
    (C, 56:40)

5. The Ongoing LISK Case & Rex Heuerman’s Update

• Heuerman, a hulking New York architect, was arrested thanks to witness tips, digital forensics, a green Chevrolet Avalanche, and “the famous discarded pizza crust” DNA match.
• He currently faces trial for seven of the murders; defense failed to sever the cases, so all charges will be tried together (a major prosecution advantage).
  (B, 66:37–68:44)
• Heuerman remains in custody awaiting trial in January 2026; he has pleaded not guilty. His digital life, personality, and chilling apparent detachment are discussed.
  • “...the judge also ruled… denied the defense’s request to sever the seven murder cases… When you throw all the cases together, you see it very clearly. This guy looks to be very guilty.”
    (B, 68:45)
• The hosts debate the psychology of serial offenders: how they react after capture, why some confess and others don’t, and the dark pride some seem to take in their crimes’ “statistics.”

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On the trail of identification:
  “We’re finally… able to tell you the identities of two victims… The mother's name was Tanya. The baby's name was Tatiana... Knowing the identities… is just a first step to help us get to solving these murders.”
  — [Guest Speaker] (A, 03:07)

• On the state of forensic investigation:
  “Othram, the great Othram… was a partner in building the DNA profiles for both Tanya and Tatiana.”
  — (B, 64:05)

• On the deeper tragedy:
  “It’s sad to think that there’s somebody out in this world that people, I guess they just didn’t value her.”
  — (C, 62:29)

• On the killer’s evolution:
  “He was working to get better. This goes… against the old serial killer myth that they all, deep down, want to get caught… When you see somebody learning and trying to perfect the way… the bodies would not be located, that’s every indication that this guy has no desire to get caught.”
  — (B, 45:46)

Important Timestamps

• [03:07–04:23] Announcement of “Peaches” and “Baby Doe” identifications; call for public help.
• [14:54–19:08] Detailed walk-through of 1997 torso discovery and evidence.
• [22:07–24:14] Police efforts to use distinctive tattoo for identification.
• [35:21–37:38] Tattoo artist in Connecticut comes forward; still no full identification.
• [52:03–53:32] DNA confirmation that Peaches and Baby Doe are mother and child.
• [57:06–60:16] Official identification of Tanya Denise Jackson and Tatiana Marie Dykes.
• [68:44–69:54] Retrospective on Heuerman’s upcoming consolidated trial, legal strategy, and status.

Conclusion

The episode closes with the hosts expressing empathy for the victims and frustration at the length of time justice takes, but optimism at forensic advances and law enforcement persistence. Tanya (“Peaches”) and Tatiana have finally been named, but their murders—like so many in the LISK/Gilgo Beach web—await definitive answers.

For More Information

The hosts encourage listeners to visit gilgocase.com, Othram’s resources, and True Crime Garage’s archives for more on the LISK investigation, relevant victim cases, and ongoing trial updates.

Tone: Respectful, thorough, with True Crime Garage’s signature blend of wry humor and compassion for victims and their families.
Key Takeaway: Decades-old mysteries can still find justice as investigative tools and public attention evolve—and every lost woman and child deserves a name.