Man charged nearly 30 years after murder of ‘Peaches,’ whose remains were found near Gilgo Beach
Florida man charged in 1997 Gilgo Beach murder of Tania Denise Jackson
A Florida man is now facing charges nearly three decades after the bodies of Tania Denise Jackson and her 2-year-old daughter were found on Gilgo Beach. Authorities say 66-year-old Andrew Dykes appeared in a Florida courtroom after being arrested on a fugitive murder warrant out of Nassau County. Jackson, long known as “Jane Doe No. 3,” has now been identified as investigators work to close one of Long Island’s most haunting cold cases. FOX 5 NY’s Jessica Formoso reports.
LONG ISLAND - A Florida man is now facing charges in the 1997 killing of Tania Denise Jackson, whose remains were found along with those of her 2-year-old daughter, Tatiana, near Gilgo Beach.
The case went unsolved for nearly 30 years, and she was long known only by "Peaches," because of a bitten peach tattooed on her body when she was found.
What we know:
The suspected killer, Andrew Dykes, 66, appeared in a Florida courtroom Thursday, where he was charged with second-degree murder.
Authorities said he was arrested on a fugitive murder warrant out of Nassau County after living in Florida for several years.
Andrew Dykes, 66, was charged with second-degree murder.
According to court documents, Dykes fled New York after the killings.
During Thursday’s hearing, the judge outlined his extradition options — including waiving extradition or voluntarily returning to New York. Dykes said he had no questions.
"I’d like to go to New York and defend myself," he told the judge.
What we don't know:
Authorities have not disclosed the evidence against Dykes connected to the murder. It's also unclear what the connection between Andrew and Tanya is, given they have the same last name.
Featured
'Peaches' identified in 1997 cold case long associated with Gilgo Beach murders
Nassau County police have identified two murder victims from a 1997 cold case long associated with the Gilgo Beach murders on Long Island.
Who is ‘Peaches’?
The backstory:
Tanya Denise Jackson, who got the name "Peaches" because of a bitten peach tattooed on her, was first found at Hempstead Lake State Park back in 1997.
Jackson was a 26-year-old single mother and U.S. Army veteran who may have worked in a doctor’s office while living in Brooklyn.
Her daughter, once known as Baby Doe, has since been identified as Tatiana Dykes. She was 2-years-old when she was found.
Nassau County police publicly identified both victims earlier this year, linking them to a 1997 cold case long associated with the Gilgo Beach murders.
Police also shared images of jewelry the mother and daughter were wearing, as well as a photo of a car similar to the one Jackson was believed to have driven.
Investigators said Jackson was born in Alabama and had ties to Georgia, Texas and Missouri. The identifications were made possible through advances in DNA technology and a joint effort by Nassau police, the district attorney’s office and the FBI.
Featured
Who were the Gilgo Beach murder victims?
Most of the victims were young women who had been sex workers. Several of the bodies were found near the town of Gilgo Beach.
Police also released images showing jewelry the mother and daughter were wearing, along with a photo of a car similar to the one Jackson was believed to be driving.
Investigators said Jackson was born in Alabama and had ties to Georgia, Texas and Missouri. The identifications were made possible through advances in DNA technology and a joint effort by Nassau police, the district attorney’s office and the FBI.
Connection to Gilgo Beach investigation
Photographer: Newsday / James Carbone
Jackson and her daughter’s deaths have long been referenced in connection with the Gilgo Beach murders. However, no suspect had been charged in their killings until now.
Long Island architect Rex Heuermann was arrested in 2023 in connection with several Gilgo Beach killings and later charged with murdering seven women. Heuermann was never charged in the deaths of Jackson or her daughter.
The Source: This article is based on information from the Nassau County Police Department, Newsday and previous reports from FOX 5 NY.