Breakthrough in Cold Case Could Unravel 28-Year-Old Mystery of Grisly Murders

MOBILE, Ala. ( WALA ) - A break in a 28-year-old cold case could help solve a decades-long mystery of the gruesome murders of a Mobile woman and her two-year-old child.

What started with a horrifying discovery in Lakeview, New York in 1997 was just the beginning. The torso of a 26-year-old woman in Hempstead Lake State Park was uncovered. Then in 2011, her two year old daughter’s body was found nearby. Both murders remain a big mystery to this day.

There has also been speculation whether or not these homicides have anything to do with the accused Gilgo Beach serial killer Rex Heuermann, but Nassau Police have not been able to confirm that.

For years the unidentified woman was only known as ‘Peaches’ because of a tattoo she had. Now the homicide victim and army veteran finally has a name. New York authorities held a press conference Wednesday and identified the victims as Tanya Jackson and her daughter Tatiana Dykes through DNA and genealogy research.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly said the break in the case spurs them forward.

“We will follow every lead,” said Donnelly. “We will pull at every thread until we can get justice for this mother and this child.”

Investigators said Tanya was an army veteran from Mobile and had been living in Brooklyn with her daughter when they were murdered. Pictures show the type of jewelry Tanya and Tatiana were wearing and what kind of car she was driving the time.

The Mobile Police Department is working with Nassau Police to seek the public’s help in locating Tanya’s family or friends in Mobile County in connection with this tragic homicide.

If Tanya Jackson has any relatives living in Mobile County, we would like to talk to them, particularly those who might possess details about this cold case," stated Roderick Miles from the Mobile Police Department as their Public Information Officer. "This could be an excellent moment for these individuals to step up and assist in bringing some resolution to her family.

It has been reported that Tanya and Tatiana were buried in Alabama. Authorities have stated that if you had any contact with the victims, you should promptly reach out to the FBI or Crime Stoppers, and a reward of $25,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest.