Suffolk County officials are appealing to New Yorkers of Chinese descent to provide DNA samples to aid in identifying an unidentified young Asian man found in 2011 as part of the Gilgo Beach murder investigations. The victim, referred to by authorities as “Asian Doe,” was discovered wearing women’s clothing, including a Chrysanthemum shirt, Bill Blass pants, and a bra, and had died from blunt force trauma to the head. His remains were found during the Long Island search for missing women linked to serial killer Rex Heuermann.

Although Heuermann, who pleaded guilty on April 8 to the murders of eight women, including Karen Vergata—a 34-year-old mother who was not previously connected to him—has not been charged in connection with Asian Doe’s death, authorities hope new genetic techniques will provide answers.

Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney announced that his office is using Investigative Genetic Genealogy, a method leveraging public databases and volunteered genetic material, to locate relatives of the unidentified victim. By comparing DNA profiles, investigators aim to establish familial connections that could lead to confirming the victim’s identity and potentially uncover information about his killer.

Tierney and his team set up a booth during a community event in Chinatown to encourage participation, emphasizing that the approach can trace familial relationships even as distant as third cousins. Analysts from the Suffolk County Crime Lab have been deployed to Asian-American communities across New York City, particularly those with populations from the southern Han region of China, seeking to collect DNA samples via cheek swabs.

Recognizing concerns within immigrant communities about privacy and trust, the DA’s office is collaborating with Chinese-American officers from both the Suffolk County Police Department and the New York Police Department to serve as trusted liaisons. Tierney acknowledged that immigrant communities tend to be wary of such requests and stressed the importance of credible representatives in facilitating cooperation.

The victim is believed to have been a recent immigrant from southern China, estimated to be between 17 and 23 years old, and approximately 5 feet 3 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall. Authorities continue to ask anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at (800) 577-TIPS, assuring confidentiality for all callers.