Suffolk DA Ray Tierney brings search for ID of 'Asian Doe' to NYC's Chinatown

Two dozen residents of Manhattan's Chinatown voluntarily gave DNA samples Tuesday as part of a new initiative by Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney to identify "Asian Doe," the unknown Chinese male whose body was found in 2011 along Ocean Parkway as investigators searched for the Gilgo Beach serial killer.

By late afternoon, all 24 of the DNA kits brought by Tierney's staff to an event on Division Street contained genetic samples that will be used to try to find the identify of Asian Doe through investigative genetic genealogy. The event coincided with National Night Out, a nationwide effort Tuesday to promote better relationships between communities and law enforcement.

"We got more than I expected," Tierney said, as people turned in their samples nearby at a special booth set up by his office.

The aim, said the district attorney, was to analyze the DNA provided at the event, hopefully find a relative of Asian Doe and develop an investigative lead that would eventually reveal his identity.

Asian Doe's remains were found in April 2011. Officials said he had been killed by blunt force trauma. He was clad in woman's garments, which lead investigators to suspect he might have been a sex worker. Investigators have said the victim was killed three to five years before his body was discovered. Tierney on Tuesday said the indication is now that he died six years or more before the remains were discovered. His age was estimated to be anywhere from 17 to 23 when he died.

While the Gilgo Beach investigation has been one of the most widely publicized murder investigations in recent history, some people who stopped by the booth Tuesday told staff they did not know about the case. But Chinese-language media publicized the DNA effort and likely contributed to the success of the effort, officials said.

Scores of Chinese residents massed near Tierney's booth, with some giving DNA samples for analysis and others taking flyers that contained information about the case in Chinese.

"It's a resounding success," said Suffolk Assistant District Attorney Andrew Lee, who was part of a cadre of Tierney staffers staffing the Chinatown event.

Over the years, investigators tried to use traditional DNA analysis to uncover Asian Doe's identity but those efforts failed to uncover any leads. His profile indicated he was of southern Han ancestry, one of the largest ethnic groups in China.

Rex A. Heuermann was convicted and sentenced to life in prison for the murders of seven Gilgo Beach victims. Heuermann has not been charged with the killing of Asian Doe.

With genetic genealogy, investigators hope to develop leads about how Asian Doe was killed and, eventually, to zero in on a suspect.

Tierney said his office planned to do additional DNA outreach in other Chinese communities in New York City in the hopes of developing a useful lead. He likened it to playing the lottery.

"The more samples you get the more chance you have of getting a genetic match," Tierney said.

By Anthony M. DeStefano

tony.destefano@newsday.comtonynewsday

Anthony M. DeStefano has been a reporter for Newsday since 1986 and covers law enforcement, criminal justice and legal affairs from its New York City offices.