Two weeks after announced the arrest of the suspected Gilgo Beach serial killer, investigators in Suffolk County (NY) and Othram have announced the identification of "Jane Doe Seven," who is thought to be the killer's first victim. In August 2022, a DNA profile suitable for genealogical comparison was developed from the remains, and in September 2022, the FBI identified the remains as Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old escort from Manhattan, through genealogy review. Now, nearly a year later, authorities were able to use a relative’s DNA to confirm Vergata as the victim.
In April 1996, the legs of a then-unidentified woman were recovered inside of a black garbage bag at Blue Point Beach in Suffolk County. The case immediately went cold. Fifteen years later in April 2011, while looking for more victims of a suspected serial killer, investigators recovered a skull and determined through DNA analysis that the legs and skull were from the same body. (The victim's torso and hands were never recovered.)
In 1996, investigators determined the victim was white and likely between the ages of 18 and 50. They discovered several scars on the decedent’s right leg. including a 3 1/2” on the lateral mid-leg area, a 1” linear scar on the lateral mid to lower leg, and a ½” scar on the medial ankle. The woman’s left leg had a 2" surgical scar with adjacent suture scars on the medial left ankle. The woman had red nail polish on all toes that, at the time of her discovery, was noted to be from a recent pedicure. The woman’s height and weight as well as other identifying characteristics could not be estimated.
Because she could not be identified, the woman became known as “Jane Doe Seven” and “Fire Island Jane Doe.” In 2011, details of the woman's unidentified person case were entered into the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs) as UP9098. Despite law enforcement’s exhaustive efforts, Fire Island Jane Doe remained unidentified.
In 2022, the Suffolk County Police Department in collaboration with the FBI teamed with Othram to determine if advanced DNA testing could help to identify Fire Island Jane Doe. Forensic evidence was sent to Othram’s laboratory in The Woodlands, Texas. Othram scientists developed a suitable DNA extract from the forensic evidence and then used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing to build a comprehensive genealogical profile. After successfully completing the process, the DNA profile was delivered to the FBI's forensic genetic genealogy team and the FBI team performed the necessary work to generate investigative leads.
In September 2022, the FBI identified the remains as Karen Vergata, a 34-year-old escort from Manhattan who went missing on Valentine's Day 1996, making her the Gilgo Beach Serial Killer's likley first victim. Nearly a year later, in August 2023, authorities were able to use a relative’s DNA to confirm Vergata as the victim.
The FBI team working with Suffolk County Police Department continued the investigation and were eventually able to confirmed the identity of Fire Island Jane Doe as Karen Vergata of Manhattan, New York. Vergata was 34 years old at the time of her death. Vergata was missing since Valentine's Day in 1996.
Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney did not link alleged killer Rex Heuermann to Vergata’s death in his announcement. He didn’t comment on any other potential suspects either. Heuermann is charged with three counts of first-degree murder in the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy in 2009 and Megan Waterman and Amber Costello in 2010. He is also the prime suspect in the 2007 disappearance and death of a fourth woman, Maureen Brainard-Barnes.
Othram contributed to this report.