Suffolk County investigators identify six cold case victims

We're now able to public publicly identify these individuals for the first time to give them their names back. Suffolk District Attorney Ray Tierney announcing the identities of six cold case victims whose bodies were found decades ago. The oldest case dates back to 1976. The most recent was in 1999. Three of the individuals were homicide victims, the DA calling this a significant step in the investigations. For decades, these cases were hampered by a fundamental question. We did not know who these individuals were. All homicide investigations start with that individual's identity. We work out from there." The three homicide victims were identified using next-generation sequencing and investigative genetic genealogy. These techniques allow investigators to use a relative's DNA to get a positive ID. The technology helped identify two Gilgo Beach victims, Valerie Mack and Karen Vergata. It also led authorities to the Gilgo killer, Rex Heuermann. The DA recently testified in Albany in support of these new investigative techniques. These cases today... Highlight the importance of leveraging next-generation sequencing and investigative genetic genealogy. Now, so far, there have been no criminal charges in any of those cases. The investigations do remain active, and if you have any information about those victims, you should contact Suffolk Police.