A woman’s torso discovered in New York remains unidentified. The FBI seeks public assistance to help identify her and provide closure for her loved ones.
This cold case dates back nearly 30 years. The woman, known only as Jane Doe or Peaches, was murdered and dismembered. Her remains were found in Lakeview, New York, on June 28, 1997. She is estimated to have died around June 26. Her body was found in a Rubbermaid container, accompanied by a red towel and a floral pillowcase. The container was located in a wooded area of Hempstead Lake State Park.
“Both arms, her head, and legs below the knee were severed and not recovered until 2011 in Jones Beach State Park. On December 13, 2016, DNA analysis linked an unidentified toddler found on Gilgo Beach to this victim.”
As of 2024, her head/skull remains missing. According to Wikipedia, police received a tip from Steve Cullen, a tattoo artist in Connecticut, who recalled tattooing the woman. Cullen described her as a young Black woman, around 18 or 19 years old, who was with her aunt and cousin during the tattoo session. He mentioned she was from either the Bronx or Long Island.
The FBI is also looking into Elijah “Lige” Howell/Howard (1927–1963), who lived in Prichard, Alabama, with his wife Carrie. Howell/Howard died in Mobile, Alabama, in 1963, while residing with Ms. Lillie Mae Wiggins Packer. Authorities suspect he might be related to Peaches.
Many believe she could be a victim of the Long Island Serial Killer. Rex Heuermann, a 59-year-old architect from Massapequa Park, Long Island, was arrested on July 13, 2023, in Midtown. He worked near the Empire State Building and is charged with three counts of first-degree murder. Heuermann’s attorney asserts his innocence.
Here is what is known about Jane Doe, aka Peaches:
- Age: 16 to 30 years old
- Hair Color: Brown
- Eye Color: Brown
- Sex: Female
- Race: Black
- Scars and Marks: A scar on her abdomen, likely from a cesarean section, and a tattoo of a peach shaped like a heart with a bite on her left breast.
Anyone with information that could help identify Peaches should contact their local FBI office.
