Suffolk Cold Case Unit Identifies Six Victims

Six people who remained unidentified in Suffolk County death investigations dating back nearly 50 years have been identified through advances in forensic technology, District Attorney Raymond Tierney announced. Three were homicide victims whose identities remained mysteries for decades. The identifications resulted from investigations by the Suffolk County District Attorney’s Cold Case Task Force and Suffolk County Police Department.

“Every person deserves to be known by their name, and every victim deserves answers and justice,” Tierney said. “Restoring their identities is about more than solving a cold case. It’s the first step in determining what happened to them and giving their families long-awaited answers that they deserve.”

The three homicide victims include Ramon Perez Y Rivera, 41, previously known as “Raymond Doe,” who was discovered shot and burned in Deer Park in November 1976.

Sofia Margherita Marrone, 73, previously called “Montauk Mary,” was found shot four times near Montauk Highway in March 1978.

Antoinette Rugg, 26, known as “Heckscher Jane Doe,” was discovered buried in sand at Heckscher State Park in April 1978. Investigators determined she had been strangled.

Three additional individuals were identified or publicly named.

Kyong-Ok Kim, 32, previously known publicly as “Riverhead Jane Doe,” was discovered near Osborne Avenue in Riverhead in March 1990.

Omelios Steward, 28, was found floating in the Atlantic Ocean south of Fire Island in November 1990.

Andreas Kupke, 27, a German citizen, was discovered near Ditch Plains in Montauk on Christmas Eve 1999.

"For far too long, these victims remained unidentified, but they were never forgotten," Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina said.

Investigators credited advanced DNA sequencing, genetic genealogy, fingerprint analysis and international cooperation for the identifications. Authorities are asking anyone with information about the cases to contact Suffolk Crime Stoppers at 1-800-220-TIPS.