In a tragic turn of events, the remains of Karen Vergata, who went missing in 1994, have been identified on Fire Island. The news came as a shock to her sons, Eric Doherty, 32, and Gary Doherty, 34, who were devastated by the gruesome discovery. Eric, who had always believed his mother was missing, was inconsolable when he received the news.
In an exclusive conversation with The Post, Eric's girlfriend, Michelle Nolan, shared the heartbreaking details of their conversation. According to Nolan, Eric and Gary were actually the biological sons of Karen Vergata and a man named Gunther Lind. However, they were adopted by Edward and Diane Doherty in 1992, and though they had some knowledge of their biological mother, they were never informed about the discovery of her remains. It was their adoptive mother who eventually broke the news to them. The lack of communication between authorities and the sons of Karen Vergata raises questions about the handling of the case and the emotional toll it had on the family.
During a press conference on Friday, Suffolk County District Attorney Ray Tierney claimed that the victim's family had been made aware of the discovery. However, the lack of notification to Eric and Gary before the press conference has added to their anguish. When Eric briefly spoke to The Post, he confirmed that Vergata was indeed his mother but was too overwhelmed with grief to provide further details.
Michelle Nolan revealed that Vergata had a troubled past, struggling with drug addiction. She disappeared on February 14, 1994, at the age of 34. Nolan also mentioned that Vergata was involved in a tragic accident while pregnant with Gary in the late 1980s, resulting in Gary being born with cerebral palsy. Public records suggest that Vergata may have sued the trucking company responsible for the accident on behalf of her infant son, but further details about the lawsuit remain unknown. Eric, born in 1990, revealed that his mother "took off" shortly after his birth. Nolan added that their father had tried to help her during that time. Unfortunately, the boys' father is believed to have died of tuberculosis, although the exact date is uncertain.
As of now, Gary, who lives in a care home for adults with special needs, is not yet aware of his mother's death. At the time of her disappearance, Vergata was residing on West 45th Street and was believed to have been working as an escort, according to District Attorney Ray Tierney. Astonishingly, she was never reported missing, raising further questions about her circumstances and the people in her life.
The investigation into Karen Vergata's death began in 1996 when her legs were found in a plastic bag at Davis Park on the bayside of Fire Island's Blue Point Beach. However, at that time, investigators could only determine that the victim was a white woman with distinctive scars, including evidence of surgery on her left ankle. It wasn't until 2011 that her skull was discovered on Fire Island, finally leading to her identification.
The case of Karen Vergata's death has left her sons and loved ones with more questions than answers. The mishandling of this case, particularly the lack of communication and notification to Eric and Gary, has added to their anguish. As the investigation continues, authorities must address these issues and provide the family with the support and answers they deserve.
