Investigators in Philadelphia are currently in the process of exhuming samples from eight bodies buried in a potter’s field in the hopes of utilizing advancements in DNA technology to identify these long-ago victims and potentially uncover details about how they died. Among the victims being examined are a 4- to 6-year-old girl discovered deceased in 1962, an infant boy found in 1983, and three men and three women found between 1972 and 1984.
Ryan Gallagher, the assistant director of the Philadelphia Police Department’s forensics unit, emphasized the significance of providing closure to families through identification. The ongoing effort is part of the city’s extensive initiative to identify unknown deceased individuals who were laid to rest in the small field in northeast Philadelphia up until the late 1980s. Collaborating with genetic genealogists, the city Medical Examiner’s Office, the FBI, and other resources, detectives aim to solve the mystery surrounding the identities and causes of death of these individuals. Some of this investigative work, not only in Philadelphia but also elsewhere, is being funded through federal grants.
Recent scientific advancements have kindled optimism for investigators, especially following the successful identification of the city’s most notable unclaimed victim, known for decades as “America’s Unknown Child” or “The Boy in the Box.” After years of effort, the child found inside a cardboard box in 1957 was identified in late 2022 as 4-year-old Joseph Augustus Zarelli. Although theories about his death exist, conclusive findings have yet to be announced.
The case of Joseph Augustus Zarelli is part of a broader trend of revisiting and sometimes resolving cold cases across the country, including the Golden State Killer, through the use of genetic genealogy. The dedication of those involved in the case led to Joseph’s relocation from the city-owned potter’s field to a prominent spot in Ivy Hill Cemetery, where a new headstone featuring his name and picture was unveiled on what would have been his 70th birthday last year.
With the ultimate goal of providing closure to families, detectives remain hopeful that they can achieve similar outcomes for the eight victims currently under investigation, all of whom died under violent or suspicious circumstances. By potentially locating family members through DNA tracing, authorities aim to reconstruct the stories of these individuals.
Lieutenant Thomas Walsh, reflecting on the rewarding nature of this investigative work, highlighted the relief experienced by families upon the identification of their missing loved ones, despite the tragic circumstances of their deaths. Walsh emphasized the blend of art and science that characterizes the years-long process of solving cold cases, underscoring the pivotal role of traditional police work alongside modern technological advancements.
The relentless pursuit of unraveling these mysteries embodies a mix of cutting-edge techniques and traditional methods, with Walsh emphasizing the importance of the occasional “eureka moment” that arises during these investigations. As the efforts continue at the potter’s field, the dedication of the investigators serves as a beacon of hope for families eagerly awaiting answers surrounding their long-lost loved ones.