181-Year-Old Cold Case Solved: NJ Beach Bones Identified

A centuries-old mystery has been solved thanks to the innovative work of students at Ramapo College in New Jersey. Bones found on the state's beaches between 1995 and 2013 have been identified as those of Captain Henry Goodsell, who died in a shipwreck in 1844. The breakthrough came when New Jersey State Police cold case detectives turned to the college's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. Using DNA technology and genealogical research, students were able to trace the bones back to Goodsell's great-great-granddaughter in Maryland. "It was almost like an 'Oh my God' moment," said one of the researchers. The discovery marks the oldest case solved using investigative genetic genealogy, according to the researchers. While Goodsell's family has chosen not to claim the remains, the case highlights the power of collaboration and technology in uncovering historical truths. The bones will remain at a state repository.