WILMINGTON, Del. – A collaborative effort by New Castle County Police, university experts and community volunteers has finally identified human remains discovered in Sellers Park, bringing closure to a family after almost 25 years.
From discovery to identification
Officers first responded to the park in 2011 and recovered a skull and other bones. Initial forensic analysis suggested the remains were those of a female between 25 and 50 years old, but DNA testing at the time failed to produce a match in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
In 2019 the county’s Cold Case Squad reopened the investigation, noting rapid advances in DNA technology. “From 2011 to 2019, there were a lot of scientific changes with DNA and science, and it was a good time to review this case,” said M/Cpl. Richard Chambers, the department’s public information officer.
Forensic art and genealogy help crack the case
Detectives enlisted Joe Mullins, a forensic art professor at George Mason University, to create a facial reconstruction from a 3D scan of the skull. Mullins described the process: “It’s just a skull on an armature. Then you slowly start to build up the muscles, the tissue depth markers, the nose, the lips; the features start to reveal themselves.”
Using the DNA profile and investigative genealogy, detectives found a potential family match in January. A relative informed police that in 2002 bones had been illegally removed from the mausoleum of Hannah Graham Kleitz, who died in 1907 at age 29 from a medical illness.
Family receives long‑awaited closure
Police confirmed the remains matched Kleitz, and last week the bones were re‑interred at Riverview Cemetery in Wilmington. “It was very emotional,” Chambers said. “It was good to see her back where she belonged.” Mullins added, “It’s certainly a win for Hannah’s family. We’re not leaving any rock unturned.”
The department continues to work on numerous cold cases listed on its website and encourages anyone with information to come forward.
Original reporting: Allentown News – 6abc Philadelphia — read the source article.
