More than three decades after skeletal remains were found partially buried along Interstate 95, investigators say they finally know who it was. On Nov. 28, 1992, remains were found in the marsh grass in Newburyport, Massachusetts, along the highway. An autopsy was conducted, and although no cause of death was declared, the body was determined to be that of a teenage boy. The identity of the teen remained unknown for 32 years. On Thursday, the Essex District Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of Othram, a private forensic laboratory in Woodlands, Texas, announced the remains are those of Anthony Angelli Rea. Rea was born in 1973 and lived part of his childhood in Malden with his mother. He was reported missing from the Harbor School in Newbury in August 1988.Othram scientists were able to extract enough DNA from skeletal remains to develop a profile. That profile led investigators to potential relatives, and ultimately to Rea. Anyone with any information about Rea is asked to call the State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 855-MA-SOLVE.EDITOR’S NOTE: The Essex County District Attorney’s Office initially released pictures of Rea’s brother, erroneously identifying him as the 15-year-old. The photos were of Rea’s brother, Darren, who died in 2008.
More than three decades after skeletal remains were found partially buried along Interstate 95, investigators say they finally know who it was.
On Nov. 28, 1992, remains were found in the marsh grass in Newburyport, Massachusetts, along the highway. An autopsy was conducted, and although no cause of death was declared, the body was determined to be that of a teenage boy.
The identity of the teen remained unknown for 32 years.
On Thursday, the Essex District Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of Othram, a private forensic laboratory in Woodlands, Texas, announced the remains are those of Anthony Angelli Rea. Rea was born in 1973 and lived part of his childhood in Malden with his mother. He was reported missing from the Harbor School in Newbury in August 1988.
Othram scientists were able to extract enough DNA from skeletal remains to develop a profile. That profile led investigators to potential relatives, and ultimately to Rea.
Anyone with any information about Rea is asked to call the State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 855-MA-SOLVE.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The Essex County District Attorney’s Office initially released pictures of Rea’s brother, erroneously identifying him as the 15-year-old. The photos were of Rea’s brother, Darren, who died in 2008.
