Remains Found 35 Years Ago Finally Identified as Missing New Yorker
The mystery of what happened to a man who disappeared from New York state in the 1970s is finally solved. Law enforcement recently identified skeletal remains found almost 35 years ago, serving as a testament to the power of modern DNA profiling. Here are the details of this true crime story.
Decades-Old Missing Man Case Solved in New York
The skeletal remains found in a drained swamp almost 35 years ago have now been tied to a man who disappeared in 1976. The human bones were found on September 14, 1991, following the drainage of a swamp located in Orange County, New York. According to a press release from the New York State Police (NYSP), the remains were found in the swamp in the town of Grenville off Woods Road.
The news release detailed that the police found a skull and other skeletal remains scattered within a radius of seven feet. Some of the remains were buried about one foot underground. Although the bones were found alongside several personal items, police said that these belongings did not provide any clues about the man's identity. This is because the belongings had been exposed to so many natural elements after being submerged in water for so many years. Water is known to be particularly corrosive over time.
State police performed what they said was a “thorough and exhaustive investigation” over the years, trying to determine the victim's identity. Last year, the NYSP submitted the remains to Othram, a forensic laboratory known for its ability to identify human remains using limited samples. The lab also has a reputation for being able to identify remains from bones and items that have been degraded over time.
Othram got to work building a comprehensive DNA profile that was sent back to law enforcement with more information. Police were then able to use this information to generate a forensic genetic genealogy search.
Also in 2024, the personal property found near the remains was submitted to the FBI's Questioned Documents Unit (QDU) in Quantico, Virginia. The QDU specializes in parsing out clues left behind to provide theories about a document's origin or its authenticity. Established in 1932, this unit is best known for examining handwriting samples, printing processes, show prints, tire treads, plastic bags, and more to isolate clues that may not be visible to the naked eye. Using this analysis, investigators were able to determine that the victim may have once lived in Port Jervis, New York.
How the Case Evolved After the FBI Analysis
The Port Jervis Police Department was able to find a hard-copy blotter entry going back to October 1, 1976. The entry indicated a missing person report for 76-year-old Mikolai Celesz. He had originally been reported as missing by a family member.
Fast forward to 2025, and investigators performed extensive historical research and intelligence gathering related to Celesz. From here, they were able to obtain DNA samples from members of the missing man's family. Investigators had to travel to Florida to meet with the surviving family members and obtain the samples. The NYSP was then able to confirm that the remains had been conclusively identified as Celesz, solving the decades-long mystery.
Law enforcement is still trying to determine the details surrounding the victim's initial disappearance. The NYSP expressed its gratitude to the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their assistance. The agency is asking for anyone with information related to Celesz's disappearance to contact NYSP Troop F Communications.
This is the 17th case from New York that the Othram lab was able to solve using its latest technology. Port Jervis is located in southern New York State near the borders of Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
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