Joseph Augustus Zarelli | |
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| Born | January 13, 1953 |
| Status | Identified on December 8, 2022 (65 years, 9 months, and 13 days after discovery) |
| Died | February 1957 (aged 4)[1][2] |
| Cause of death | Homicide by blunt force trauma |
| Body discovered | February 25, 1957 Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, U.S. |
| Resting place | Ivy Hill Cemetery, Cedarbrook, Philadelphia, U.S |
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| Height | 3 ft 6 in (1.07 m) |
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Joseph Augustus Zarelli (January 13, 1953[5] – February 1957), previously known as the "Boy in the Box", "Boy in a Box" or "America's Unknown Child", was an American 4-year-old male whose nude, malnourished, beaten body was found on the side of Susquehanna Road, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 25, 1957. Joseph appeared to have been cleaned and freshly groomed, with a recent haircut and trimmed fingernails, although he had suffered extensive physical attacks prior to his death, with multiple bruises on his body. He was also severely malnourished. His body was covered with scars, some of which were surgical (most notably on his ankle, groin and chin). Authorities believe that the cause of death was homicide by blunt force trauma.[6]
Despite the publicity and sporadic interest throughout the years, the boy's identity remained unknown for over half a century. On November 30, 2022, the Philadelphia Police Department announced that detectives had determined the boy's identity using DNA and genealogical databases.[6][7] On December 8, 2022, more than 65 years after his body was found, he was publicly identified. Despite the identification, the exact circumstances leading to his death are uncertain and the case is still considered an open homicide investigation.
- ^ "International Center for Unidentified & Missing Persons - 4UMPA". The Doe Network. July 23, 2006. Retrieved November 9, 2019.
- ^ "National Missing and Unidentified Persons System - #UP13111". National Missing and Unidentified Persons System. November 18, 2014. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ Michael Rubinkam, Associated Press (December 8, 2022). "66 years later, Philadelphia's 'Boy in a Box' has a name". York Dispatch.
- ^ a b Cite error: The named reference
parentswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Acosta, Nicole (December 8, 2022). "Philadelphia's 'Boy in the Box' Identified After 65 Years In One Of City's Oldest Unsolved Murders". People Magazine. Retrieved December 9, 2022.
- ^ a b Holden, Joe (November 30, 2022). "Exclusive: Philadelphia Police Uncover Name of the "Boy in the Box"". CBS News. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Yakubovsky, Jessica (December 8, 2022). "Philadelphia Police identify the "Boy in the Box" after 65 years". PHL17.com. Retrieved December 8, 2022.