Advanced Forensic Testing Helps Identify Human Remains Found in 1991 in Greenville, New York

Human remains found in Orange County have finally been identified.

Human Remains Found in Greenville, NY in 1991

According to a New York State Police press release back on September 14th, 1991, human remains were discovered in Orange County.

These bones were uncovered after a swamp was drained near Woods Road in the Town of Greenville.

The New York State Police in Middletown responded to the scene and according to the press release responding officers "located a skull and additional skeletal remains concentrated within a seven-foot radius."

They add that a portion of the remains were "buried under approximately one foot of earth." There were some belongings that were found with the remains but "due to the passage of time and exposure to the elements" law enforcement was unable to use the information to identify the individual.

With that being said, coins found on the victim "revealed that he may have went missing in the mid 1970s."

New DNA Analysis Narrows Down Victims Identity 30+ Years Later

Since the remains were initially found, there have been many improvements in DNA testing and forensic analysis.

These improvements have aided in figuring out who these remains belong to. The New York State Police explain that Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation "conducted a thorough and exhaustive investigation."

The investigation included interviews, media releases, regional checks for missing persons, multiple DNA submissions and the utilization of CODIS and NAMUS."

In 2024 authorities were able to obtain a familial DNA sample from the victims remains. They used this DNA for Forensic Genetic Genealogy analysis. While they were able to learn that the victim had roots in Eastern Europe, they were not able to narrow down the victims identity.

Later in 2024, personal property from the victim was sent to the the Questioned Documents Unit in Quantico. The NYS Police explain the state-of-the-art analysis found a "critical lead suggesting the victim may have resided in the City of Port Jervis, New York."

After 34 Years Human Remains Identified in Orange County

The new information gave Troop F BCI narrowed the search down even more allowing authorities to initiate "targeted interviews and additional investigative steps in the City of Port Jervis."

Through this part of the investigation they found a blotter entry from October 1st, 1976 of a missing person report for 76-year old Mikolai Celesz.

The New York State Police Cold Case Unit along with the NYS Intelligence Center and the FBI Organized Crime Unit dug further and collected more information about Celesz.

Recently, members from Troop F BCI went to Florida to interview surviving relatives of Celesz. DNA from family members was also collected and analyzed by NYS Police Forensic Investigation Center. These DNA samples "resulted in a positive identification."

Meaning the human remains found in 1991 belonged to Mikolai Celesz.

The New York State Police are asking anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Celesz to call Troop F at 845-344-5300 ( use reference case number 3021756).