Three more victims of the 9/11 Twin Towers have been identified using advanced DNA technology.
The identification of three additional victims from the September 11, 2001, attacks has been confirmed by the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in New York City. Nearly 25 years after the tragic events that resulted in the deaths of nearly 3,000 individuals, advancements in DNA technology continue to provide closure to families affected by this national tragedy.
The newly identified victims are Ryan Fitzgerald from Floral Park, New York, Barbara Keating from Palm Springs, California, and an unnamed woman, whose identity has been withheld at the request of her family. The identifications were made possible through DNA testing of remains that were recovered in the aftermath of the attacks. Fitzgerald’s remains were recovered in 2002, while those of Keating and the unnamed victim were initially collected in 2001.
This latest announcement marks the first new identifications of World Trade Center victims since 2024. With these recent updates, the total number of identified victims has reached 1,653, according to officials. However, approximately 1,100 victims, representing around 40% of those who perished, remain unidentified. The overall death toll attributed to the attacks at the World Trade Center stands at 2,753.
Mayor Eric Adams underscored the continuous impact of the September 11 attacks on affected families, stating that the pain of losing a loved one resonates deeply over the decades. He emphasized the significance of these new identifications in offering some measure of comfort to grieving families who have endured the absence of their loved ones for so long.
Dr. Jason Graham, the Chief Medical Examiner, reaffirmed the commitment to identifying the missing remains. He indicated that each new identification showcases the capabilities of scientific advancements and the ongoing efforts to reach out to families, ensuring that the memory of those lost is honored.
As the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks approaches, this development serves as a poignant reminder of both the enduring trauma of that day and the continued efforts to bring closure to families still searching for answers. The identification of these three victims not only highlights the importance of forensic science but also the relentless support for those who continue to bear the burden of grief.
Moving forward, officials remain focused on the commitment to identify every victim and provide the solace that families have been seeking in the years following one of the darkest moments in American history.
