People.com
The Guardian
AP News
Here’s the latest on the tenacious efforts to identify victims of the September 11, 2001 attacks:
Summary of Recent Identifications
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Three more victims have been identified nearly 24 years after the attacks, bringing the total of identified victims to 1,653 out of approximately 2,753 who perished in the World Trade Center attacks People.comThe GuardianAP NewsWikipedia.
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Identified individuals include:
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Ryan Fitzgerald, a 26-year-old currency trader from Floral Park, NY, whose remains recovered in 2002 were finally matched through advanced DNA testing People.comAP NewsConnecticut PublicWikipedia.
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Barbara Keating, a 72-year-old retired nonprofit executive from Palm Springs, CA, who died aboard American Airlines Flight 11, with DNA confirmation from remains recovered in 2001 People.comThe GuardianConnecticut PublicWikipedia.
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A third adult woman, whose identity is being withheld at her family’s request People.comThe GuardianAP NewsConnecticut PublicWikipedia.
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Context & Ongoing Effort
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The identifications were achieved through advanced DNA extraction and testing methods, combined with persistent outreach to family members The GuardianAP NewsABCWikipedia.
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As of now, about 1,100 victims—representing roughly 40% of the total—remain unidentified People.comThe GuardianNew York PostWikipedia+1.
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New York City officials, including Mayor Eric Adams and Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham, have reaffirmed their commitment to this mission:
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“Nearly 25 years after the disaster … our commitment to identify the missing … stands as strong as ever.” — Dr. Graham People.comCBS NewsWikipedia.
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“The pain of losing a loved one … echoes across the decades, but with these three new identifications, we take a step forward in comforting the family members still aching from that day.” — Mayor Adams People.comCBS NewsConnecticut Public.
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Reflections from Families
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Barbara Keating’s son, Paul Keating, described the DNA breakthrough as “just an amazing feat, gesture,” reflecting both relief and the emotional weight of nearly a quarter-century without answers ABCConnecticut PublicThe GuardianAP News.
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He also noted poignant details: a piece of his mother’s ATM card and, even years later, part of her hairbrush were found in the wreckage—tools that, combined with advanced technology, helped reunite her remains with her identity Connecticut Public1NewsWikipedia.
Why This Matters
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This latest milestone underscores the long-term value of forensic innovation and the promise of DNA science—even decades after tragedy.
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It represents not just scientific progress, but a deeply human endeavor: bringing closure to grieving families, honoring the memories of those lost, and reaffirming a societal commitment to never forget.
If you’d like to explore more—perhaps the history of prior identifications, how the medical examiner’s office operates, or why identification efforts continue so many years later—I’d be glad to dive deeper.
