In 1978, a skull was found in the wall of a home in Illinois. It was later identified as belonging to Esther Granger, a 19th-century teenager from Indiana who died over 150 years ago. The discovery was made by the property owner during renovations in Batavia. Despite an initial investigation, the case went cold, and the skull was stored at the Batavia Depot Museum.
Fast forward to March 2021, museum supervisors rediscovered the skull during an inventory audit and contacted the police. The skull was then sent to the Kane County Coroner’s Office, where they worked with Othram Laboratories in Texas to build a DNA profile. The DNA profile matched that of Esther Granger, who tragically passed away during childbirth in Merrillville, Indiana, in 1866.
Coroner Rob Russell, along with an artist’s rendering of Esther Granger, revealed the findings during a press conference in St. Charles, Illinois. The DNA profile was further confirmed by Granger’s great-great grandson, Wayne Silvar, which solidified her identity. In August, officials laid Esther Granger’s skull to rest at West Batavia Cemetery, with the city covering the expenses.
The mystery remains as to how Granger’s skull made its way to Batavia, given that burial records indicate she was originally laid to rest in Lake County, Indiana. Coroner Rob Russell suggested that grave robbers may have disturbed her final resting place, potentially selling her remains to medical professionals seeking to study human anatomy.
This intriguing case sheds light on the importance of preserving and respecting the deceased, even centuries after their passing. It also highlights the advancements in forensic technology that allow us to unravel historical mysteries and provide closure to families. The story of Esther Granger serves as a reminder of the enduring legacy that each individual leaves behind, no matter how long ago they lived.
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