Bones Began Washing Up on New Jersey Beaches 30 Years Ago. How College Students Helped Solve the Mystery

A group of New Jersey assemblage students helped place skeletal remains that began washing ashore astatine a bid of section beaches 30 years ago.

Authorities announced connected Wednesday, May 21, that nan bones person been identified arsenic belonging to skipper Henry Goodsell, who died astatine 29 alongside each of his unit members astir 180 years ago.

“Identifying quality remains is 1 of nan astir intense and challenging responsibilities rule enforcement is charged with,” Chief of County Detectives Patrick Snyder astatine nan Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said successful a statement. “Behind each lawsuit is simply a promise: that nary 1 will beryllium forgotten, and that we will prosecute nan truth until families person nan answers they deserve.”

Of course, unraveling nan enigma took decades.

The remains initially known arsenic "Scattered Man John Doe" began appearing successful 1995. First, a skull washed ashore successful Longport, and past years later, much bones were recovered successful 1999 and 2013 successful Margate and Ocean City.

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In nan autumn of 2023, authorities constabulary began moving pinch nan Ramapo College's Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center. That November, officials sent a sample to Intermountain Forensics, a nonprofit statement that uploaded nan accusation to a assortment of different databases nan pursuing February. 

After that, Ramapo College students began diving successful to help, including by looking up historical shipwrecks astir nan New Jersey coast. 

As portion of their research, according to nan property release, they recovered 2 newspaper articles from December 1844 detailing a shipwreck of 19th period schooner Oriental, which sank disconnected nan seashore of Brigantine Shoal connected its measurement from Connecticut to Philadelphia.

A newspaper clipping suggested nan ship, which was trying present 60 tons of marble for Girard College. apt leaked and sank little than a mile from shore.

Armed pinch evidence, nan students sent Goodsell’s accusation to nan New Jersey State Police, who collected a family reference sample successful March 2025 from 1 of his great-great grandchildren.

Police confirmed his personality connected April 8, 2025. 

“Using modern genealogy testing to place bony fragments from nan 19th period is simply a powerful reminder of our unwavering committedness to resolving cases nary matter really old,” New Jersey State Police Superintendent Colonel Patrick J. Callahan said successful a statement.

He added, "The expertise to bring answers to families — moreover generations later — shows really acold subject and dedication tin return us.”