The decades-long mystery of an elderly veteran man who disappeared after a trip to his barbershop in 1976 has been solved.
New York City man Martin Motta, 75, has pleaded guilty to the murder of a WWI veteran after officials used DNA technology to identify a dismembered body found in a backyard.
DNA genealogy linked Motta to the disappearance of George Clarence Seitz, whose fate remained a mystery until cops received a haunting tip in 2019.
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The tipster brought investigators to a Queens property where they unearthed dismembered body parts.
In order to identify the unknown victim, the Queens district attorney’s office employed the help of scientists to crack the cold case.
“We used genetic genealogy,” said Queens DA Melinda Katz, according to NBC4.
“Forensic genealogy in order to be able to track down the family members and in order to ask them: Was there a missing person at the time? Do you know someone about 45 years ago that might have gone missing?”
Investigators collected DNA evidence from the body and managed to ID the victim as missing veteran George Seitz.
“Lo and behold it was a World War One veteran who had fought for this country,” said Katz.
“He had gone to France and fought for this country and at the age of 81 years old had been reported missing.”
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Scientists then created an age progression sketch by referencing an old photograph of Seitz.
“We had to age the photo to 81 years old, and because of the science today we were able to do that and get a witness,” said the DA.
The witness pointed investigators to Motta – a barber who was believed to be behind the chilling disappearance.
Investigators believe that Seitz went into Motta’s barbershop for a haircut before he was robbed, killed, dismembered, and buried in the Queens backyard.
Motta targeted Seitz because he carried around a large amount of cash, police believe.
The barber pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Monday.
Officials celebrated that justice was served despite the case lasting over 40 years.
“To get that closure of knowing someone stands for justice, and that someone is going to be held accountable, is extremely important,” the DA said.
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