DNA testing has confirmed that a skull found in the wall of an Illinois house belonged to Esther Granger, an 18-year-old woman who died after childbirth in 1866. The skull was discovered during renovations in 1978 but remained a mystery until recently. Through DNA testing, authorities were able to connect with Granger’s great-great-grandson, Wayne Svilar, who provided a DNA sample for identification. The discovery sheds light on the likely appearance of Esther and her tragic story, including the possibility that her body was stolen by grave robbers. Despite the mystery of how the skull ended up in Illinois when Granger was buried in Indiana, authorities have speculated that grave robbing was common during that era. The case has provided closure for the family, with Svilar expressing gratitude for the opportunity to learn about his ancestor’s history. The discovery coincided with the resolution of a separate cold case murder investigation in a neighboring town, highlighting the significance of forensic techniques in solving long-standing mysteries.
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Teen’s skull found in wall identified through DNA testing, reveals death occurred 150 years ago.
