Skull found in wall of Illinois home belonged to teen who died over 150 years ago: investigators

Investigators person wished that a skull discovered successful nan wall of an Illinois location successful 1978 was that of an Indiana teen who died much than 150 years ago, authorities announced Thursday.

According to a timeline provided by nan Kane County Coroner’s Office, nan spot proprietor recovered nan skull while renovating nan location successful Batavia.

Police launched an investigation but nan lawsuit went acold and nan skull was relegated to nan Batavia Depot Museum for storage.

Investigators person wished that a skull discovered successful nan wall of an Illinois location successful 1978 was that of an Indiana teen who died much than 150 years ago, authorities announced Thursday. AP

The skull went forgotten until March of 2021, erstwhile depository supervisors discovered it during an inventory audit.

They called police, who sent nan skull to nan coroner’s office.

Working pinch Othram Laboratories, a forensic laboratory successful Texas that assists rule enforcement, nan agency was able to build a DNA profile from nan skull that suggested it was that of Esther Granger, a 17-year-old female who died during childbirth successful Merrillville, Indiana, successful 1866.

The investigators matched nan DNA floor plan to Granger’s great-great grandson, Wayne Silvar, allowing them to corroborate her identity.

Working pinch a forensic laboratory successful Texas, Kane County Coroner’s Office was capable to suggested nan skull was Esther Granger, a 17-year-old female who died during childbirth successful 1866 successful Merrillville, Indiana. AP

Officials interred nan skull astatine West Batavia Cemetery this past August astatine nan city’s expense.

It’s unclear really Granger’s skull ended up successful Batavia. Burial records bespeak she was interred successful Lake County, Indiana.

Kane County Coroner Rob Russell speculated successful a news merchandise that sedate robbers whitethorn person dug up her assemblage to waste it to physicians looking to study much astir quality anatomy.