The Unending Hunt: 5 Shocking New Details In The Joseph Augustus Zarelli ('Boy In The Box') Cold Case

The case of "America's Unknown Child," known for decades as "The Boy in the Box," remains one of the most haunting and enduring murder mysteries in American history. Found in a cardboard box in Philadelphia's Fox Chase neighborhood in 1957, the boy’s identity was a 65-year puzzle that captivated and tormented investigators and true crime enthusiasts alike. The major breakthrough came in December 2022, when police used forensic genetic genealogy to finally name the victim: Joseph Augustus Zarelli. As of late 2024 and heading into 2025, the Philadelphia Police Department's homicide investigation is now focused on finding the killer, using the newly uncovered details of Joseph's short, tragic life and his family's history. The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli has transformed the case from a search for a name to an active, focused hunt for a murderer. While his parents are deceased, the investigation is centered on the living family members and associates who may hold the key to the abuse and blunt force trauma that ended the four-year-old boy's life. The story is no longer about who he was, but who killed him, making the current phase the most critical in the case's long, dark timeline.

Joseph Augustus Zarelli: A Biography of America's Unknown Child

The official identification of the victim in December 2022 provided the first concrete details about the boy who had been known for generations only by the tragic nickname, "The Boy in the Box."

• Full Name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli.
• Date of Birth: January 13, 1953.
• Date Found Deceased: February 25, 1957.
• Location Found: Susquehanna Road, Fox Chase, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• Biological Father: Augustus John Zarelli (deceased).
• Biological Mother: Mary Elizabeth Plunkett (also known as Mary Elizabeth Abel, deceased).
• Siblings: Joseph has living siblings on both his maternal and paternal sides, a key factor in the ongoing investigation.
• Cause of Death: Ruled as homicide by blunt force trauma.
• Condition of Body: Found nude, severely malnourished, and covered in bruises and scars, including four surgical scars and one believed to be from an IV line.
• Burial: Originally buried as "America's Unknown Child," he was re-interred and given a new headstone with his name at Ivy Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia.

The Groundbreaking Forensic Technology That Solved the 65-Year Mystery

The decades-long cold case was finally cracked not by a confession or a lucky break, but by the relentless advancement of DNA analysis and forensic science. The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli is a powerful testament to the potential of genetic genealogy in solving historical cold cases. The journey to his identity began long ago. In 1998, the boy's body was exhumed for the first time to collect DNA samples, but the technology of the era was insufficient to build a profile that could lead to an identification. The crucial turning point came when investigators, with the help of private labs and the Vidocq Society, were able to extract a usable sample of mitochondrial DNA. This DNA was then used to construct a comprehensive profile for submission to public genetic genealogy databases. This process, known as forensic genetic genealogy, involves:

1. DNA Extraction: A small DNA sample is taken, often from a tooth or bone.
2. Sequencing: The DNA is sequenced to create a digital file.
3. Genealogical Search: The file is uploaded to public databases (with the necessary legal and privacy protocols), searching for distant relatives who have voluntarily submitted their own DNA.
4. Family Tree Construction: Genealogists use the matches to build a complex family tree, working backward and forward through generations of birth, marriage, and death records.

This painstaking genealogical detective work ultimately led them to Joseph's family tree in Delaware and then to his parents. The identification was confirmed through a court order to obtain DNA from living relatives, proving the biological link. This breakthrough not only gave Joseph his name back but also provided the homicide investigation with a complete list of close family members and associates who were alive during the time of his death.

The Active Homicide Investigation: New Focus in 2024/2025

With the identity confirmed, the investigation has shifted from a search for a name to a focused homicide inquiry into the circumstances of his death. The Philadelphia Police Department has publicly stated that the case remains an active and open homicide investigation, with the goal of identifying the person or persons responsible for the child abuse and fatal blunt force trauma.

1. The Focus on Living Family Members

The most significant change in the investigation is the shift in focus to Joseph's immediate family. Since both his biological mother (Mary Elizabeth Plunkett) and father (Augustus John Zarelli) are deceased, the police are now scrutinizing other living relatives and associates. This includes Joseph's siblings and other close family members on both sides of his family tree. Investigators are re-interviewing these individuals and looking for any historical information, documents, or testimony that might shed light on Joseph's life, the abuse he endured, and who was responsible for his death.

2. The 'IV Line' Scar and Malnutrition

The physical evidence on Joseph's body, which was meticulously documented in 1957, is now being re-examined in the context of his family history. The severe malnutrition and multiple scars, including one believed to be from an IV line or a medical procedure, suggest a history of neglect, illness, or severe abuse. The current investigation is likely attempting to connect these specific injuries and the malnourishment to a particular location, caregiver, or medical professional known to the Zarelli family in the 1950s.

3. The 'Secret' Family Life

Police have revealed that Joseph's birth was never officially registered. This fact suggests that his existence was kept secret, possibly due to the circumstances of his birth or a deliberate attempt by his parents to hide him. The current investigation is exploring this "secret life" aspect, as it may explain why Joseph was never reported missing and why the family never came forward after the body was found. The lack of a birth certificate is a critical piece of the puzzle, pointing toward a deliberate cover-up of his existence.

4. The Avalanche of New Tips

Following the public announcement of Joseph's name, the Philadelphia Police received an "avalanche" of new tips and information. Unlike the tips received in the 1950s, which were based on sketches and general theories, the new tips are based on a known name, family history, and specific locations, making them much more actionable. The investigation team is currently in the painstaking process of vetting and following up on every credible lead related to the Zarelli family and their associates.

5. The Remains Identification Project Connection

In a related development, the Philadelphia Police Department is also involved in the Remains Identification Project, attempting to exhume and identify eight other human remains buried near Joseph at Ivy Hill Cemetery. While not directly about Joseph's killer, this project highlights the ongoing commitment to using advanced forensic technology to solve historical unidentified person cases in the region, a commitment that was spurred by the success in the Zarelli case. The hope is that by identifying others, new connections or patterns of criminal activity may emerge that could indirectly aid the Zarelli investigation. The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli was a profound victory for forensic science and the tireless cold case detectives who worked the case for decades. However, the true justice for America's Unknown Child will only be achieved when the person responsible for the brutal end of his life is finally identified and held accountable. The investigation continues, driven by the hope that the truth, buried for 65 years, is finally within reach.