DNA Solves 1866 Cold Case of Skull Found in Illinois Wall

The skull of Esther Granger, an Indiana teenager who died during childbirth, was identified through advanced forensic genealogy.

The skull was discovered in 1978 during home renovations in Batavia, Illinois, but remained unidentified until recent DNA advancements.
Esther Granger, who died in 1866 at age 17 in Merrillville, Indiana, was identified using DNA from a living descendant.
Investigators suspect grave robbing may explain how Granger's skull ended up in Batavia, far from her original burial site.
The case was solved with the help of Othram Laboratories, a Texas-based forensic lab specializing in genetic genealogy.
Granger's remains were reburied in August 2024 at West Batavia Cemetery, bringing closure to a mystery over 150 years old.