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5 Shocking Truths About Joseph Augustus Zarelli, The 'Boy In The Box' Identified After 65 Years

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The decades-long mystery of "America's Unknown Child," a cold case that haunted Philadelphia for 65 years, was finally cracked in late 2022. The identity of the little boy, whose battered body was found in a cardboard box, was revealed to be Joseph Augustus Zarelli. This monumental breakthrough, achieved through the cutting-edge science of forensic genetic genealogy, gave the victim a name, a voice, and a complete biography for the first time since his tragic death in February 1957. As of December 22, 2025, the focus has shifted entirely from *who* he was to *who* took his life, with the homicide investigation remaining open and active. The story of Joseph Augustus Zarelli is a heartbreaking narrative of a life cut short, a forgotten child, and a scientific marvel that brought him home. Despite the profound relief of his identification, the central question—the identity of his killer—is still unanswered, driving a renewed, intense effort by the Philadelphia Police Department to bring closure to this historic case.

Joseph Augustus Zarelli: A Complete Biography and Profile

For 65 years, the victim was simply known as "The Boy in the Box" or "America's Unknown Child." The December 2022 announcement finally restored his full identity, providing crucial details about his short life before his body was discovered in the Fox Chase neighborhood of Philadelphia.
  • Full Name: Joseph Augustus Zarelli
  • Date of Birth: January 13, 1953
  • Date of Discovery: February 25, 1957
  • Age at Death: 4 years old (approximately)
  • Place of Birth: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
  • Known Residence: West Philadelphia, near 61st and Market streets
  • Parents: Augustus John Zarelli (Father) and Mary Elizabeth Plunkett (Mother)
  • Cause of Death: Homicide by blunt force trauma
  • Circumstances of Discovery: Found nude, severely beaten, and malnourished inside a J.C. Penney cardboard bassinet box off Susquehanna Road in the Fox Chase area.
  • Homicide Status: Open and Unsolved (as of late 2025)
The release of his parents' names, Augustus John Zarelli and Mary Elizabeth Plunkett, confirmed that both were deceased at the time of the identification. Police also confirmed that Joseph had numerous siblings on both his maternal and paternal sides, many of whom were unaware of his existence until the DNA breakthrough.

The Genetic Genealogy Breakthrough: How a 65-Year-Old Case Was Solved

The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli stands as a monumental achievement in modern forensic science, showcasing the power of Investigative Genetic Genealogy (IGG). This was not a quick process; it required decades of tireless work and the eventual application of technology that didn't exist when Joseph died.

The Decades of Failed Efforts

For over half a century, traditional investigative methods failed to identify the boy. His fingerprints were taken, his body was exhumed twice, and countless leads were followed, but the case remained stubbornly cold. The discovery of the body—nude, wrapped in a blanket, and placed inside a box—in a wooded area off Susquehanna Road was a baffling scene for investigators in 1957. The boy had distinct scars, notably from what appeared to be an IV line, suggesting a history of medical care, yet no missing person reports matched his description.

The DNA and Genealogy Connection

The true breakthrough came from the application of forensic genetic genealogy. In 2019, the Philadelphia Police Department successfully obtained a viable DNA sample from the boy's remains. This sample was then uploaded to a public DNA database, specifically GEDmatch, which allows law enforcement to search for familial matches. This process involves building a massive family tree backward and forward from distant relatives whose DNA is in the database. The investigators, working with forensic genealogists, painstakingly traced the family lines of third and fourth cousins until they narrowed the search down to a single family unit in West Philadelphia. This meticulous work eventually led them to the names of Joseph's mother, Mary Elizabeth Plunkett, and father, Augustus John Zarelli, and finally, to Joseph Augustus Zarelli himself. The confirmation required a court order to obtain birth records and further DNA testing to confirm the familial relationship.

The Unanswered Homicide: The Active Hunt for the Killer

The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli was the end of one mystery but the beginning of another, far more critical one: the search for his killer. As of late 2025, the case remains an open, active homicide investigation. The police have explicitly stated that while the parents have been identified, they have not publicly named a suspect.

The Clues from the Crime Scene

The condition of Joseph's body provided gruesome clues about his final moments. He had multiple severe bruises, suggesting extreme blunt force trauma, which was determined to be the cause of death. He was also malnourished. Compounding the tragedy, the boy appeared to have been recently cleaned and groomed, with a fresh haircut and nail trim, suggesting he was cared for immediately before or after his death, or that his body was prepared before being abandoned. The identification has allowed investigators to shift their focus to the Zarelli family's social circle, associates, and the specific circumstances of their lives in the 1950s. The hope is that by tracing the movements of his deceased parents and interviewing surviving relatives, police can identify the person or persons responsible for the murder and the subsequent abandonment of his body.

The Call for Public Assistance

The Philadelphia Police Department has made a direct appeal to the public, hoping that the powerful combination of Joseph's name and the passage of time will loosen tongues. People who were children or young adults in the 1950s may now feel compelled to share information they withheld for decades. To encourage leads, a substantial reward of $20,000 has been offered for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Joseph Augustus Zarelli’s death. The case of Joseph Augustus Zarelli serves as a poignant reminder of the relentless pursuit of justice in cold cases. His identification, a triumph of technology and dedication, has finally given "The Boy in the Box" the dignity of his name, but the long, difficult road to finding his killer continues.
joseph augustus zarelli
joseph augustus zarelli

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