A New York man was charged Wednesday in the murder of a World War I veteran who was killed while on his way to get a haircut in 1976.
Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz and NYPD Commissioner Dermot Shea said in a release that Martin Motta, 74, has been charged with murder in the second degree for killing 81-year-old George Clarence Seitz.
“After 45 years, the alleged killer of a WWI Veteran is being held accountable and brought to justice,” said Katz in a release. “We hope the identification of the remains and the indictment in this case will begin to bring peace and closure to his loved ones. This indictment serves as an example of how police and prosecutors work together to bring individuals alleged to have committed crimes to justice, regardless of how much time passes or how many obstacles are placed in our path.”
According to the charges, on March 12, 2019, human remains consisting of a pelvis and partial torso were discovered buried under concrete in the backyard of 87-72 115th Street, Richmond Hill, Queens. The body had been dismembered at the neck, shoulders, and hips.
A DNA profile was developed from the remains but a search of local, state, and national databases turned up nothing. Earlier this year, the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD sought the help of a private laboratory and the FBI to help generate leads to the unknown victim’s identity.
In February, Othram Laboratories used advanced DNA testing to produce a comprehensive genealogical profile from the skeletal remains. The genealogical profile was given to the FBI, which then generated leads that were turned over to the Queens District Attorney’s Office and the NYPD. Investigators began to contact potential family members of the victim and obtained DNA samples for comparison to the discovered remains.
Investigators were able to confirm that the remains found were those of Seitz, who went missing at approximately 10 a.m. on December 10, 1976. He was last seen leaving his home in Jamaica, reportedly on his way to get a haircut.
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Further investigation by the NYPD and the Queens DA’s office uncovered evidence that allegedly links Motta to the crime. The investigation included multiple interviews of witnesses and extensive searches of records through various agencies that spanned five states.
“The officers of the NYPD’s Detective Bureau, its Homicide and Cold Case squads, and its highly trained forensic units, never forget and never give up,” said Shea.
Motta, of Jamaica, New York, was charged with murder in the second degree. If convicted, he faces up to 25 years to life in prison.
Julia LeDoux can be reached at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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