Human remains found inside a home in Batavia, Illinois in 1978 have now been identified. The DNA/cold case company Othram revealed they belong to a young woman named Esther Granger, who died at 17 in Merrillville, Indiana after giving birth.
The skull and jawbone were discovered inside a wall by a couple remodeling their home. It took 46 years to solve the mystery. But how did a woman who died in Indiana wind up in a wall in a home near Chicago?
"We believe Esther was a victim of grave robbing," said Kane County Coroner Robert Russell. "Grave robbery was quite common in that era, as it was quite profitable."
Russell and fellow investigators believe her body was likely sold to a doctor or medical student who illegally paid for the cadaver to have it for research.
"At some point, they realized the ramifications of having said item and probably put it in the wall," said Russell.
Further DNA testing connected Esther to a great-great grandson living in Portland, Oregon. He traveled to Illinois for the burial of her remains.
"I do feel like the sense of closure and the respect we've shown Esther in this process has given me a lot of satisfaction," said Wayne Svilar.
In another twist to this story, Svilar is retired Portland detective who specialized in cold cases.