Nearly 24 years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, three more victims have been identified through a groundbreaking DNA analysis, marking the first identifications in the case for 2025.
New York City’s Office of Chief Medical Examiner (OCME) confirmed that the remains were matched using advanced forensic technology not available in the immediate aftermath of the attacks. The breakthrough offers a measure of closure to the families of these three individuals, whose names have not yet been publicly released out of respect for the next of kin.
The identification was made possible through enhanced DNA testing methods that can extract and analyze genetic material from highly degraded remains. Many of the unidentified victims’ remains recovered from the World Trade Center site were exposed to intense heat, pressure, and environmental damage, making traditional identification methods nearly impossible in the early years.
“These identifications are a solemn reminder of the ongoing commitment we have to the families of those lost on 9/11,” said a spokesperson for the OCME. “No matter how many years pass, we will not stop working to return their loved ones to them.”
Since the attacks, which claimed 2,977 lives in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, the OCME has identified 1,654 victims through DNA and other forensic techniques. However, more than 1,100 victims remain unidentified, leaving thousands of relatives without definitive answers about their loved ones’ remains.
For families who have waited more than two decades, each identification represents both heartbreak and a measure of relief. “It’s been nearly 24 years, but the pain never goes away,” said one family member of a newly identified victim, speaking through a statement. “Now we finally know, and we can bring them home.”
The announcement comes ahead of the annual September 11 commemoration, when the nation pauses to honor the victims, the survivors, and the heroism of first responders. For many, these moments of closure also serve as reminders of the resilience of the human spirit and the enduring impact of that day on American life.
Officials stress that the identification effort will continue indefinitely, fueled by advances in science and the unyielding promise to ensure that every victim’s name is known and remembered.