Joseph Augustus Zarelli is a name that, for many years, remained shrouded in mystery and sorrow within the annals of true crime history. Known for decades simply as "the Boy in the Box," his story is one of Philadelphia's most heart-wrenching and enduring mysteries. This tragic tale, which dates back to the mid-20th century, not only reflects a dark chapter in criminal history but also highlights the evolution of forensic science and the relentless pursuit of truth by law enforcement and a committed community of amateur sleuths.
The Discovery
The chilling discovery of the young boy's body in February 1957 marked the beginning of a mystery that would captivate and haunt the Philadelphia area for decades. The discovery was made in a desolate part of the Fox Chase neighborhood, an area known for its sparse residential development and isolated fields. The boy's body was found in a cardboard J.C. Penney bassinet box, discarded off the side of Susquehanna Road.
The condition in which the body was found added to the mystery and horror of the situation. The boy, who appeared to be between four and six years old, was unclothed and had been crudely wrapped in a plaid blanket. The blanket, which did not match any manufactured in local stores, suggested that the perpetrator might have had some connection to the area or to specific communities where such a blanket was used or produced.
The discovery was initially made by a young man who was checking his muskrat traps. Fearing that reporting the body would lead the police to confiscate his traps, he did not report the finding immediately. It was only a few days later, when a college student spotted the box while driving down the road, that the police were notified. This delay inadvertently led to the loss of crucial hours in the investigation, potentially allowing the perpetrator(s) to cover their tracks.
Upon receiving the report, the Philadelphia police rushed to the scene. They noted the boy's malnourished state, the bruises covering his body, and the signs of recent bathing, suggesting that he had been cleaned before being placed in the box. This detail painted a haunting picture of the last moments of the boy's life and raised questions about the circumstances leading to his death.
The police immediately launched a comprehensive investigation, combing the area for clues, taking photographs of the site, and collecting any potential evidence. The box itself became a key piece of evidence. Investigators traced it back to a J.C. Penney store and discovered that it was used to ship a bassinet. However, the trail quickly went cold as they learned that most of the bassinets sold from that batch were purchased with cash, leaving no transaction records.
Despite the efforts of the police, the case quickly turned into a perplexing mystery. The lack of witnesses, the absence of any missing child reports matching the boy’s description, and the failure to trace the origins of the blanket or the box left the police with few leads. The boy's identity and the story of his death remained shrouded in mystery, propelling this case into the annals of unsolved true crime stories.
The Investigation
The investigation into the boy's death was a massive and concerted effort by the Philadelphia Police Department, marked by both determination and frustration. From the outset, detectives faced numerous challenges. The lack of any identifying marks on the boy's body, the absence of clothing or personal items that could provide clues, and the remote location where he was found all compounded the difficulty of the case.
The police undertook an extensive canvassing operation. They distributed flyers featuring a post-mortem photograph of the boy, a controversial yet desperate attempt to identify him. These flyers were posted across Philadelphia and even sent to police departments across the United States. This was an unprecedented move at the time and highlighted the urgency and seriousness with which the police approached the case.
One innovative aspect of the investigation was the decision to dress the boy’s body in clothing and sit him up for a photograph, hoping that this more 'lifelike' image would elicit recognition from the public. This image, along with the post-mortem photograph, was widely circulated, yet it did not lead to the anticipated breakthrough.
Forensic efforts were also exhaustive. The boy's fingerprints were taken and compared with national databases, but no match was found. The medical examiner conducted a thorough autopsy, determining that the boy had died from blunt force trauma. However, the exact time of death was hard to ascertain, further complicating the investigation.
Early Theories and Leads
In the initial aftermath of the discovery, several theories and leads emerged, each presenting its own intriguing possibilities yet ultimately leading to dead ends. One of the earliest and most pursued theories was that the boy belonged to a nearby foster home. This theory gained traction when a psychic led a private investigator to the foster home, located approximately 1.5 miles from the site where the body was discovered. Law enforcement conducted a thorough investigation of this lead, interrogating the foster parents and examining the living conditions and backgrounds of the children in their care. However, despite the circumstantial connections and public suspicion, no concrete evidence was found linking the foster home to the boy.
Another compelling theory suggested that the boy was a victim of family violence. This theory was supported by the boy's malnourished state, indicating long-term neglect, and the multiple bruises on his body, suggesting abuse. Investigators speculated that a family member could have disposed of the body, fearing criminal charges for the abuse and death. They combed through missing child reports, cross-referenced them with school and medical records, and even extended their search beyond the local area. Nonetheless, this lead also reached a dead end, as no family was ever connected to the boy.
A less explored but equally haunting theory posited that the boy may have been an unreported orphan or a child from a transient family, which could explain the lack of missing child reports and identification. This theory was difficult to pursue due to the lack of records and the transient nature of the population in question.
Each of these theories, while offering potential explanations, also highlighted the limitations of investigative techniques and record-keeping of the era. The absence of digital databases, limited communication between different jurisdictions, and a lack of public awareness about reporting missing children all contributed to the impasse in the investigation. Despite the exhaustive efforts of law enforcement, the boy's identity remained a mystery, encapsulating him in a tragic narrative that would haunt the Philadelphia area for decades to come.
Advancements in Forensic Science
As the investigation into the Boy in the Box case progressed into the latter part of the 20th century and beyond, significant advancements in forensic science began to offer new hope for solving this decades-old mystery. These advancements were not just technical improvements but also represented a paradigm shift in how cold cases could be approached and potentially solved.
After the boy's DNA was extracted following the exhumation of his body in 1998, it was entered into various national and international databases. However, it was the advent of more sophisticated DNA analysis and genealogical techniques that ultimately led to his identification. Forensic genealogists were able to construct a family tree by matching the boy's DNA with distant relatives who had submitted their genetic information to public databases. This painstaking process involved tracing back multiple generations to find common ancestors and then moving forward in time to identify potential immediate family members.
The identification of Joseph Augustus Zarelli was a watershed moment in the case. Finally, after more than six decades, the Boy in the Box had a name. This revelation brought a profound sense of closure to a community that had long sought answers and provided new avenues for investigators to explore in solving the mystery of his death.
With the identification, detectives were able to delve into Joseph's family history. They conducted interviews with surviving relatives and others who might have had knowledge of the family during the relevant time period. These interviews aimed to piece together Joseph’s life story, understand the family dynamics, and gather clues about possible motives or circumstances leading to his death.
The Impact of Joseph Augustus Zarelli's Story
The story of Joseph Augustus Zarelli transcends the mere facts of the case. It touches upon the broader themes of societal responsibility, the evolution of crime-solving technology, and the enduring human desire for truth and justice. His story is a poignant reminder of the countless unidentified and unclaimed children who fall through the cracks of society, and it underscores the importance of relentless investigation, no matter how much time has passed.
Today, the mystery of Joseph Augustus Zarelli, once known only as the Boy in the Box, remains unsolved but not forgotten. His story is a testament to the persistence of law enforcement, the community, and the ever-advancing field of forensic science. It serves as a poignant reminder of our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable and seek justice for those who cannot do it for themselves. The boy who was once nameless now has an identity, and with it, a renewed hope that one day, the truth of his tragic story will be fully uncovered.