A mystery that spanned nearly five decades has finally been solved. Authorities in Pennsylvania have identified the remains of a man found frozen in a cave in 1977. The man was Nicholas Paul Grubb, a 27-year-old from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania.
While one might expect modern technology to be the key to this identification, it was actually traditional investigative methods that led to the breakthrough. A Pennsylvania State Police detective, combing through old records, uncovered a crucial detail that finally cracked the case.
The story begins in January 1977, when hikers discovered the frozen body of a man in a cave near the Pinnacle in Albany Township. Despite their efforts, authorities were unable to identify him based on his appearance, clothing, or possessions. An autopsy revealed an overdose of drugs as the cause of death, with no signs of foul play. Dental records and fingerprints were collected, but the fingerprints were unfortunately lost.
The case went cold for over four decades, until 2019, when Grubb’s body was exhumed. Dental records linked him to missing person cases in Florida and Illinois. Forensic experts collected DNA samples and updated Grubb’s information in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). However, these samples didn’t match any of the missing persons cases.
The case took a significant turn in early August 2023. Pennsylvania State Police detective Ian Keck discovered an old fingerprint card from Grubb’s 1977 autopsy. On August 12, this card was sent to NamUs. Within an hour, an FBI expert matched the fingerprints to Grubb’s.
The Berks County Coroner’s Office contacted one of Grubb’s relatives, who requested that his remains be buried in the family plot. This long-awaited identification brings closure to the family and sheds light on a mystery that has haunted them for almost half a century. It highlights the enduring power of detective work and the determination of law enforcement to solve even the most challenging cold cases.
