Nearly fifty years after a man was found frozen in a cave along the Appalachian Trail, Pennsylvania officials have identified him as Nicolas Paul Grubb, a 27-year-old from Fort Washington who served in the Pennsylvania Army National Guard. His body was found near the Pinnacle, a peak known for its sweeping vistas, and was initially labeled a drug-overdose suicide. Despite efforts over the years to identify him, it wasn’t until recently that a breakthrough occurred.
In 2019, officials exhumed Grubb’s body for DNA samples, which proved inconclusive. Genealogical testing also yielded no results. However, a trooper with the Pennsylvania State Police discovered the original fingerprints taken at the time of Grubb’s discovery, which led to a quick identification through the FBI. One family member confirmed his identity, providing officials with more information.
The case remains open as investigators seek to uncover more about Grubb’s life and what led to his death in the remote cave. There is no evidence of foul play, but questions remain about why he was in the cave and under what circumstances he died. Despite the challenges in solving this cold case, the identification of Grubb highlights the importance of providing closure and giving the unidentified a name and a story. Authorities attribute the breakthrough in the case to “good, old fashioned police work” rather than cutting-edge forensic technology.
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