Skeletal Remains From 1991 Identified As Man Missing Since 1976

On December 1, 2025 authorities announced that skeletal remains recovered from a drained swamp in the Town of Greenville in 1991 have been identified as those of Mikolai Celesz, who disappeared in 1976 at age 76. Investigators said the match was achieved through modern forensic DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy, which connected the remains to surviving family members and local missing person records.

The multiagency probe drew assistance from the Port Jervis Police Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the New York State Police Troop F and additional partners. Officials said details surrounding Celesz's disappearance remain under active investigation, and they asked anyone with information to contact the New York State Police Troop F with reference to the listed case number.

The identification illustrates the growing impact of genetic genealogy on local law enforcement workflows. For Orange County jurisdictions, the case highlights the potential of new laboratory methods to resolve cold cases that predate current record keeping and forensic capabilities. It also underscores operational demands on county and municipal agencies that must coordinate evidence handling, testing requests, and case follow up with state and federal partners.

The case raises policy issues for local elected officials and the public about how resources are allocated. County budgets and public safety platforms often figure prominently in local elections, and voters may consider the level of sustained funding for crime labs, cold case units and interagency cooperation when assessing candidates. At the same time forensic genetic genealogy prompts questions about oversight and privacy that merit policy attention at the county and state level.

For the Greenville community and Celesz family members, the identification is a significant step toward closure and a renewed chance to learn the circumstances of his disappearance. Residents who may have relevant information are urged to contact New York State Police Troop F and reference the case number provided by investigators. The probe remains ongoing as authorities continue to pursue leads and piece together the events that led to Celesz's disappearance nearly five decades ago.