Massachusetts Teen Missing Since 1988 Identified From 1992 Remains

Skeletal remains found in 1992 in Newburyport, Massachusetts, have been identified as Anthony Angelli Rea, a teenager who went missing in 1988 from the Harbor School in Newbury. For over 30 years, investigators were unable to identify the remains due to limitations in DNA technology. Recently, with the help of Othram, a private forensic laboratory in Texas, advanced Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® was used to create a detailed DNA profile, which enabled genealogical searches to locate potential relatives and confirm Rea's identity. Funding for this DNA testing was provided by the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, supported by the National Institute of Justice. The Essex County District Attorney's Office and local police continue to seek any additional information from the public to aid in the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact the Massachusetts State Police Unresolved Case Unit.