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by Carolyn Berardino The Crime In 1972, Boardman, Ohio was a growing, still somewhat rural community where kids were free to roam and explore, independent of the careful watch of their parents that kids know today.  A suburb of Youngstown, … Continue reading “An Exclusive Porchlight Project Investigation: The Unsolved Murder of Brad Bellino” →

Sandusky, Ohio –On March 30th, 1980, the partially decomposed body of a young woman was discovered on the beach near Cedar Point Road in Sandusky, Ohio. She was determined to be Caucasian, between the ages of 20-30, and estimated to … Continue reading “The Porchlight Project Will Fund Testing and Genetic Genealogy to Identify Erie County Jane Doe.” →

By Val Bogart Dissection of a human corpse, outside of an official autopsy, was looked upon as a disgrace in the 19th century. Every person was afforded the right to a decent burial, and the right to remain interred once … Continue reading “Was Hallie Armstrong the victim of Ohio grave robbers?” →

Cutting-Edge Genomics to be Used in 1969 Unsolved Homicide Body found in barrel may be connected to Black Panther Party   Cleveland, Ohio – March 15, 2021 – The Porchlight Project, a local nonprofit, will assist the Cuyahoga County Medical … Continue reading “The Porchlight Project Will Fund DNA Testing for 1969 Cleveland Cold Case” →

New London, OH – In the fall of 2016, 72 human bones were discovered under weathered newspaper inside a garage at 118 E. Main Street, New London. The property was the former residence of New London mayor Dar Anderson but … Continue reading “72 Bones Found in New London Barn Connect to Schoolteacher Who Died in 1881 – May Be Oldest Genetic Genealogy Case to Date.” →

The Porchlight Project’s first case was also the first case where genetic genealogists were successfully able to separate two DNA profiles from a single mixed sample. Read the full article from Forensic Magazine here.

Press Release for Blatnik Unsolved Solved Homicide May 9, 2020 | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE James Zastawnik Has Been Arrested for the 1987 Barbara Blatnik Homicide Cuyahoga Falls, OH – The Cuyahoga Falls Police Department has announced the arrest of James … Continue reading “WE DID IT! An Arrest in the Barbara Blatnik Case!” →

New DNA Tests Ordered for Mysterious Bones Found in New London – Lab will test for DNA. Genetic genealogists will use data in attempt to identify remains. New London, OH – The New London Police Department and The Porchlight Project … Continue reading “The Porchlight Project Will Assist New London Police in Mysterious Bones Case” →