Remains found buried near interstate in 1992 ID’d as missing teen, MA officials say
Skeletal remains found partially buried along a Massachusetts interstate in 1992 have been identified as those of a missing teenager, prosecutors say.
With help from DNA testing, the remains were identified as Anthony Angelli Rea, who was reported missing in 1988, the Essex District Attorney’s Office said in a July 24 news release.
Remains found along interstate
“On November 28, 1992, skeletal remains were found partially buried in the marsh grass on Route 95 South in Newburyport,” prosecutors said.
Through an autopsy, officials determined the remains belonged to a teenage boy but could not determine a cause of death, prosecutors said.
Investigators investigated the case over the past three decades, even making “significant leads,” prosecutors said.
However, with limited DNA technology, a positive identification was not possible, prosecutors said.
Forensic genetic genealogy leads to ID
Then, in May 2024, prosecutors set their sights on forensic genetic genealogy in hopes of identifying the remains, partnering with Othram Inc., the company said in a news release.
Genetic genealogy uses DNA testing coupled with “traditional genealogical methods” to create “family history profiles,” according to the Library of Congress. With genealogical DNA testing, researchers can determine if and how people are biologically related.
Investigators sent a DNA sample from the remains to Othram, where the company said its scientists created a “comprehensive DNA profile.”
Othram said its forensic genetic genealogy team used the profile to create new leads for investigators, which led them to the boy’s potential relatives.
Investigators collected DNA from a possible relative, which was compared to that of the unknown teenager, and confirmed the remains belonged to Rea, Othram said.
Rea, born in 1973, spent “part of his childhood in Malden with his mother,” prosecutors said, adding that “he was reported missing from the Harbor School in Newbury in August 1988.”
Prosecutors ask that anyone with information about Rea contact state police at 855-MA-SOLVE.
Newburyport is about a 40-mile drive northeast from Boston.
This story was originally published July 29, 2025 at 12:58 PM with the headline "Remains found buried near interstate in 1992 ID’d as missing teen, MA officials say."
