New York City has announced the identification of three more victims from the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, made possible by significant advances in DNA testing technology.
The victims have been identified as Ryan D. Fitzgerald, a 26-year-old currency trader; Barbara A. Keating, a 72-year-old retired nonprofit executive; and a third woman whose name remains private at her family’s request.
Three more victims of the 9/11 WTC attacks have been identified: Ryan Fitzgerald, Barbara Keating & an unnamed woman. They are the 1651st, 1652nd & 1653rd IDs made through advanced DNA testing of remains recovered in 2001/2002. About 40% or 1,100 of the 2,753 victims remain… pic.twitter.com/SRcckNwYjf
— Steven Bognar (@Bogs4NY) August 7, 2025
Breakthrough in 9/11 Victim Identification
According to the Office of Chief Medical Examiner, the identifications were achieved through advanced DNA analysis performed on tiny fragments of remains recovered from the World Trade Center site more than two decades ago.
“This is a testament to the power of science and our continued commitment to families, even after all these years,” said Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jason Graham. “It’s our way of honoring the people we lost.”
Families Grateful for Ongoing Efforts
Barbara Keating’s son, Paul, expressed deep gratitude to the forensic teams, telling The New York Post that their dedication over the past 24 years has been remarkable.
“They’ve been sifting through every fragment, moving tons of debris from Manhattan to Staten Island, examining it down to the tiniest particle,” Paul said. “No one’s ever done something like that for me or my family before. I can’t thank them enough.”
Remembering the Tragedy
Nearly 3,000 people were killed when hijacked planes crashed into the Twin Towers, the Pentagon, and a field in Pennsylvania on September 11, 2001. In the years since, the medical examiner’s office has been working tirelessly to match remains to victims, with new identifications still happening as recently as last year.
Forensic Science Makes the Impossible Possible
Advancements in DNA analysis now allow scientists to re-test remains that were previously too damaged by fire, weather, and time to produce results.
New York Mayor Eric Adams said, “We hope these new identifications bring comfort to the families, knowing the city has never stopped working to provide answers.”
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