The remains of a new father killed in the World Trade Center on 9/11 have finally been identified more than two decades later — thanks to innovative new DNA technology.
John Ballantine Niven, 44, of Oyster Bay, Long Island, was on the 105th floor of the South Tower when he was killed that fateful Tuesday – leaving behind his wife and 18-month-old son.
The new father is senior vice president of mergers and acquisitions at Aon Risk Services.
His remains have been positively identified using breakthrough DNA sequencing technology, along with mitochondrial DNA analysis and other procedures that have been refined since the 2001 terrorist attacks, New York City officials announced Thursday.
“It was certainly emotional for me, and I’m sure many others, to hear years later that DNA had been found,” Niven’s widow, Ellen, told the Associated Press.
“It’s a real tribute to the City of New York and the team that has worked behind the scenes over the years to honor the mantra of ‘Don’t Forget.’ My son and I really appreciate this amazing effort. “
Niven was the 1,650th identified victim of the deadliest act of terrorism on American soil, when hijackers crashed planes into the Twin Towers, killing 2,753 people.
The body of John Ballantine Niven, 44, was positively identified using new DNA technology. Legacy.com
Ellen says she’s thankful her family will have some of it to rest on.
“We have a grave where we bury boxes of keepsakes, and now we will be able to bury some of them, which means a lot to us,” he told Newsday.
Niven, Ellen and their son lived together in an Upper East Side apartment, but would flock to Long Island on weekends, according to an online obituary.
He is described as a loving father who goes everywhere with his son, also named John.
In his spare time, Niven enjoys reading philosophy and history books, and playing tennis with his childhood friends.
He attended Lake Forest College in Illinois and was a member of the Society of St. Nicholas New York.
After Niven’s heartbreaking death, his wife said she “would say that although his life was short, he was truly blessed in the years he had.”
Niven was working as an insurance executive at Aon Risk Services on the 105th floor of the South Tower when he was killed that fateful Tuesday — leaving behind his wife and 18-month-old son. Tamara Beckwith/New York Post
The younger John Niven also praised the search for his father’s remains.
“Since I, like most people, am too young to remember the events of 9/11, it means a lot to me to see how New Yorkers continue to live up to their ‘Don’t forget’ promise,” the son told Newsday.
“The medical examiner and police officers who continue to deliver this emotional news are doing an incredible job.”
The other 1,103 victims at Ground Zero have yet to be identified, but the Office of the Medical Examiner hopes this new technology will help drastically.
It allows specific fragments of DNA to be extracted from larger, often damaged samples for analysis.
It was recently used to link Gilgo Beach murder suspect Rex Heuermann to some hair found on the victim’s body.
His widow, Ellen, said she was grateful the family “will now be able to bury some of him.” AFP via Getty Images
“Our passionate commitment to finding answers for families using the latest advances in science is as strong today as it was in the days immediately following the World Trade Center attack,” Chief Medical Examiner Jason Graham said in a statement.
“This new recognition is testament to the unwavering commitment of our agency and the determination of our scientists.”
Mayor Eric Adams also said in a statement: “While the pain of the great loss of September 11 will never leave us, the possibility of a new identification may offer solace to the families of the victims.”
The Medical Examiner’s Office previously announced in September it had also identified the remains of a man and a woman, but their names were not released at the request of the family.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
