More than 22 years after 9/11, another victim of the terrorist attack was identified

The remains of a man long island was killed in World Trade Center that 11 September has been identified more than two decades after the 2001 attack, the New York City Medical Examiner’s Office announced Thursday.

John Ballantyne Niven The 44-year-old was an executive at Aon Risk Services, an insurance company on the 105th floor of two towers in the mall complex, according to obituaries at the time. He and his young family split their time between Manhattan and Oyster Bay, where he grew up.

Ellen NivenHis wife said Thursday that she and their son Jack, who was just 18 months old when his father died, are grateful for the “extraordinary efforts” of city officials who continue the difficult task of identifying the victims’ remains.

“It’s certainly emotional for me, and I’m sure for many others, after so many years of DNA being found,” she wrote in an email. “It’s a true tribute to the city of New York and the teams that have worked behind the scenes for so many years to honor that ‘never forget’ mantra.” My son and I are very grateful for this tremendous effort“

Niven is the 1,650th victim identified The deadliest act of terrorism on American soil, when hijackers crashed planes into the Twin Towers, killing 2,753 people.

“While the pain of the enormous loss of 9/11 will never leave us, the possibility of a new identity can bring comfort to the families of the victims,” ​​said the mayor of New York City. Eric Adams, It is a statement. “I am grateful for the continued work of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner honoring the memory of John Ballantyne Niven and all those we have lost.”

The medical examiner’s office has been using advanced DNA analysis to identify victims’ remains in recent years.

Ahead of the anniversary of the attack last September, the office identified the remains of a man and a woman, although their names were not released at the request of their relatives.

“We will always remember our heroes who died on 9/11 and appreciate the continued efforts of forensic experts to help identify the victims,” ​​said the Oyster Bay supervisor. Joseph Saladino, in a separate statement. “We hope that this amazing technological advancement will help bring peace to Mr. Niven’s family and let him rest in eternal peace.”

approx 40 percent of the victims of the World Trade Center attack have not yet been identifiedA few complete bodies were found when the massive towers collapsed.

But as DNA testing has evolved, So do efforts to link more than 21,900 remains to individual victims. In some cases, scientists have returned to the same fragments 10 or more times, hoping that new technology will provide answers.

September 11 attacks They killed about 3,000 people New York, near the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

(with information from AP)