Two people whose remains had gone unidentified since the 1971 Tonti train wreck have been identified as mother and daughter, 35-year-old Katherine Marcelin and her three-year-old daughter Gladys “Gigi” Adams, bringing long-awaited answers to their surviving family after 55 years. Those involved in the project were surprised to learn during the initial investigation that the grave may have contained more than one person.
The identifications of the two who lived in the Chicago area resulted from a collaborative effort involving college student Henry Morton, the City of Salem, Marion County Coroner Claude Howell, the DNA Doe Project, forensic anthropologists, Crouse Funeral Home, Merz Vault Company, and others who contributed to the project.
The effort began in early 2025 when Morton approached the City of Salem with the idea of revisiting the decades-old case. Recognizing the project’s importance and the possibilities created by advances in DNA analysis and forensic genetic genealogy, the City worked with Morton to bring together the right partners and determine whether the unidentified remains could finally be identified.
The project proceeded with the involvement and authority of Marion County Coroner Claude Howell. The DNA Doe Project joined the effort to conduct the genealogical research needed to pursue identification.
On June 12, 2025, the unidentified remains were exhumed so DNA samples could be collected for forensic analysis. Crouse Funeral Home and Merz Vault Company provided important assistance and support during the exhumation, with cooperation from the City of Salem and the Marion County Coroner.
Forensic anthropologists were brought in to analyze and interpret the remains. Amy Michael, of the Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Laboratory, commonly known as the FAIR Lab, at the University of New Hampshire, participated in that work with assistance from Dr. Jennifer Bengtson of Southeast Missouri State University.
The involvement of both forensic anthropologists and forensic genealogists brought together two areas of expertise that were essential to the project. The forensic anthropologists examined and interpreted the remains, while the genealogists pursued possible family connections through DNA and documentary research.
As the investigation progressed, they made an unexpected discovery. What had long been believed to be the remains of one unidentified person was determined to include the remains of two separate individuals.
That discovery expanded the investigation’s scope and required additional forensic analysis and genealogical research. Through the work of the DNA Doe Project, the forensic anthropologists, and the cooperation of the project’s partners, the two individuals were ultimately identified as Katherine Marcelin and Gladys Adams.
The investigation also determined that Katherine Marcelin and Gladys Adams were family members.
Following the identifications, Marion County Coroner Claude Howell was responsible for contacting and officially notifying the surviving family.
The family has authorized the public release of the names Katherine Marcelin and Gladys “Gigi” Adams. However, the family continues to request privacy, and no additional identifying information about the victims or their surviving relatives will be released at this time. All partners involved respectfully ask members of the public and the media to honor that request.
The family has expressed its appreciation for the work of everyone involved and plans to visit Salem to meet privately with several of the project’s partners.
City of Salem Mayor Nic Farley said:
“When Henry first approached the City with this idea, we saw an opportunity to pursue answers to a question that had remained unresolved for more than five decades. We could not have known where the work would lead, but Henry’s initiative and the commitment of every partner made this result possible. Most importantly, Katherine Marcelin and Gladys “Gigi” Adams have been identified, and their family now has answers. The Salem community has cared for their remains since 1971, and we are grateful that Katherine and Gladys have finally had their names restored.”
Marion County Coroner Claude Howell stated:
“Officially notifying the surviving family was a responsibility I took very seriously. After 55 years, we were finally able to provide answers about Katherine Marcelin and Gladys Adams. We are grateful to Henry Morton, the DNA Doe Project, the City of Salem, the forensic anthropologists, Crouse Funeral Home, Merz Vault Company, and everyone else who helped make these identifications possible. We hope these answers provide some measure of peace to the family.”
A Collaborative Effort
The partners extend their sincere appreciation to Henry Morton, whose initiative brought renewed attention to the case and helped bring together the people and organizations needed to pursue the identifications.
Special recognition is given to the DNA Doe Project, whose volunteers and forensic genealogists devoted their time and expertise to the extensive DNA and genealogical research that led to the identifications of Katherine Marcelin and Gladys Adams. Without their work, these identifications would not have been possible. More information about the organization and opportunities to support its work are available at dnadoeproject.org.
The partners also recognize Dr. Amy Michael, of the Forensic Anthropology Identification and Recovery Laboratory at the University of New Hampshire, and Dr. Jennifer Bengtson, of Southeast Missouri State University, for contributing their forensic anthropology expertise to the analysis and interpretation of the remains. We also would like to thank Gwen Knapp with Depaul University for her genealogy work.
The partners thank Marion County Coroner Claude Howell and the Marion County Coroner’s Office for overseeing the official aspects of the investigation, coordinating the handling of the remains, and carrying out the important responsibility of officially notifying the surviving family.
The City of Salem is recognized for working with Morton from the project’s earliest stages, helping bring the appropriate partners together, and providing cooperation and support throughout the effort.
The partners further express their gratitude to Crouse Funeral Home for its professionalism, compassion, and invaluable assistance during the exhumation and related work, and to Merz Vault Company for its generous assistance and support during the process. Recognition is also extended to the City of Salem Public Works crew for their expertise and care during the exhumation.
A thank you is also extended to the researchers, volunteers, laboratory professionals, community members, and others whose contributions helped bring this decades-old case to a resolution. Crowd funding was able to secure to help make this possible, with special assistance from the Salem Tourism Board. The partners thank their donations to the DNA Doe Project for helping make this possible.
This project demonstrates what can be accomplished when individual initiative, community cooperation, and modern forensic science come together. What began with a college student asking whether a 55-year-old mystery could still be solved grew into a partnership involving local government, the county coroner, community businesses, forensic anthropologists, and forensic genealogy experts.
Katherine Marcelin and Gladys “Gigi” Adams are no longer unidentified.
