Human Remains Identified in 1981 Missing Persons Investigation in NJ

Human Remains Identified in 1981 Missing Persons Investigation in NJ

According to the NJ State Police, the New Jersey State Police has identified human remains recovered on May 22, 1981, in Atlantic City through advances in forensic DNA technology and investigative genetic genealogy.

On May 22, 1981, unidentified human remains were recovered approximately one mile offshore from Raleigh Avenue in Atlantic City. Despite previous DNA testing and entry of the decedent’s profile into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS), investigators found no leads or matches.

To identify the decedent, detectives with the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit utilized investigative genetic genealogy (IGG).

Genealogical research by Ramapo College identified a candidate, Glen Napoleon Burbage, born April 12, 1921.

The investigation determined that Mr. Burbage was a retired United States Coast Guard Chief Warrant Officer from Charleston, South Carolina. Detectives learned that he traveled to Atlantic City by air in March 1981 and was never heard from again.

To confirm the identification, the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit requested assistance from the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) in obtaining a reference DNA sample from Mr. Burbage’s family.

Following a one-to-one familial DNA comparison conducted by the New Jersey State Police Central Laboratory, the report conclusively identified the previously unidentified decedent as Glen Napoleon Burbage.

The New Jersey State Police would like to thank Othram Inc., Ramapo College IGG Center, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the New Jersey State Police Central Laboratory for their collaboration in resolving this 45-year-old unidentified persons case.

Investigative initiatives to identify missing persons and unidentified human remains, such as this case, are supported through federal Missing and Unidentified Human Remains (MUHR) grant funding awarded to the New Jersey State Police.

This funding provides critical resources for unresolved missing and unidentified remains cases, including advanced DNA testing, specialized forensic analysis, investigative genetic genealogy, anthropological examination, and other modern investigative and forensic technologies. Partnerships among the NJSP Missing Persons Unit, NJSP Office of Forensic Sciences, federal, county, and local law enforcement agencies, and outside forensic laboratories continue to give investigators new opportunities to identify individuals whose cases have remained unresolved for years or decades and to provide long-awaited answers to families.

The investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Burbage’s death remains open. Anyone with information regarding his disappearance or death is asked to contact the New Jersey State Police Missing Persons Unit at missingpinformation@njsp.gov.