Police Have Identified Philadelphia’s Oldest Doe Homicide Victim

Joseph Augustus Zarelli, formally known as “Boy in a Box,” was found on February 25, 1957.

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On February 25, 1957, that would start the oldest homicide cold case worked by the Philadelphia Police Department. A college student was out in the woods in Philadephia, Pennsylvania, when he stumbled upon a cardboard box.

Inside the box was what he believed was a doll, but upon further inspection, he realized it was the body of a small child. The little boy had been severely beaten and malnourished. His blonde hair had been cut in a haphazard manner, and his fingernails were trimmed short. He was unclothed but wrapped in a small, plaid blanket. His age was estimated to be between four and six. Experts felt he had only been deceased for a few days, and detectives felt it would be a quick case to solve.

Little evidence near the crime scene was found, and the box itself had likely been picked up from the area. There had been a cap found nearby, but they were never able to identify the wearer.

Despite national coverage of the case, no one came forward to identify the little boy. He was given the moniker “Boy in a Box” but was later given the kinder name of “American’s Unknown Child.”