Boy in the Box

The Boy in the Box was the long-unidentified victim of a 1957 homicide in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli.

The Boy in the Box was the long-unidentified victim of a 1957 homicide in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, later identified as Joseph Augustus Zarelli. The case remains an open murder investigation, and the circumstances of his death are still unknown. The case is also known as “America’s Unknown Child.”

Discovery and early investigation

The body of a young boy was discovered on or about February 25, 1957, in Philadelphia’s Fox Chase area. Investigators determined that he had been beaten to death, but they were unable to identify him at the time.

Nickname and public attention

Because the child’s identity was unknown, the case became known as the Boy in the Box and attracted major public attention. The nickname “America’s Unknown Child” was later associated with the case.

Identification in 2022

Using DNA evidence and genealogical databases, Philadelphia police identified the boy as Joseph Augustus Zarelli in 2022. The identification ended a 65-year mystery about his name but did not solve the homicide.

Continuing investigation

Police have said the case remains an active homicide investigation. The exact circumstances of Zarelli’s death, including who killed him and why, are still unknown.