Remains Identified as Anthony Angelli Rea, Public Asked for Info on Unresolved Case

The images above show Anthony Angelli Rea, circa 1980s.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NEWBURYPORT, Mass. – July 24, 2025 – On November 28, 1992, skeletal remains were found partially buried in the marsh grass on Route 95 South in Newburyport. An autopsy was conducted, and although no cause of death was declared, the body was determined to be a teenage male. For 32 years the State Police assigned to the Essex District Attorney’s Office and the Newburyport Police attempted to identify the remains. Although investigators developed significant leads, due to the limitations in DNA identification, they were unable to make a positive identification.

Today, the Essex District Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of Othram, a private forensic laboratory in Woodlands, Texas, can positively identify the remains as that of Anthony Angelli Rea. Anthony was born in 1973 and lived part of his childhood in Malden with his mother. He was reported missing from the Harbor School in Newbury in August 1988.

Othram scientists successfully developed a DNA extract from skeletal remains and used Forensic-Grade Genome Sequencing® to develop a comprehensive DNA profile. Othram's in-house forensic genetic genealogy team then used the profile in a genealogical search to generate new investigative leads in the case, including the identification of potential relatives of the decedent.

Funding for Othram's casework costs associated with the advanced DNA testing in this case was provided by NamUs, a national program that assists the criminal justice community with the investigation and resolution of missing, unidentified, and unclaimed persons cases across the United States and its territories. NamUs is funded and administered by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) and is managed through a contract with Research Triangle Institute International (RTI).

Anyone with any information about Anthony Angelli Rea is asked to call the State Police Unresolved Case Unit at 855-MA-SOLVE.

The Essex District Attorney’s Office would like to thank the State Police Unresolved Case Unit, the Newburyport Police, Othram, Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, Dr. Ann Marie Mires, RTI, NamUs, and the NIJ.

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Michael Keefe-Feldman

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