For more than three decades, the family of Judy Rodrigueza much loved mother and sister, lived with uncertainty about her whereabouts. Disappeared after a family celebration in 1991, her case remained unsolved until this year, when a combination of scientific advances, police persistence and the cooperation of the Queens District Attorney’s Office allowed his remains to be identified.
According to NBC NewsJudy’s disappearance occurred after her daughter Stephanie’s first birthday party in 1991. “We had just had a beautiful day together, and sadly it was the last time we saw her,” her sister Anna Salvadore shared with the media. , who described the missing woman as an always smiling and affectionate person.
Despite efforts to search for her, which included distributing handmade flyers throughout the city of New Yorkno clues were ever found until now.
NBC News He highlighted that the case began to be answered many years later, thanks to the rise of genealogy tests and police access to their databases. Salvadore explained that his daughter decided to send a DNA sample and gave her consent for access by the authorities.
Shortly after, the family received a call from a genealogist linked to the New York Police Department (NYPD). “When I heard the message, I immediately felt chills”she expressed excitedly. From that initial clue, a sample was requested from Judy’s daughter Stephanie, who ultimately confirmed the identity.
“The results indicated an absolute 100% coincidence on the anniversary of my mother’s death,” said Salvadore, highlighting that he felt this discovery was a gift from his mother from beyond.
Although the remains of Judy Rodriguez were discovered in 1991, hidden in an area near the Cross Island Expressway and the Southern State Parkwayit was not possible to identify her at that time. However, researchers had the foresight to preserve his bones for more than thirty years in the hope that scientific advances would provide answers in the future.
“The decision to keep those samples was incredibly correct,” the Queens district attorney told the outlet. Melinda Katzwho called the case a significant achievement of his cold case unit.
“We knew we could make a difference in people’s lives, and that difference doesn’t always mean prosecution. Sometimes it is enough to provide answers,” Katz added to NBC News.
For the prosecutor, one of the current priorities is to identify other unrecognized victims, of which they have at least forty-seven pending cases. The news network also mentioned that the congresswoman Grace Meng provided additional resources, with a grant of USD 500,000, for this scientific and forensic purpose.
The discovery of Judy’s identity has brought relief to her family after so many years of unanswered questions. Although the end was tragic, they are now planning to give him a proper burial near his parents.
“We are honestly happy that we were able to give her body rest and that we were able to find her,” he said. Stephanie Rodríguez a NBC News. For his part, the victim’s brother, Marcos Rodriguezdescribed it as a miracle that restored family tranquility.
The emotional impact that this case generated is clear in the words of Anna Salvadore, who assured that for her mother it was a constant struggle to live with the uncertainty about what happened to her daughter. “I was always searching, asking questions, trying to find people who might have seen something. “He lived with a great void in his heart,” he explained to the media.
The Rodríguez family has a message for those still facing the uncertainty of a missing loved one. “Don’t lose faith. There are possibilities of obtaining answers even after so many years”Salvadore said.
Likewise, Prosecutor Katz reiterated the importance of technology in solving similar cases and empathized with families who do not have closure in tragic situations. He said that, as someone who lost his mother in his childhood, he cannot imagine the pain of those who live with that uncertainty for decades. “For me, giving them comfort and closing chapters is essential”he concluded.
