NEW YORK CITY MEDICAL EXAMINER IDENTIFIES REMAINS OF 9/11 VICTIMS ANDREA HABERMAN AND JOHN NIVEN – Next-Generation DNA Sequencing Technology Cracks Decades-Old Case, Bringing Closure to Families After 22 Years
In a remarkable breakthrough, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner has identified the remains of two victims of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, Andrea Haberman and John Niven, using next-generation DNA sequencing technology.
This achievement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to account for the lives lost in the devastating event.
The identification of John Niven, a 44-year-old insurance executive, and Andrea Haberman, whose details are yet to be released, brings the total number of identified victims to 1,652.
This progress is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the medical examiner’s office to fulfill the promise made 25 years ago to identify the remains of those who perished.
Ellen Niven, John’s wife, received the news in December 2023, when two law enforcement officers visited her home as she was decorating her Christmas tree. Tim Lee, John’s best friend, was driving when he learned about the identification of his friend’s remains.
John Niven was a senior vice president at Aon, a consulting firm, and was on his way to work on the 105th floor of the South Tower when the terrorist attack occurred. He was inside the second building when the first building was struck.
The next-generation DNA sequencing technology used to identify the remains is more sensitive and faster than traditional DNA testing. This technology has undergone continuous improvement since its initial implementation in 2007.
The identification of Andrea Haberman and John Niven brings closure to their families after 22 years of uncertainty. The New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner continues to work tirelessly to identify the remaining 1,103 victims, representing 40% of the total number of people who died in New York City on that fateful day.
