Murder: True Crime Stories – Episode: UNSOLVED: The Boy in the Box 2

Host: Carter Roy
Release Date: August 7, 2025
Produced by: Crime House, Powered by PAVE Studios

Introduction

In the second installment of the two-part series on one of America's most haunting cold cases, Carter Roy delves deeper into the mysterious and tragic story of "The Boy in the Box." This episode, titled "UNSOLVED: The Boy in the Box 2," explores the relentless efforts of dedicated investigators and passionate individuals who refused to let this case fade into obscurity.

“This is a story about persistence and the mysteries that refuse to stay buried.” – Carter Roy [00:06]

Reopening the Case: A New Investigation

Carter Roy begins by recounting the 1957 discovery of the young boy's body in the woods outside Philadelphia. Initially, detectives presumed the case would be straightforward due to the boy's young age, expecting someone to report him missing. However, as months turned into years without leads, confidence waned, and the investigation went cold.

Remington Bristow's Dedication

• Remington Bristow, a member of the Philadelphia medical examiner's office, became a pivotal figure in the case. Despite decades passing, Bristow remained convinced he had solved the mystery.

“People's lives are like a story. There's a beginning, a middle, and an end.” – Carter Roy [00:06]

Bristow hypothesized that a young woman named Anna Marie, who grew up in a foster home near the crime scene, was the boy's mother. His persistence, however, was initially met with resistance from his superiors.

Collaboration with Retired Investigators

Five years after Bristow's death in 1993, Captain Pat Dempsey of the Philadelphia Police Department decided to reopen the case, assigning it to Detective Tom Augustine.

“This is the second of two episodes on the Boy in the Box, one of America's most haunting cold cases.” – Carter Roy [04:27]

Detective Augustine’s first major step was to interview Anna Marie in February 1998. Despite Anna Marie's claim that her son had died in a freak accident, Augustine remained skeptical, sensing there was more to the story.

The Vidocq Society's Involvement

Around the same time, a group known as the Vidocq Society took an interest in the case. Named after the famed French detective Eugene Francois Vidocq, this society consisted of retired cops, forensic experts, and medical examiners who met monthly to discuss cold cases.

Key Members Involved:

• William Kelly, a retired Philadelphia detective present at the original crime scene
• Joseph McGillen, a longtime colleague of Remington Bristow

“The Boy in the Box had haunted detectives for decades. Now he was haunting the Internet, too.” – Carter Roy [04:27]

In March 1998, the Vidocq Society agreed to collaborate with Detective Augustine, bringing fresh perspectives and expertise to the investigation.

Media Exposure and Public Involvement

The case gained national attention when America's Most Wanted aired a segment on October 3, 1998, urging viewers to provide any pertinent information. This exposure led to a surge of public interest and tips, including from George Knowles, who created a dedicated website for the case, amassing over a million visitors.

Exhumation and DNA Testing Efforts

On November 3, 1998, the boy's remains were exhumed from a pauper's grave and reburied in a proper plot at Ivy Hill Cemetery, providing an opportunity for DNA analysis despite the degraded state of the body.

“If they could extract even a small sample, it might help them answer the question that had evaded detectives for over 50 years.” – Carter Roy [15:55]

In 2001, mitochondrial DNA was successfully extracted from a tooth, laying the groundwork for future genetic genealogy attempts.

A Promising Lead: Martha's Testimony

In June 2002, Detective Tom Augustine received a compelling tip from a psychiatrist in Cincinnati. Martha, one of the psychiatrist's patients, claimed her mother had trafficked and murdered the boy, named Jonathan, in 1957.

“Her account was harrowing, and it had the texture of real memory.” – Carter Roy [15:55]

Despite the detailed nature of Martha's story, corroboration proved challenging due to a lack of documentation and conflicting accounts from neighbors who remembered Martha's parents as unremarkable educators.

Investigative Deadlock and Renewed Hope

By September 2004, the Vidocq Society had to officially consider Martha's account unverified, despite lingering doubts. The case seemed to stagnate once more until advancements in genetic genealogy opened new doors.

Breakthrough Through Genetic Genealogy

In 2019, leveraging cutting-edge genetic genealogy techniques, Philadelphia authorities exhumed the boy's body a second time. This innovative approach led to the identification of Joseph Augustus Zarrilli, finally giving the boy a name after 65 years.

“His name was Joseph Augustus Zarrilli. He was born on January 13, 1953, making him just four years old when he was killed.” – Carter Roy [29:00]

Final Revelations and Ongoing Investigations

While Joseph’s identity was unveiled, the case remains officially unsolved. Investigators have identified Betsy Abel as Joseph's mother and Augustus Gus Zyrelli as his father, both now deceased. Despite their identifications, no suspects have been formally named, and the motivations behind the murder remain unclear.

“This is a story about a child whose life was short, brutal, and lonely.” – Carter Roy [29:00]

Conclusion

Carter Roy encapsulates the essence of this enduring mystery, highlighting the unwavering dedication of those who sought justice for Joseph. The episode serves as a testament to the power of persistence, community involvement, and evolving forensic science in solving cold cases.

“He mattered. And now he can finally be remembered, not as a nameless victim, but as a human being.” – Carter Roy [29:00]

Key Quotes with Timestamps

• Carter Roy [00:06]:
  “This is Crime House. Every cold case is a wound left open for loved ones, for investigators, for anyone who stumbles across a name and wonders what happened.”

• Carter Roy [04:27]:
  “It's a story about loss, identity and the relentless search for answers.”

• Carter Roy [15:55]:
  “If they could extract even a small sample, it might help them answer the question that had evaded detectives for over 50 years.”

• Carter Roy [29:00]:
  “This is a story about a child whose life was short, brutal, and lonely.”

Final Thoughts

"UNSOLVED: The Boy in the Box 2" offers a gripping exploration of a case that has captivated the nation for decades. Through meticulous investigation, community engagement, and scientific advancements, the podcast honors the memory of Joseph Augustus Zarrilli while shedding light on the complexities of unsolved crimes.

For more detailed narratives and updates on other true crime cases, tune in to future episodes of Murder: True Crime Stories every Tuesday and Thursday.

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This summary was crafted based on the transcript provided, focusing solely on the episode's content and excluding advertisements and non-relevant sections.