PA THE BOY IN THE BOX: WM, 4-6, found in Philadelphia, PA - 25 February 1957 *JOSEPH ZARELLI*

America's Unknown Child

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

America's unknown child, the Boy in the Box, was found in Philadelphia, #PENNSYLVANIA in February of 1957 & identified in 2022 to be Joseph A Zarelli!

An unidentified Caucasian male, probable age 4 to 6 years, whose nude body, wrapped in a cheap flannel blanket, was found lying face up inside a large cardboard carton.

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Mel70]

I believe the address was 9001 Arbor, Fort Myers.

TYVM Akoya for the information. I hope you are doing well.

 

[Cspe]

I believe the address was 9001 Arbor, Fort Myers.

Thank you

 

[Cspe]

This is my belated welcome to the group! I didn’t see your post until today.

Thank you - I keep getting lost within the site. it will take me a few times, but I will get used to it.

 

[Cspe]

Hi does anyone know the address for M’s uncle’s house that is listed in stout/Hoffman book? I live 10 minutes away from the dumpsite I’m very familiar with the Mayfair neighborhoods Fox Chase in rhawnhurst. The twin home looks like it’s very much in one of those localities. Ty!

 

[Mel70]

Welcome @Cspe to Crimewatchers.

 

[Kimster]

Hi does anyone know the address for M’s uncle’s house that is listed in stout/Hoffman book? I live 10 minutes away from the dumpsite I’m very familiar with the Mayfair neighborhoods Fox Chase in rhawnhurst. The twin home looks like it’s very much in one of those localities. Ty!

I do not. Next time @Akoya drops by, she might be able to help you.

 

[Mel70]

Hi does anyone know the address for M’s uncle’s house that is listed in stout/Hoffman book? I live 10 minutes away from the dumpsite I’m very familiar with the Mayfair neighborhoods Fox Chase in rhawnhurst. The twin home looks like it’s very much in one of those localities. Ty!

The only address I could find was for M's parents at 100 Clue St.

 

[Akoya]

The only address I could find was for M's parents at 100 Clue St.

The house is located in Mayfair. I didn't release the address because Edward has never been charged with anything. His widow lives in Cape May, NJ. Much of this information is in the thread. I don't believe M's parents lived on Clue St. M's family lived at 135 Winchester Rd, Merion Station.

 

[Akoya]

TYVM Akoya for the information. I hope you are doing well.

Thank you.

 

[Mel70]

@Akoya. Yeah. I just did a quick search, And the Clue St. Address came up. I was searching under the uncle. Thank you very much for all of your research and information.

 

[Akoya]

@Akoya. Yeah. I just did a quick search, And the Clue St. Address came up. I was searching under the uncle. Thank you very much for all of your research and information.

Thanks

 

[Mel70]

Thanks

You are most welcome.

 

[Akoya]

I was gone for so long, and many things have passed by me. I'm still trying to catch up with everything. M and her family have all passed so there is no need to protect their identities. M's correct name was Martha Davis. Her mother was Marjorie and her father was James. Marjorie worked in what is now the Lower Merion Middle School, located a few blocks from my grandparent's home. James was a science teacher and a coach at Lower Merion High School. Marjorie was later in charge of the library services at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell. I met Marjorie when I was with my father and the Commissioners for a function that was held at the MCCC library. I don't remember very much about Marjorie except that she was very nice to me.

At this time, a new book is being written. The author is a member of the Vidocq Society. The author has visited our forum a number of times for photographs and data from my thread. The author also has all of Martha's diaries and journals. They were given to the Vidocq group by Martha's close friend after she passed. This book will likely have a lot more information than we currently have. I last spoke to the author about two months ago. The book wasn't ready for the publisher at that point.

 

[Mel70]

I was gone for so long, and many things have passed by me. I'm still trying to catch up with everything. M and her family have all passed so there is no need to protect their identities. M's correct name was Martha Davis. Her mother was Marjorie and her father was James. Marjorie worked in what is now the Lower Merion Middle School, located a few blocks from my grandparent's home. James was a science teacher and a coach at Lower Merion High School. Marjorie was later in charge of the library services at Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell. I met Marjorie when I was with my father and the Commissioners for a function that was held at the MCCC library. I don't remember very much about Marjorie except that she was very nice to me.

At this time, a new book is being written. The author is a member of the Vidocq Society. The author has visited our forum a number of times for photographs and data from my thread. The author also has all of Martha's diaries and journals. They were given to the Vidocq group by Martha's close friend after she passed. This book will likely have a lot more information than we currently have. I last spoke to the author about two months ago. The book wasn't ready for the publisher at that point.

WOW! Thank you so very much much again. You put so much work into this case. It's very impressive. I hope you are doing much better now.

 

[Akoya]

When I was in elementary school, I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. I vividly remember seeing photographs of little Joseph Zarelli. His photos were everywhere. They were included with the electric bill and various other items in the mail. They were on the post office and the State Store (PA liquor store) walls. Joseph was the first dead person I had ever seen. Over time, I realized that I also had many connections to Martha.

 

[Mel70]

When I was in elementary school, I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. I vividly remember seeing photographs of little Joseph Zarelli. His photos were everywhere. They were included with the electric bill and various other items in the mail. They were on the post office and the State Store (PA liquor store) walls. Joseph was the first dead person I had ever seen. Over time, I realized that I also had many connections to Martha.

Oh wow! What first got me interested in the missing was "Johnny Gosch". We would drive through Iowa to my grandparents farm in Missouri. We stopped at a small diner in Iowa. His missing poster was on the door. I read it. Studied it. I was perplexed. What do you mean he's missing?. Why can't they find him?. Where would he be?. I was 12. Ever since I have been interested in the missing. A few months later read my first true crime book. I was hooked.

 

[Mel70]

When I was in elementary school, I lived in the Philadelphia suburbs. I vividly remember seeing photographs of little Joseph Zarelli. His photos were everywhere. They were included with the electric bill and various other items in the mail. They were on the post office and the State Store (PA liquor store) walls. Joseph was the first dead person I had ever seen. Over time, I realized that I also had many connections to Martha.

Wow. That is definitely a traumatic dead body to see for the first time. That poor boy. He suffered so much. There was a case here of "Dennis Jurgens" In the 1960's. The adoptive mother was a monster.

 

[Mel70]

Hai @Whatsnext mein freund. Und alburn hund Benny. Aufwauchen Benny!!!

 

[Mel70]

Not to get off topic. But this is a terrible awful case of child abuse resulting in death also. One of the worst. Lois even looked evil.

Lois Jurgens - Wikipedia

en.m.wikipedia.org

 

[Mel70]