Nearly 50 years after a frozen body was discovered in a Pennsylvania cave, the identity of the man known as the "Pinnacle Man" has finally been revealed.
Found By Hikers
Nicholas Paul Grubb, a 27-year-old from Fort Washington, Pennsylvania, has been identified by the Berks County Coroner’s Office, according to CNN.
The remains were found on January 16, 1977, by hikers in a cave beneath Pinnacle Peak in Albany Township. Despite the advanced state of preservation, Grubb’s identity remained a mystery for decades due to the lack of distinguishing personal items or features that could aid in identification.
Initially, forensic examination, including dental and fingerprint analysis, did not yield any breakthroughs.
Died from Drug Overdose
The cause of death was determined to be a drug overdose, but without clear leads, the case went cold. It wasn't until 2019 that new developments emerged. Authorities revisited the case, exhuming Grubb’s body and updating his records in the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
Although DNA samples did not match any existing missing persons cases, a breakthrough came when Ian Keck of the Pennsylvania State Police discovered a lost fingerprint card from Grubb’s 1977 autopsy. This card was sent to NamUs, and within an hour, an FBI fingerprint expert matched the prints to those of Grubb.
This identification was confirmed through the Berks County Coroner’s Office, and Grubb’s family was notified.
