DNA Identifies Dismembered 2000 Chelsea Murder Victim As Teen From Pennsylvania
Authorities announced Wednesday, June 3, 2026, that DNA has identified a dismembered body found in a Chelsea Soldiers' Home parking lot in 2000 as 16-year-old Tiffany Bradley of Pennsylvania.[1]
The FBI said it used investigative genetic genealogy to locate Bradley's brother and confirm her identity after 26 years.[1] Eugene McCollom, already serving a life sentence for the murder, told police he buried Bradley's head and other body parts at Nahant Beach.[1] Investigators believe Bradley was a human-trafficking victim who met McCollom shortly after arriving in the Boston area and was killed in his room at the Lynn YMCA.[1]
On November 13, 2000, police found a dismembered unidentified female body in the Chelsea Soldiers' Home parking lot in Chelsea, Massachusetts.[1] The case remained open as an unidentified "Jane Doe" while investigators re-examined evidence and turned to investigative genetic genealogy.[1]
Officials said the identification ends a 26-year search for answers in the case.[1]
Show source details & analysis (1 source)
📌 Key Facts
- On November 13, 2000, police found a dismembered unidentified female body in the Chelsea Soldiers' Home parking lot in Chelsea, Massachusetts.
- On Wednesday, June 3, 2026, authorities announced the victim has been identified through DNA as 16-year-old Tiffany Bradley of Pennsylvania.
- The FBI used investigative genetic genealogy to locate Bradley's brother and confirm her identity after 26 years.
- Convicted killer Eugene McCollom is already serving a life sentence for the murder and told police he buried her head and other body parts at Nahant Beach.
- Investigators believe Bradley was a human-trafficking victim who met McCollom shortly after arriving in the Boston area and was killed in his room at the Lynn YMCA.
📰 Source Timeline (1)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time