Remains of September 11 terror attack victim identified after 22 years | US News

The remains of a man who was killed in the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center have been identified more than two decades later.

John Ballantine Niven, 44, was an executive for the insurance firm Aon Risk Services on the 105th floor of tower two when hijackers flew planes into the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001.

He was identified through a DNA breakthrough on Thursday as the 1,650th victim of the deadliest attack on American soil.

‘It is certainly emotional for me, and I’m sure many others, to hear many years later that DNA has been found,’ said his wife, Ellen Niven.

Ellen said she and their son, who was 18 months old at the time of the attack, are ‘so appreciative of this tremendous endeavor’ that city officials have continued to undertake to identify the remains.

‘It’s a real tribute to the City of New York and the teams working behind the scenes all these years to honor that mantra “Never Forget,”‘ she said.

The medical examiner’s office identified the remains of her husband, of Oyster Bay, with an advanced DNA analysis.

John grew up in Oyster Bay and his family spent time between his hometown and Manhattan.

‘We’re hopeful that this amazing advance in technology helps bring peace to Mr Niven’s family and allows him to eternally rest in peace,’ stated Oyster Bay supervisor Joseph Saladino.

About 40% of the 2,753 people killed in the Twin Towers attack remain unidentified. Improvements in DNA testing have given scientists and the public hope that the more than 21,900 remains can be linked to more individuals.

‘Our solemn promise to find answers for families using the latest advances in science stands as strong today as in the immediate days after the World Trade Center attacks,’ stated Chief Medical Examiner Dr Jason Graham.

‘This new identification attests to our agency’s unwavering commitment and the determination of our scientists.’

New York City Mayor Eric Adams said that the losses from 9/11 never leave, but ‘the possibility of new identifications can offer solace to the families of victims’.

‘I’m grateful for the ongoing work from the office of chief medical examiner that honors the memory of John Ballantine Niven,’ stated Adams, ‘And all those we lost.’

The medical examiner identified two victims last September ahead of the 22nd anniversary of the attacks, but their families chose not to make their names public. Nearly 3,000 people died on 9/11 in the attacks spanning New York, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania.

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