Over the last decade, thousands of DNA samples have been donated to the city’s medical examiner’s office. Most include swabs of saliva from close relatives, but also DNA taken from items used by the missing persons themselves, including toothbrushes, combs, razor blades and, once, even a sanitary napkin.



They’ve led to the identification of about 50 missing people each year, all of whom had been found dead. But for many who have submitted samples, the wait continues.



“Part of you hopes they never call you, because if they call, that means it’s over,” said Rose Cobo, who submitted DNA to the program after her adult niece vanished in 2016 after being treated at a Brooklyn hospital for post-partum depression following the birth of a son. Chelsea Cobo’s whereabouts is still unknown.

Click to expand...