Police Identify Man Killed in 1979

Apr 24, 2026, 13:42
A2

Police Identify Man Killed in 1979

Introduction

A man was killed in 1979 in New Jersey. For many years, police did not know his name. Now, using DNA, they found his name. He is Robert Dean Irelan.

Main Body

Police found a body in a shallow grave in a wooded area. The man died from a gunshot to the head. He died in the winter of 1978-1979. For many years, police did not know his name. They called him John Doe. In March 2023, police started to look at the case again. Researchers at a college used DNA to find his family. Tracie Boyle said they used lists of DNA matches to make family trees. They looked for family in the Atlantic City area. They found the man''s name. He was Robert Dean Irelan. He lived in Pleasantville, New Jersey. He often went to Atlantic City. Police think he was 18 to 22 years old when he died. When police found him, he wore white pants, a plaid shirt, Pro-Keds shoes, a black-and-white sweater, and a blue jacket. The jacket had a gold letter ''R'' on the right pocket and a gold cross on the left pocket. Before they knew his name, police made a drawing of his face. Later, they found a photo of Robert Irelan. The photo looked like the drawing. Police talked to his family. They ask the public for help to find the killer. Boyle hopes people will give information. A local man named Herbert Ladner remembered the case. He said new DNA technology can help stop crime and help police solve cases.

Conclusion

Police still want information about the killer. Now they know the victim''s name. They can continue to investigate.

Vocabulary Learning

family
People related to you, like parents and children.家人
Example:They used DNA to find his family.
help
To do something for someone who needs it.幫助
Example:Police ask the public for help.
killed
To make someone die.殺死
Example:A man was killed in 1979.
name
The word that people call you.名字
Example:Police did not know his name.
photo
A picture made with a camera.照片
Example:They found a photo of Robert Irelan.

Sentence Learning

A man was killed in 1979 in New Jersey.
Passive voice: 'was killed' shows the action happened in the past, and the subject is the victim.本句使用被動語態（was killed），表示動作發生在過去，主語是受害者。
For many years, police did not know his name.
Past tense negative: 'did not know' describes a state that continued in the past.本句使用過去時否定形式（did not know），描述過去持續的狀態。
Now, using DNA, they found his name.
Present time word 'now' with past tense 'found' to show a recent discovery using DNA.本句使用現在時間詞（now）搭配過去時（found），表示利用DNA技術的最新發現。
He is Robert Dean Irelan.
Simple present tense 'is' to identify a person.本句使用簡單現在時（is）來辨識人物身份。
Police think he was 18 to 22 years old when he died.
Present tense 'think' followed by past tense 'was' and 'died' to express a current belief about a past fact.本句使用現在時（think）搭配過去時（was, died），表達對過去事實的當前推測。
B2

1979 Cold Case Victim Identified as Robert Dean Irelan Using Genetic Genealogy

Introduction

A murder case from 1979 in Salem County, New Jersey, has been solved. The victim has been identified as Robert Dean Irelan, thanks to genetic genealogy research carried out by Ramapo College.

Main Body

The remains of a person were found in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Quinton Township, about 41 miles from Philadelphia. The New Jersey State Police determined that the victim died from a gunshot wound to the head during the winter of 1978–1979. For decades, the case remained unsolved, and the victim was known only as John Doe. In March 2023, the investigation was reopened. Researchers at the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center used DNA technology to build a family tree of the victim''s relatives. Tracie Boyle, a case manager at the center, stated that the team used match lists from Match List Pro and Family Tree DNA to find genetic relatives and search for common ancestors. The investigation focused on connections to the Atlantic City area because the victim was known to spend time there. As a result, the victim was identified as Robert Dean Irelan, a resident of Pleasantville, New Jersey, who often visited Atlantic City. Investigators believe Irelan was in his late teens or early twenties when he died. At the time of discovery, Irelan was wearing white painter’s trousers, a plaid cotton shirt, Pro-Keds sneakers, a black-and-white pullover sweater, and a distinctive blue Lee jacket. The jacket had a gold-plated letter ''R'' on the right pocket flap and a small gold-plated cross on the left pocket flap. Before the identification, law enforcement released a drawing of the victim''s face. A later photograph of Irelan matched that drawing. The New Jersey State Police have interviewed Irelan’s family and are asking the public for any information that could lead to the person responsible for the murder. Boyle expressed hope that community members would provide details to help the investigation. Herbert Ladner, a local resident who remembered the case from when it first appeared in the news, commented that advances in genetic technology could help reduce crime and assist those handling such cases.

Conclusion

Authorities are still asking the public for information about the killer. The identification of the victim gives investigators a starting point for further work.

Vocabulary Learning

advances
Progress or improvements in a particular field or activity.進步，進展
Example:Advances in genetic technology could help reduce crime.
distinctive
Having a quality that makes something easy to recognize; unique.獨特的，與眾不同的
Example:The victim was wearing a distinctive blue Lee jacket.
lead to
To cause something to happen or result in something.導致
Example:Any information that could lead to the person responsible for the murder.
reopened
Opened again after being closed, especially an investigation or case.重新開啟的
Example:In March 2023, the investigation was reopened.
unsolved
Not yet resolved or explained; still without a solution.未解決的
Example:For decades, the case remained unsolved.

Sentence Learning

The victim has been identified as Robert Dean Irelan, thanks to genetic genealogy research carried out by Ramapo College.
Passive voice in present perfect ("has been identified") emphasizes the action on the victim. The phrase "carried out by" is a reduced relative clause (research that was carried out), making the sentence concise.被動語態（現在完成式「has been identified」）強調受害者被確認身份。短語「carried out by」是省略關係代詞的關係子句（即 research that was carried out），使句子更簡潔。
For decades, the case remained unsolved, and the victim was known only as John Doe.
Passive voice ("was known") shows the victim's unknown status. The time phrase "for decades" sets the duration, and "and" connects two related facts.被動語態（「was known」）表示受害者身份不明。時間短語「For decades」說明持續時間，而「and」連接兩個相關事實。
As a result, the victim was identified as Robert Dean Irelan, a resident of Pleasantville, New Jersey, who often visited Atlantic City.
Passive voice ("was identified") reports the outcome. "As a result" is a linking phrase showing cause and effect. The relative clause "who often visited" gives extra information about the victim.被動語態（「was identified」）報告結果。「As a result」是連接短語，表示因果關係。關係子句「who often visited」提供關於受害者的額外信息。
The New Jersey State Police have interviewed Irelan’s family and are asking the public for any information that could lead to the person responsible for the murder.
The relative clause "that could lead" defines the type of information. The sentence uses present perfect ("have interviewed") and present continuous ("are asking") to show ongoing actions.關係子句「that could lead」定義了信息的類型。句子使用現在完成式（「have interviewed」）和現在進行式（「are asking」）表示正在進行的行動。
Herbert Ladner, a local resident who remembered the case from when it first appeared in the news, commented that advances in genetic technology could help reduce crime and assist those handling such cases.
The relative clause "who remembered" modifies "a local resident". The appositive phrase "a local resident" provides identification. The "that" clause reports his comment.關係子句「who remembered」修飾「a local resident」。同位語短語「a local resident」提供身份說明。「that」子句報告他的評論。
C2

Identification of 1979 Cold Case Victim Robert Dean Irelan via Genetic Genealogy

Introduction

A cold case homicide from 1979 in Salem County, New Jersey, has been resolved with the identification of the victim as Robert Dean Irelan, following investigative genetic genealogy conducted by Ramapo College.

Main Body

The remains of an individual were discovered in a shallow grave in a wooded area of Quinton Township, approximately 41 miles from Philadelphia. The New Jersey State Police determined that the victim had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head and had died during the winter of 1978–1979. For decades, the case remained unsolved, with the decedent classified as a John Doe. In March 2023, the investigation was reopened, and researchers at the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center employed DNA technology to construct a familial network. Tracie Boyle, a case manager at the center, stated that the team utilized match lists from Match List Pro and Family Tree DNA to build family trees of genetic relatives, seeking common ancestors. The search focused on connections to the Atlantic City area, given the victim''s known association with that region. The victim was subsequently identified as Robert Dean Irelan, a resident of Pleasantville, New Jersey, who was known to frequent Atlantic City. Investigators believe Irelan was in his late teens or early twenties at the time of his death. His clothing at the time of discovery included white painter’s trousers, a plaid cotton shirt, Pro-Keds sneakers, a black-and-white pullover sweater, and a distinctive blue Lee jacket. The jacket featured a gold-plated letter ''R'' on the right pocket flap and a small gold-plated cross on the left pocket flap. Prior to identification, law enforcement released a composite sketch of the victim. A photograph of Irelan was later found to match the composite. The New Jersey State Police have interviewed Irelan’s family and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification of the perpetrator. Boyle expressed hope that community members would provide details to assist the investigation. Herbert Ladner, a local resident who recalled the case from its initial coverage, commented that advances in genetic technology could aid in reducing crime and assist those processing such cases.

Conclusion

Authorities continue to seek information from the public regarding the perpetrator of the homicide, while the identification provides a basis for further investigation.

Vocabulary Learning

cold case
A criminal investigation that has remained unsolved for a long time.懸案；未破舊案
Example:A cold case homicide from 1979 in Salem County, New Jersey, has been resolved with the identification of the victim as Robert Dean Irelan.
decedent
A person who has died, especially in legal contexts.死者（尤指法律用語）
Example:For decades, the case remained unsolved, with the decedent classified as a John Doe.
familial network
A group of genetically related individuals used in genealogical research to identify ancestors.家族網絡（用於基因族譜研究的親屬關係網）
Example:Researchers at the Ramapo College Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center employed DNA technology to construct a familial network.
perpetrator
A person who commits a crime or harmful act.犯罪者；行兇者
Example:Authorities continue to seek information from the public regarding the perpetrator of the homicide.
sustained
To undergo or suffer (something unpleasant, such as an injury).遭受（傷害等）
Example:The New Jersey State Police determined that the victim had sustained a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

Sentence Learning

For decades, the case remained unsolved, with the decedent classified as a John Doe.
This sentence features an absolute construction introduced by 'with' followed by a noun phrase ('the decedent') and a past participle phrase ('classified as a John Doe'), which provides additional information about the state of the decedent. The main clause is 'the case remained unsolved' with a temporal adverbial 'For decades'.此句包含一個由「with」引導的獨立結構，後接名詞短語（「the decedent」）及過去分詞短語（「classified as a John Doe」），用以補充說明受害者的狀態。主句為「the case remained unsolved」，並帶有時間狀語「For decades」。
Tracie Boyle, a case manager at the center, stated that the team utilized match lists from Match List Pro and Family Tree DNA to build family trees of genetic relatives, seeking common ancestors.
This sentence uses an appositive phrase ('a case manager at the center') to identify the subject. The main clause is 'Tracie Boyle stated', followed by a noun clause ('that the team utilized...'). Within the noun clause, there is an infinitive of purpose ('to build family trees') and a present participial phrase ('seeking common ancestors') acting as an adverbial of accompanying circumstance.此句使用同位語短語（「a case manager at the center」）來說明主語。主句為「Tracie Boyle stated」，後接名詞從句（「that the team utilized...」）。名詞從句內包含目的不定式（「to build family trees」）及現在分詞短語（「seeking common ancestors」），作為伴隨情況的狀語。
The search focused on connections to the Atlantic City area, given the victim's known association with that region.
This sentence employs the preposition 'given' meaning 'considering' or 'in light of', which introduces a reason or condition. The main clause is 'The search focused on connections to the Atlantic City area'. The phrase 'given the victim's known association with that region' functions as an adverbial of reason, containing a possessive noun phrase.此句使用介詞「given」，意為「考慮到」或「鑑於」，引入原因或條件。主句為「The search focused on connections to the Atlantic City area」。短語「given the victim's known association with that region」充當原因狀語，內含所有格名詞短語。
The New Jersey State Police have interviewed Irelan’s family and are appealing to the public for any information that could lead to the identification of the perpetrator.
This sentence features a compound predicate with two coordinated verb phrases: 'have interviewed' and 'are appealing'. The second verb phrase includes a prepositional phrase ('to the public') and a noun phrase ('any information') modified by a restrictive relative clause ('that could lead to the identification of the perpetrator'). The relative clause uses the modal 'could' to express possibility.此句具有複合謂語，包含兩個並列動詞短語：「have interviewed」及「are appealing」。第二個動詞短語包含介詞短語（「to the public」）及名詞短語（「any information」），該名詞短語由限制性關係從句（「that could lead to the identification of the perpetrator」）修飾。關係從句使用情態動詞「could」表達可能性。
Herbert Ladner, a local resident who recalled the case from its initial coverage, commented that advances in genetic technology could aid in reducing crime and assist those processing such cases.
This sentence begins with a subject ('Herbert Ladner') followed by an appositive noun phrase ('a local resident') that contains a restrictive relative clause ('who recalled the case from its initial coverage'). The main verb is 'commented', followed by a noun clause ('that advances in genetic technology could aid...'). Within the noun clause, there is a parallel structure: 'could aid in reducing crime and assist those processing such cases'. The phrase 'processing such cases' is a reduced relative clause (present participle) modifying 'those'.此句以主語（「Herbert Ladner」）開頭，後接含有限制性關係從句（「who recalled the case from its initial coverage」）的同位語名詞短語（「a local resident」）。主要動詞為「commented」，後接名詞從句（「that advances in genetic technology could aid...」）。名詞從句內有並列結構：「could aid in reducing crime and assist those processing such cases」。短語「processing such cases」是修飾「those」的縮減關係從句（現在分詞）。