Tampa, FL -- Researchers at the University of South Florida announced Thursday they have positively identified two more sets of human remains found at the former Arthur G. Dozier School for Boys in Marianna.
Relatives of those identified were quick to share their relief and emotional stories.
"Tears, you name it," said 85-year-old Richard Varnadoe.
It was Richard's DNA that was used to ID the remains of his older brother Thomas who died at the school at the age of just 13. Accused, falsely, said Richard, of stealing a neighbor's typewriter.
Thomas became the second victim named among dozens of unmarked graves at the former youth prison.
"This has been great for me," said Richard. "I didn't think I'd live to see the end to this."
On Wednesday there was a surprise as researchers also confirmed the identification of a third victim, the first African-American, as 12-year-old Earl Wilson.
Wilson was murdered in 1944, by four other boys confined to a small building on the Dozier property called a sweathouse.
His sister Cherry's DNA was a perfect match.
"Well, I'm glad it all came out," she said, "Thank God, because I have been hoping and been praying that the truth would come out about all of that."
The USF program opens painful wounds. A dark, shameful chapter in Florida's history, filled with death and mysterious disappearances.
Deaths 10 years apart, one murdered
In September 1934, Thomas Varnadoe was sent to Dozier with his older brother, Hubert. According to the death certificate, Thomas died of pneumonia 34 days after being admitted.
Thomas, whose body was found very close to George Owen Smith's, the first set of remains that was identified.
Deaths 10 years apart, one murdered
In September 1934, 13-year-old Thomas Varnadoe was sent to Dozier with his older brother, Hubert. According to the death certificate, Thomas died of pneumonia 34 days after being admitted.
Thomas, whose body was found very close to George Owen Smith's, was positively matched with DNA collected from another brother, Richard Varnadoe.
Several days later, Earl was killed by four of the students, according to court documents. During the trial, medical evidence presented listed the cause of death as blunt trauma to the head.
Researchers found Earl's grave within the area of marked crosses on the Dozier property, which were only ceremoniously placed at the site in the 1990s and didn't reflect the location of grave shafts or the total number of children buried there. He was positively identified with DNA collected from his sister, Cherry Wilson.
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Several days later, Earl was killed by four of the students, according to court documents. During the trial, medical evidence presented listed the cause of death as blunt trauma to the head.
Researchers found Earl's grave within the area of marked crosses on the Dozier property, which were only ceremoniously placed at the site in the 1990s and didn't reflect the location of grave shafts or the total number of children buried there. He was positively identified with DNA collected from his sister, Cherry Wilson.
Children at the youth prison were allegedly beaten and used for low-cost, even slave labor.
"You start to see a pattern here," said U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Florida.
Nelson has been instrumental in funding the program. He says any criminal or civil rights violations will be determined by what researchers find.
"This investigation really has just begun," said Nelson.
Of the 55 sets of skeletal remains found on the Dozier property, researchers say it's likely only four or five more can be positively identified through DNA testing given today's limitations.
The rest of the young victims will likely be buried in a more dignified memorial on the former school's property.
They can't go back in time, say researchers, to afford the rights to the children who were victimized. But they can offer resolution and peace to the families.
First boy identified
Years of hard work and research are finally helping to bring closure to families who sons, brothers, and love ones died at the school decades ago.
Dozens of bodies have been found in unmarked graves at the former youth detention facility in Marianna, Florida. Early last month, researchers identified their first set of remains as George Smith.
Smith's family attended a press conference where state dignitaries, researchers, and family members gathered to discuss the findings.
"At least I know he's dead," said Smith's sister, Ovell Krell, 85. "We didn't know for 73-and-a-half years."
Smith's bones were the first of 55 sets of remains to be identified using DNA, found by University of South Florida researchers.
Photos: First child identified from graves at Dozier school
Last month, state officials also agreed to allow USF to continue its research at Dozier for at least another year, through August 2015.
It's unknown just how many young boys, most of them African-American, were abused and killed at Dozier over the decades, but the state appears to be committed to uncovering the secretive, dark and shameful story of what happened there.
There are stories of beatings, floggings, and death for young prisoners, who in many cases were used for low-cost or even slave labor.
At the news conference where USF researchers identified Smith, they told the public they were close to identify at least three more sets of remains using DNA. Thursday's announcement appears to be for two of those three.
For those who cannot be identified, the state is working on a more dignified burial ground and permanent memorial.
