November 26, 2025 Greenville, NY
Press Release
On September 14, 1991, the New York State Police, SP Middletown, responded to a report of human bones discovered after a swamp was drained off Woods Road in the Town of Greenville, in Orange County, New York. Responding members located a skull and additional skeletal remains concentrated within a seven-foot radius, with portions of the remains buried under approximately one foot of earth.
The victim was found with several personal effects; however, due to the passage of time and exposure to the elements of being underwater for years, these items did not yield any useful information regarding the individual’s identity at the time. However, coins and certain manufactured property located on the victim revealed that he may have went missing in the mid 1970’s.
Over the years, Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) conducted a thorough and exhaustive investigation, which included interviews, media releases, regional checks for missing persons, multiple DNA submissions and the utilization of CODIS and NAMUS. In 2024, in partnership with Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), a Familial DNA sample was obtained from the victim’s remains for Forensic Genetic Genealogy analysis. The resulting profile indicated the victim had genetic roots in Eastern Europe, but no definitive identification could be made.
That same year, personal property recovered from the victim was submitted to the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Questioned Documents Unit, in Quantico, Virginia. This state-of-the-art analysis generated a critical lead suggesting the victim may have resided in the City of Port Jervis, New York.
Based on this new information, Troop F BCI initiated targeted interviews and additional investigative steps in the City of Port Jervis. During this process, the Port Jervis Police Department located a hard-copy blotter entry dated October 1, 1976, documenting a missing person report for Mikolai Celesz, age 76 at the time of his disappearance. The report indicated he had been reported missing by a family member.
With the assistance of the New York State Police Cold Case Unit, the New York State Intelligence Center, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation – Organized Crime Unit, investigators conducted comprehensive historical research and intelligence gathering on Mikolai Celesz.
In 2025, members of Troop F BCI traveled to the State of Florida to interview surviving relatives of Mikolai Celesz. These interviews provided crucial background regarding his life and disappearance. DNA samples obtained from family members were analyzed by the New York State Police Forensic Investigation Center, which resulted in a positive identification: the remains recovered in 1991 were conclusively identified as those of Mikolai Celesz.
The New York State Police is grateful to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Department of Homeland Security Investigations, and the City of Port Jervis Police Department for their invaluable assistance. Their partnership and dedication helped bring long-awaited answers to Mikolai’s family—more than forty-eight years after he disappeared.
Anyone with information regarding the disappearance of Mikolai Celesz is urged to contact Troop F Communications at (845) 344-5300 and reference case number 3021756.
Contact Troop F Public Information Officer: Trooper Jennifer Alvarez
Troop F Commander:
Major Andre R. Terry
Contact us by email:
Map Directions:
New York State Police Troop F Headquarters
Middletown NY, 10941