DNA Test Kits, Family Secrets, and a Murder 25 Years Cold: One Woman’s Curiosity Unravels a Tragedy
<img src="https://static.ctwant.com/images/cover/94/379894/md-5b5ba5670dfbda25b35103d4ad79533a.jpg" alt="A 23-year-old American woman, Jenna Rose Gerwatowski, accidentally helped the police solve a 25-year-old cold case by testing her DNA for fun, but she ended up sending her grandmother to prison. (Image/Pixabay)" width="858" height="452" onerror="this.src=" https:=" class="p-article__img" data-v-3a325b93=""/>
What started as a lighthearted TikTok trend turned into a shocking revelation for Jenna Rose Gerwatowski, a 23-year-old from Michigan. A simple DNA test kit, a popular Christmas gift among her friends, inadvertently led her down a rabbit hole of family secrets and a long-forgotten murder. Jenna’s playful curiosity unlocked a chilling truth – a truth that would land her grandmother behind bars.
"Her best friend got a box of DNA testing kits for Christmas two years ago, which gave her the idea to try it," recounts Gerwatowski in a TikTok video where she chronicles her astonishing experience. Initially taking the test with a carefree attitude, Jenna’s world was turned upside down when the police contacted her.
“Jenna said…she immediately took the DNA test with a playful attitude about taking the test,” she explained in that same TikTok video.
The DNA match pointed to a cold case from June 1997, a horrific murder at the Garnett Lake camping area where a little girl had been found drowned in a toilet, her identity known but the case remaining unsolved. Thinking it was a scam, Jenna initially dismissed the police’s claims. However, when her mother revealed that officers had visited their home seeking DNA samples, the reality sunk in.
The investigation took a dramatic turn when prosecutors confirmed that Jenna’s mother and the victim were blood relatives. The disturbing connection pointed towards Jenna’s grandmother, 61-year-old Nancy Gerwatoswki, who would ultimately confess to being the little girl’s mother.
Nancy admitted to suffocating her newborn daughter at home and disposing of her body. She faces charges of open murder, manslaughter, and concealment of a personal death. Released on bail in 2023, Nancy’s trial began on December 12th, 2023. If convicted, she faces life imprisonment.
This chilling case highlights the surprising and sometimes unforeseen consequences of readily available DNA testing kits. While offering exciting glimpses into personal ancestry and heritage, they can also unearth long-buried secrets, forcing families and communities to confront painful and tragic pasts.
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2024-12-01 08:55:00
