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Nearly 50 years after being found dead in a Pennsylvania cave, 'Pinnacle Man' is identified

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Nearly 50 years after being found dead in a Pennsylvania cave, 'Pinnacle Man' is identified
News

News

Nearly 50 years after being found dead in a Pennsylvania cave, 'Pinnacle Man' is identified

2024-09-04 01:17 Last Updated At:01:20

The body of a man found frozen in a small Pennsylvania cave nearly 50 years ago has finally been identified.

The remains of Nicolas Paul Grubb, 27, of Fort Washington, were discovered in January 1977 by two hikers who had ducked inside the cave to escape some inclement weather. Grubb has long been known as the “Pinnacle Man,” a reference to the Appalachian mountain peak near where his body was found.

An autopsy at the time found no signs of foul play and determined that he died from a drug overdose. Authorities, though, could not identify Grubb’s body from his appearance, belongings, clothing or dental information. Fingerprints were collected during his autopsy but somehow were misplaced, according to the Berks County Coroner’s Office.

Detectives from the state police and investigators with the coroner’s office had periodically revisited the case over the past 15 years and Grubb’s body was exhumed in August 2019 after dental records linked him to two missing person cases in Florida and Illinois.

DNA samples did not match in either case, but a break came last month in when a Pennsylvania state trooper found Grubb’s missing fingerprints. Within an hour of submitting the card to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System, a FBI fingerprint expert matched them to Grubb.

A relative of Grubb was notified of the discovery and family members asked the coroner’s office to place his remains in a family plot.

An earlier version of this report had an incorrect spelling of Nicolas Paul Grubb's first name.

This undated autopsy sketch by the Berks County Office of the Coroner shows Nicolas Paul Grubb, who's body was found in a Pa. cave in 1977. (Berks County Office of the Coroner via AP)

This undated autopsy sketch by the Berks County Office of the Coroner shows Nicolas Paul Grubb, who's body was found in a Pa. cave in 1977. (Berks County Office of the Coroner via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Berks County Office of the Coroner shows Nicolas Paul Grubb of Fort Washington, Pa. (Berks County Office of the Coroner via AP)

This undated photo provided by the Berks County Office of the Coroner shows Nicolas Paul Grubb of Fort Washington, Pa. (Berks County Office of the Coroner via AP)

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — California Gov. Gavin Newsom has asked Congress to approve nearly $40 billion in aid to help the Los Angeles area recover from January's devastating wildfires, which he said could become the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history.

Newsom sent a letter Friday asking for support from lawmakers including House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) and Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), the House Appropriations Committee chair.

“Los Angeles is one of the most economically productive places on the globe, but it can only rebound and flourish with support from the federal government as it recovers from this unprecedented disaster,” Newsom wrote.

Estimates of the total economic loss from the firestorm have been estimated to surpass $250 billion — with real estate losses from the Palisades and Eaton fires predicted to potentially top $30 billion, according to a Los Angeles Times analysis. More than 16,200 structures were destroyed as flames ripped through Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Pasadena and Altadena.

Newsom vowed that the funding would be used to rebuild homes, infrastructure, businesses, schools, churches and health care facilities, while supporting the needs of people affected by the devastation.

“Make no mistake, Los Angeles will use this money wisely,” Newsom wrote.

His largest request is for an additional $16.8 billion from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, mostly intended for the rebuilding of property and infrastructure, with $5 billion earmarked for debris cleanup.

Newsom also asked for $9.9 billion from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for grants to fire victims, homeowners, businesses and renters, as well as $5.29 billion from the Small Business Administration for homeowner and business loans.

Newsom thanked President Donald Trump for support for fast-tracking debris removal. The letter did not mention recent threats by the Trump administration that federal aid could come with strings attached.

“We are eternally grateful,” Newsom said.

Trump has been a frequent critic of Newsom and California's water policies. Ric Grenell, a Trump ally serving as his envoy for special missions, said Friday that “there will be conditions” to any federal aid for the state.

He said one of the possible conditions being discussed was defunding the California Coastal Commission, which regulates coastal development and protects public beach access. Trump has criticized the agency as overly restrictive, bureaucratic and a hindrance to timely rebuilding efforts.

A mural sits in front of a burned property on Woodbury Avenue a month after the Eaton Fire, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

A mural sits in front of a burned property on Woodbury Avenue a month after the Eaton Fire, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

An American flag is suspended from a charred bunny sculpture at the Bunny Museum, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in January, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

An American flag is suspended from a charred bunny sculpture at the Bunny Museum, which was destroyed by the Eaton Fire in January, Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Altadena, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

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