Three bones found on Nikumaroro Island a remote island in the South Pacific by a group that recovers historic aircraft might prove to be those of Amelia Erhart. The DNA from the bone fragments will be compared to samples donated by an anonymous member of Earhart’s family.
Researchers at the University of Oklahoma are hoping that DNA will prove the remains belong to the legendary pilot.
Ric Gillespie, director of the International Group for Historic Aircraft Recovery in Delaware said, “There’s no guarantee. You only have to say you have a bone that may be human and may be linked to Earhart and people get excited. But it is true that, if they can get DNA, and if they can match it to Amelia Earhart’s DNA, that’s pretty good.”
In a 2007 trip to Nikumaroro, personal items were found, as well as the remains of a campsite. ”Bird and fish remains around the island suggest a Westerner’s style of eating.”These fish weren’t eaten like Pacific Islanders” eat fish, Gillespie said.
Researcher have said that it will take months before they can speak with any certainty about their findings.
