Medford genealogist featured on "Bloodline Detectives" for cracked cold case
South Jersey true crime fans have a chance to learn from one of their own hometown sleuths.
Eric Schubert, a 22-year-old Medford native, was featured on an episode of "Bloodline Detectives with Nancy Grace" on Saturday, Oct. 28 for his genealogy work that helped close a nearly 58-year-old cold case last year.
Schubert picked up his genealogy interest as a child and eventually started his own business, ES Genealogy, when he was in high school. Time off from college due to the pandemic, however, caused him to pivot and try something new: helping police departments crack cases.
He said that it was the same process as what he was used to, using genetics to help people find estranged relatives, except now the goal was to identify a criminal.
Forensic genealogy has been widely reported as a relatively new process to help match DNA with potential suspects and important relatives.
"Bloodline Detectives" features and explored cases that have used genealogy and other forensic technology.
The episode featured the Hazleton, Pennsylvania Marise Chiverella cold case, which, until last year, had been open since 1964.
Schubert worked with the investigators on the case to use genealogy in narrowing down the suspect, until a match was made.
He described the process as "a big game of hot and cold."
The genealogist said he's hoping that people who watch the episode may feel hopeful about the use of forensic genealogy to solve other cases and give closure to the victims' families.
Viewers can watch the episode on platforms like Prime Video, Peacock, The Roku Channel and fuboTV.
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This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: South Jersey genealogist featured on "Bloodline Detectives" show
