“DNA Finally Reveals Tragic Identity of Girl in Crystal Coffin”

In 2016, during a routine construction project in San Francisco, workers unearthed a glass coffin beneath a home on Rossi Street.

Inside lay the remarkably preserved body of a young girl, estimated to be between two and four years old at the time of death.

The child, dressed in a white lace dress with a cross made of flowers on her chest, was initially dubbed “Miranda Eve” by the public.

Her discovery sparked widespread curiosity and speculation about her identity and the circumstances surrounding her burial.

For over a year, researchers and genealogists worked tirelessly to uncover the girl’s identity.

Their efforts culminated in 2017 when DNA analysis confirmed that she was Edith Howard Cook, born in San Francisco on November 28, 1873.

Edith was the eldest daughter of Horatio Nelson Cook, a prominent leather manufacturer, and Edith Scooffy, who served as the Greek consul in San Francisco.

She died on October 13, 1876, at the age of two, from marasmus—a severe form of malnutrition.

This condition was likely exacerbated by a viral infection, leading to her untimely death.

The revelation of Edith’s identity provided a poignant glimpse into the challenges faced by children in late 19th-century San Francisco.

Her family’s prominence contrasted sharply with the harsh realities of childhood mortality during that era.

The preservation of her body, likely through embalming techniques of the time, and her dignified burial in a glass coffin, reflected the family’s desire to honor their daughter and preserve her memory.

Following the identification, Edith’s remains were reburied in Colma, California, in a ceremony organized by the Garden of Innocence, an organization dedicated to providing dignified burials for abandoned and unidentified children.

The reburial allowed the community to pay their respects and acknowledge the life of a child who had been lost to history but was now remembered.

The story of Edith Howard Cook serves as a reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring impact of scientific inquiry.

Through the application of modern DNA analysis and genealogical research, a century-old mystery was solved, bringing closure to a family and shedding light on the past.

While the circumstances of Edith’s death were tragic, her story underscores the importance of preserving history and honoring those who came before us.

In the end, the mystery of the girl in the crystal coffin was not just about uncovering an identity but about recognizing the humanity of a child who, despite her brief life, left an indelible mark on history.

Her story continues to resonate, reminding us of the power of memory and the significance of every life, no matter how short.