Family of 9/11 victim speak out after remains are finally identified 24 years later

The family of one of the three victims of 9/11 who've recently been identified has now spoken out.

On 11 September 2001, two planes were hijacked by al-Qaeda, before being deliberately crashed into the two World Trade Centre Twin Tower buildings in New York, with a third hijacked plane striking the Pentagon's headquarters.

Only a fourth plane didn't reach its intended destination, which was believed to be Washington's Capitol Building, as passengers fought back against the terrorists, crashing the aircraft in a field in Pennsylvania.

This horrific event claimed the lives of over 2,700 people, and the memory of that day is still clear, despite how many years have passed since.

Over 1,600 victims of the terrorist attack have been identified; however, 1,100 remain unknown. But three victims were identified in August, with Ryan Fitzgerald and Barbara Keating being the only two to have had their names released, while the third was confirmed to be an adult woman, but her name was withheld as per her family's wishes.

The September 11 terrorist attacks devastated the world (Robert Giroux/Getty Images)

On the morning of 11 September, Keating took her seat on American Airlines Flight 11 to Los Angeles from Boston's Logan International Airport.

Her youngest son, Paul Keating, who'd also left with his mother that morning to meet with a client in Connecticut, said that when the plane crashed into the World Trade Center, he had 'no idea that it was his mother's plane'.

In the aftermath, he attended two memorial services, one a week later, and a second service in Palm Springs, all amidst the intense media attention.

“I don’t remember any of the interviews we did, or questions we were asked,” he told CNN. “I don’t remember any of it.”

His mother's body was never formally identified following the attacks; however, a few discoveries were made, which Keating said helped give him a sense of closure.

An ATM card belonging to Barbara was discovered several years after 9/11, and three years ago, the New York City Office of the Chief Medical Examiner contacted his family after finding a hairbrush that they believed belonged to his mother.

From there, they were able to determine a positive match.

Barbara Keating was one of those who'd died in the 9/11 attacks (Family Handouts)

And this year, they were able to confirm Barbara's identity through DNA analysis, with Paul saying her identification 'does actually bring it to conclusion'.

He praised the medical examiner's office for their dedication in identifying those who'd lost their lives, adding: “That’s when it really hit home: These people have been doing this for that long, at that level of effort.

“It was personal to them, and they felt like they were on a mission for us."

In a statement following the three identifications, Chief Medical Examiner Dr Jason Graham said: “Nearly 25 years after the disaster at the World Trade Centre, our commitment to identify the missing and return them to their loved ones stands as strong as ever.

“Each new identification testifies to the promise of science and sustained outreach to families despite the passage of time. We continue this work as our way of honouring the lost.”

Keating adds that he hopes other families who've yet to have relatives missing will one day receive the closure they need.

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