A casual DNA test shared on TikTok has astonishingly cracked a 27-year-old murder case, leading to the arrest of a Michigan woman for the death of her newborn in 1997.
In a viral video, Jenna Rose Gerwatowski detailed how her genetic testing inadvertently identified her grandmother as the suspect in an unsolved crime, New York Post reported.
Back in 1997, the small community of Naubinway, Michigan was shaken by the tragic discovery of a newborn, later dubbed Baby Garnet, found deceased in an outhouse at Garnet Lake Campground. This cold case puzzled authorities for nearly three decades, remaining unresolved until a breakthrough came unexpectedly through modern technology.
Jenna Rose Gerwatowski, inspired by countless social media posts, decided to take an Ancestry DNA test, describing the decision as "dope." Little did she know, this simple test would unravel a family secret buried for years. After uploading her results, her life took a dramatic turn when she was contacted by an investigator from the Michigan State Police.
The call from the detective proved to be a pivotal moment for Jenna. She recalls her shock upon learning her DNA was a crucial match in a longstanding investigation. "I was like, 'Excuse me? What the f--k did I do?' So I start freaking out," recounted Jenna. The detective explained that her genetic profile directly matched the victim of the Baby Garnet case.
Further tests confirmed that Jenna's biological mother was directly related to the baby. This new evidence led authorities straight to Jenna’s grandmother, Nancy Gerwatowski, a 61-year-old woman Jenna had never met before her arrest. Nancy, following her apprehension, confessed to being the infant's mother. She disclosed to law enforcement that Baby Garnet died from asphyxiation at home before she placed the body in the campground outhouse.
After her confession, Nancy Gerwatowski faced multiple charges in 2022, including murder, involuntary manslaughter, and concealing a death. These developments occurred years after the crime, with Nancy released on bond in October 2023 under GPS monitoring and home confinement.
Jenna's TikTok revelation impacted both her family and global communities. The video, detailing her role in resolving the case, garnered over 1.3 million views, highlighting the profound effects of genetic testing on individuals and law enforcement.
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel acknowledged the significance of such technological advancements. “This is a testament to the persistence of law enforcement and the power of science,” she remarked. Her office praised the diligent work of investigators who utilized available resources to bring closure to a case that lingered in uncertainty for years. “We are finally able to pursue justice for Baby Garnet, thanks to the tireless work of investigators and the technological progress that has made this possible,” Nessel added.
These events have sparked discussions about the ethics and unexpected consequences of consumer DNA testing, which has gained increasing popularity. Jenna's story serves as a cautionary tale about the unforeseen impacts such tests can have, extending far beyond the family history discoveries most users expect. Instead, Jenna and her family unearthed a long-hidden truth that changed their lives forever.
