Man Shot In Head, Buried Identified Nearly 50 Years Later In NJ

QUINTON TOWNSHIP, NJ — A man who was shot in the head and buried in the woods nearly 50 years ago has been identified, New Jersey State Police said.

On June 2, 1979, the body of a white man was found in a shallow grave off a dirt road in the woods near Jericho Road. He had been shot in the head and was estimated to have died during the winter of 1978-1979.

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The man was wearing white painter's pants, black Pro-Keds sneakers, a plaid cotton shirt, a heavy black-and-white pullover sweater, and a dark-blue, waist-length Lee wool jacket with a gold-plated initial "R" on the right pocket flap.

The jacket also had a gold-plated cross on the left pocket flap.

In March 2023, the State Police reopened the case and used genetic genealogy in partnership with Ramapo College of New Jersey.

Through this work, the man was identified as Robert Dean Irelan, of Pleasantville.

He was also known to frequent Atlantic City, authorities added.

Anyone with information or who knew Robert is asked to contact ColdCase@njsp.gov.

According to State Police, information can also remain anonymous.

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