A 14 year old boy's remains are found nearly a year after his disappearance
In the spring of 1991, a 14-year-old Black male named Edward “Mitt” Croley vanished from the streets of Albany, New York, sparking a mystery that would linger for decades. On the morning of March 24, 1991, after spending the night at his aunt’s house, Croley left for the Maywood School, a special education center in Colonie. He was last seen near the intersection of Northern Boulevard and Livingston Avenue but never made it to his destination. His family reported him missing, but their concerns were initially met with the suggestion that he might be a runaway.
For nearly a year, there was no sign of the energetic teenager who loved playing Pop Warner football. The search for answers took a grim turn on January 8, 1992, when woodcutters discovered his skeletal remains in a wooded area off State Route 144 in the town of Coeymans, about 13 miles from where he was last seen. A forensic examination revealed the tragic truth of his fate: he had suffered a severe skull fracture from blunt force trauma, and his death was ruled a homicide. He was found wearing the same clothes he had on when he disappeared: a blue hooded pullover sweatshirt, gray sweatpants, and a dark blue t-shirt celebrating the New York Giants' Super Bowl XXV victory.
The investigation into Edward Croley's murder has remained active over the years, yet no arrests have ever been made. State Police investigators have considered various theories, with one prominent belief being that his death may have been drug-related. This theory was influenced by the environment in his neighborhood at the time, which was known for drug activity, and the subsequent arrests of his mother and older sister on drug charges in the years following his death. Investigators have looked into potential suspects, including former professional boxer Jo-el Scott, who was scrutinized as a person of interest after his own conviction for a separate murder. However, Scott was never charged in connection with Croley's killing.
Despite the passage of time, law enforcement continues to seek information that could lead to a breakthrough in this cold case. The New York State Police have periodically renewed calls for public assistance, hoping that someone with knowledge of the events leading to the death of the slightly built, 5-foot-2-inch teenager will finally come forward. The case of Edward 'Mitt' Croley remains a painful, unsolved chapter in the history of the Capital Region, leaving his family and community still waiting for justice.
