Remains of New Jersey man killed in 9/11 attacks identified

MONTCLAIR  — The remains of a 26-year-old securities analyst who worked at the World Trade Center on 9/11 have been identified nearly 17 years after the attacks.

The New York City medical examiners' office on Wednesday identified the victim as Scott Michael Johnson, an employee at the investment banking company Keefe, Bruyette & Woods.

He's the 1,642nd victim to be positively identified in the terror attacks in which 2,753 people were killed by hijackers who crashed airplanes into the trade center's twin towers on Sept. 11, 2001.

"In 2001, we made a commitment to the families of victims that we would do whatever it takes, for as long as it takes, to identify their loved ones," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Barbara Sampson said. "This identification is the result of tireless dedication of our staff to this ongoing mission."

A fund was established at the Montclair Kimberly Academy where Johnson was a student, according to NJ.com. Money from the fund was tagged to be given to "a senior who 'in the same spirit as Scott, best demonstrated a spirit of warmth, generosity and goodwill toward others,'" NJ.com reported.

The medical examiner says he was identified through improved DNA re-testing of remains originally recovered in 2001. It's the first new identification made since last August.

So far, about 40 percent of those who died have yet to have any remains identified.

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