Public Help Requested: Attempting to Identify 7 Post-War Freedom Fighters' Remains
Authorities are seeking public assistance to identify the remains of seven freedom fighters exhumed from a cemetery in Jūžintai, Lithuania.
In the summer of 2025, the remains of twelve murdered partisans and messengers were excavated from mass graves at the edge of the Jūžintai cemetery in the Rokiškis district of Lithuania. Currently, there is a pressing need for public help to determine the identities of seven individuals, as five identities have already been established. Families or anyone with information about the listed individuals are strongly encouraged to come forward, as DNA samples from relatives could greatly assist in confirming the identities of the freedom fighters found in Jūžintai.
Authorities have emphasized that the process of taking saliva samples from relatives to help identify the remains will incur no costs for families, and they are willing to travel to collect samples directly. The goal is to honor and memorialize these freedom fighters appropriately, ensuring they receive the recognition they deserve in Lithuanian history. The call for assistance is an important part of ensuring that the stories of these individuals are acknowledged and remembered.
The search seeks information specifically about the individuals Adomonis Aloyzas, Balaišis Antanas, Berželis Janis, Danilevičienė Marijona, and Dičius Vytautas. Each of these individuals played a significant role in the fight for freedom during and after World War II, and identifying them is key not only for historical documentation but also for providing closure to their families. Overall, this initiative illustrates the ongoing effort in Lithuania to honor its freedom fighters and recognize their sacrifices during a tumultuous period in the nation's history.