NEW YORK, NY – A 75-year-old man has pleaded guilty to killing a World War I veteran who has been reported as a missing person since 1976. At the time of his death and disappearance, George Clarence Seitz was 81 years old.
Martin Motta, 75, has pleaded guilty to manslaughter and is now facing 20 years in prison for the gruesome murder and dismemberment of Seitz as part of a plea bargain.
On March 12, 2019, investigators located human remains consisting of a pelvis and partial torso were discovered buried under concrete in the backyard of 87-72 115th Street, Richmond Hill, Queens. The body had been dismembered at the neck, shoulders, and hips.
“This long-cold case marks the first successful application in New York City of forensic genetic genealogy. No matter how much time has passed, we will use every tool at our disposal to achieve justice,” Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz. “It is precisely for cases such as this one that I created the Cold Case Unit when I became Queens District Attorney. For the gruesome murder of a World War I veteran, the defendant eluded arrest for more than 46 years. Now he is headed to prison thanks to the collaboration between the NYPD and our Cold Case Unit.”
Some who knew Motta said he began exhibiting strange behavior after learning the police were re-opening the investigation into Seitz’s death. He reportedly slept inside a barber shop where he continued to work.
Police were tipped off in March 2019 after a woman reported seeing plastic bags in the backyard of a home on 115th Street near Jamaica Avenue. The woman was a child at the time she saw the bags.
Investigators were able to use those remains to extract DNA evidence to identify the body and an extensive investigation to link Motta to the murder.
Motta targeted Seitz, knowing he was carrying a large amount of cash.
“Through these combined efforts, investigators were able to confirm that the remains found were those of George Clarence Seitz, a veteran of World War I. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Seitz, then 81-years-old, went missing at approximately 10 a.m. on December 10, 1976,” Katz said. “He was last seen leaving his home in Jamaica, reportedly on his way to get a haircut. After an extensive investigation, information was obtained that identified the victim as a regular customer of the defendant at the barbershop and linked Motta to the crime.”
Police were able to piece together the events of that day.
According to investigators, Motta stabbed Seitz in the head and robbed him of $7,000.
The investigation spanned multiple states and agencies.