DNA evidence brings peace & inmates escape — Today in Triangle history
A daily look at some of The News & Observer headlines on this date in past years.
On this day in 2006, the Defense Department uses DNA to identify the nine-member crew of a B-24 lost in Papua New Guinea during World War II, including William Hafner of Raleigh.
That discovery ended a 63-year mystery for his wife, Iris, in Raleigh, who never knew what became of anyone aboard that plane.
“It’s all I could ask for,” she said, “except for him to come back alive.”
Other notable July 17s in the pages of history:
1993: A difficult rescue
A 30-year-old Durham woman spent hours trapped in her car after crashing on Blackwell Street and flipping over.
She could not be freed until firefighters sawed off the entire roof.
1969: Prison break
Nineteen inmates escaped from a prison in McDowell County after three accomplices broke in to free one of them and the rest followed, overpowering a pair of guards and climbing an 8-foot fence topped with barbed wire.
And 100 years ago today …
In 1926, a Columbus County man died in the middle of a particularly vigorous church service when he called on the Lord to take him — and the Lord obliged.
Norman Sellers rose to his feet inside Spring Branch Holiness Church, made “two vehement outbursts” near the end of the service and then crumpled to the floor, dead.
“His often-expressed desire to die while shouting was gratified,” The N&O wrote.
What headlines should we look up on upcoming dates? Send your ideas to metroeds@newsobserver.com.
This story was originally published July 17, 2026 at 5:30 AM with the headline "DNA evidence brings peace & inmates escape — Today in Triangle history."