After nearly five decades, the mystery of the “Pinnacle Man” has been solved. Frozen human remains found on the Appalachian Trail in 1977 have finally been identified as Nicholas Paul Grubb, a Montgomery County man who tragically died from a drug overdose. The breakthrough in this cold case came from an old fingerprint card recovered by investigators, leading to the long-awaited identification of Grubb.
Grubb’s body was discovered by hikers at the Pinnacle in Albany Township during a harsh winter where temperatures averaged in the single digits. An autopsy revealed that Grubb had overdosed on barbiturate drugs and his death was ruled a suicide. Despite extensive efforts using DNA and other forensic methods over the years, it was the discovery of the original fingerprint card that finally provided a positive match for Grubb.
Described as a white male between 25 and 35 years old with distinct facial features, Grubb was found wearing Wrangler blue jeans, a buckskin jacket, and hiking boots, indicating he was prepared for the unforgiving elements of the Appalachian Trail. His identity remained a mystery for almost five decades until the recent breakthrough with the fingerprint technology.
With the positive identification, investigators are now delving into Grubb’s past to unravel the events leading up to his death. They have connected with his family and discovered that he served in the Pennsylvania National Guard in the early 1970s. The coroner’s office plans to return Grubb’s remains to his family for a proper burial, putting an end to the decades-long mystery of the “Pinnacle Man.”
While the cause of Grubb’s death has been determined, the investigation into how the drugs ended up in his system continues. Authorities are committed to finding closure in this case, keeping it open until all questions surrounding Grubb’s tragic fate on the Appalachian Trail are answered.