Annette Vega, a daughter on a quest to find her biological father, shares her emotional journey to uncover her roots. David Sachs, husband of Noah Krzyzewski, reflects on the heartfelt decision regarding Noah's burial on Heart Island. The conversation dives into the significance of unmarked graves, highlighting the poignant stories of those forgotten. Themes of identity, loss, and the unexpected connections forged in grief resonate throughout, offering a deep exploration of love and legacy in the face of solitude.
Heart Island serves as a poignant reminder of societal neglect, burying over a million unclaimed lives behind personal stories of significance.
Noah Krzyzewski's choice of collective burial reflects a unique perspective on death that emphasizes humility and the continuation of existence in nature.
Deep dives
Exploring Heart Island's Unmarked Graves
Heart Island serves as a burial site for over a million individuals, primarily those whose families could not afford burial costs or who were unclaimed. The project delves into the lives of those buried there, highlighting personal stories that reflect a broader societal issue of forgotten individuals. Each narrative uncovers the circumstances that led to their final resting place and the lives they lived, ultimately emphasizing the importance of acknowledging these unnoticed lives. The series aims to shed light on the humanity behind the statistics, illustrating how these individuals fell through societal cracks and were ultimately forgotten.
The Life and Legacy of Noah Krzyzewski
Noah Krzyzewski, a composer of experimental electronic music, chose to be buried on Heart Island, viewing the decision as a meaningful expression of humility and equality. His partner, David Sachs, shared that Noah believed in rejecting traditional symbols of death, like gravestones, which he found vulgar. Instead, Noah found comfort in the anonymity of a collective burial, feeling that his spirit could exist in nature rather than in a memorial. This choice reflects a profound connection to life, as David revealed that Noah viewed death not as an end but as a continuation of existence in another form.
The Enigma of Hisako Hasegawa
Hisako Hasegawa lived a quiet and private life in the Belvedere Hotel, yet her passing left a significant impact on the staff and residents who remembered her warm greetings and kind gestures. Despite her vibrant presence, little is known about her background, leaving questions about her life unanswered. After her death, she was buried on Heart Island, highlighting the anonymity many experience after they pass. Her story exemplifies the reality of countless individuals who exist on the fringes of society, known by their neighbors yet ultimately forgotten.
Neil Harris Jr.'s Dual Existence
Neil Harris Jr. led two distinct lives; one as a beloved figure in Riverside Park, known as Steven, and another as a man suffering from mental illness, lost to his family. His mother, Susan, struggled for years to locate him after he disappeared, only to discover that he had died homeless and was buried on Heart Island. The community response to Neil's death reflected the deep connections he built with park-goers, who mourned the loss of their silent yet comforting presence. This narrative underscores the tragic impact of mental health issues and the societal neglect faced by individuals like Neil, leaving families with unresolved grief.
We bring you a lot of stories each year, but we don’t often get to share the work behind them. We recently held an event at WNYC’s The Greene Space in New York City, where our subjects and producers reflected on the challenges, and joys, of telling these untold stories. For the last podcast of the year, we’re bringing you that live show: a behind the scenes look at The Unmarked Graveyard.
We want to bring you as many stories next year as we did this year — and we can’t do that without your help! Please consider making a contribution to support our work by going to radiodiaries.org.