SAMUEL MAULL
Associated Press Writer
NEW YORK (AP) -- A widow is seeking the autopsy records of a firefighter who died in the World Trade Center attack and was mistakenly identified and buried as her husband.
Elise Guadalupe said in court papers that she wants her own experts to review the autopsy materials so she can be assured the victim is not her husband, Jose, who is listed as missing.
The city agreed Wednesday to save the materials, including tissue samples, records and photographs, until Jan. 16, when a ruling on her petition is expected.
The body was found two weeks after the Sept. 11 attack, and the medical examiner's office based the identification on fire department X-rays that showed a congenital neck abnormality.
Later DNA tests confirmed the body was that of another firefighter, Christopher Santora, who had the same abnormality and wore a similar gold chain. Both men worked for Engine Co. 54.
Guadalupe said she was told Sept. 27 that her husband's body had been recovered. The family held a funeral and burial Oct. 1.
After the medical examiner notified the families of the misidentification, Santora's body was disinterred and reburied by his family, who had attended the Guadalupe funeral.
Santora's father, retired firefighter Alexander Santora, said he had no objection to Guadalupe's petition. He said he was ``just thankful that they came forward and let us know (about the mistake).''
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