Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, the murder of Henryk Siwiak remains the only unsolved homicide from that day. Siwiak, a Polish immigrant working near the World Trade Center, was killed in Brooklyn hours after witnessing the first plane strike the North Tower at 8:46 a.m.
Siwiak had been working at a construction site in Lower Manhattan when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower. The site was evacuated, and Siwiak, concerned about providing for his wife and two children back in Poland, left to find new employment. He informed his wife he was seeking a job and intended to take the A train to Albany Avenue in Brooklyn.
However, a mix-up in addresses led Siwiak to exit the subway in the Bed-Stuy neighborhood, an area described as a hotbed of criminal activity at the time. He was reportedly lost, spoke limited English, and was wearing a camouflage jacket and army boots, attire that his family now believes may have contributed to his death.
Police believe Siwiak was confronted by a group of individuals near Decatur Street, an argument ensued, and shots were fired. While witnesses heard shouting, they were too afraid to look out their windows, and the scant physical evidence, including shell casings from a .40-caliber handgun, did not lead to a suspect.
Siwiak's murder was overshadowed by the immense tragedy of the terror attacks, and the NYPD's resources were stretched thin. The investigation quickly stalled, leaving loved ones and detectives with unanswered questions. Retired Lt. Commander Tom Joyce, who oversaw the NYPD's 79th Precinct at the time, suggested a botched robbery as a possible motive, but Siwiak was found with his wallet containing $75. His sister, Lucyna, has long theorized that he may have been mistaken for a terrorist due to his dark complexion, accent, and military-style clothing.
With the city focused on the 2,753 victims of the terror attacks, Siwiak's death became a grim anomaly. A $12,000 reward for information remains, and the NYPD has made efforts to solicit new leads, including a podcast episode released in 2021.
Joyce continues to advocate for the case to be reexamined, hoping that a witness who was too fearful to come forward 25 years ago will eventually speak. Lucyna Siwiak still mourns her brother annually at a ceremony at St. Patrick's Cathedral, standing with families of 9/11 victims, a quiet reminder of the unresolved tragedy.
