Mozart's relatives exhumed to verify DNA

SALZBURG, Austria, Oct. 26 (UPI) -- Scientists have exhumed the bodies of some relatives of composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart in Salzburg, Austria, to obtain DNA samples.

The DNA will be used to verify a skull currently held at Mozart's memorial foundation in Salzburg is indeed that of the classical composer, reported the BBC Tuesday.

The exhumed bodies from St. Sebastian's Cemetery in Salzburg are believed to be Mozart's father, Leopold; his maternal grandmother; and Jeanette, the 16-year-old daughter of his sister Nannerl.

"We need DNA samples from one of Mozart's female relatives in order to make a comparison with the skull at the Mozarteum," Christian Reiter, a professor of forensic medicine, told the BBC.

The location of Mozart's grave is unknown. He was buried in Vienna, but later the grave was re-used and his remains were dispersed, however, it's said a gravedigger rescued the skull.

The International Mozarteum Foundation received the skull in 1902.