Paul Martin

On September 11, 2001, Karen Ann Martin, the head flight attendant of American Airlines Flight 11, perished when her plane collided with the World Trade Center's North Tower. But it wasn't until this year that the New York City medical examiner identified some of her remains. Karen's younger brother, Paul, spoke with Julie Scelfo.

When were you told Karen's remains had been identified?

In October. They contacted my older brother. He was kind of shocked. We, all of us [Karen had three siblings], never thought we'd have any remains for her. We had a memorial when it first happened. Then we had a funeral in October 2001, when we buried an urn with rubble from Ground Zero.

Was it difficult not having a single official burial?

It was always like something was missing. Some people in my family never got to mourn her death.

Did the medical examiner give you any details?