Alexander III’s shrine was opened last Tuesday for DNA study in probe into death of last Russian tsar’s family

The shrine of Emperor Alexander III of Russia was opened last Tuesday to take DNA-samples. These will be sent to Moscow to be studied and are a part of the criminal probe into the death of the last Russian Imperial family. The remains of Tsarevich Alexei and Grand Duchess Maria were found separate from the rest of the family and are currently being held in the State Archive of Moscow until DNA can be confirmed.

Just two weeks ago it was revealed that the shrine had a misaligned lid and was possibly opened before and that the remains of another emperor, Alexander I, were missing.

Alexander III ruled Russia between 1881 and 1894. He was married to Maria Feodorovna (born Dagmar of Denmark) and together they had six children.