Three Identical Strangers: The Story of the Separated Triplets
In 1980, Robert Shafran arrived at Sullivan County Community College in upstate New York, expecting a typical freshman experience. Instead, he was met with a surreal series of encounters: students and staff constantly greeted him as if they knew him, insisting he was someone named Eddy Galland. This bizarre coincidence led to a discovery that would challenge everything the brothers knew about their identities and their origins.
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The Unexpected Reunion
That same evening, Robert and Eddy met for the first time. They quickly discovered that both had been adopted and concluded they were identical twins. However, the story did not end there. As the media began covering this remarkable human interest story, a third man, David Kellman, saw the reports. Recognizing a striking resemblance and matching adoption circumstances, it was revealed that the three men were actually identical triplets.
The brothers were stunned to find they shared more than just a face. They discovered they had identical tastes in food, smoked the same brand of cigarettes, and had both wrestled in high school. Even their childhoods mirrored one another, as all three had experienced separation anxiety as young children.
A Secret Psychological Experiment
The triplets' reunion sparked a quest for answers. They discovered that as children, each had been part of a study conducted by psychiatrists Peter B. Neubauer and Viola W. Bernard, under the Jewish Board of Guardians. This study involved periodic home visits and evaluations, though the true purpose was never disclosed to the adoptive parents.
While the Louise Wise adoption agency initially claimed the boys were separated because it was difficult to place triplets in a single home, further investigation revealed a more calculated motive. The infants had been intentionally separated and placed with families of varying socioeconomic backgrounds—one blue-collar, one middle-class, and one affluent—as a controlled experiment on human subjects to study the effects of environment on development.
During the investigation, the siblings questioned if they were chosen because of a family history of mental illness. While one researcher denied this, claiming the study focused solely on parenting, the lack of transparency remained a central point of contention.
The Aftermath and Legacy
The brothers initially celebrated their bond by moving in together and opening a restaurant called Triplets. However, the strain of running a business and the psychological weight of their discovery eventually took a toll. Differences emerged, and their relationships became strained.
All three brothers had struggled with mental health issues in their youth. Tragically, Eddy Galland, who had been diagnosed with manic depressive disorder (a condition characterized by alternating periods of mania and depression), died by suicide in 1995.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Subjects | Robert Shafran, Eddy Galland, and David Kellman |
| Study Leads | Peter B. Neubauer and Viola W. Bernard |
| Agency Involved | Louise Wise adoption agency |
| Experimental Variable | Socioeconomic status (Blue-collar, Middle-class, Affluent) |
| Record Status | Sealed until 2066 |
Key Facts
- The triplets were intentionally separated at birth to study the impact of different parenting styles and economic levels.
- The brothers shared uncanny similarities in habits, tastes, and athletic history.
- The study was conducted under the auspices of the Jewish Board of Guardians.
- Eddy Galland passed away in 1995 after struggling with manic depressive disorder.
- The full research records are sealed until the year 2066.
Frequently Asked Questions
How did the triplets find each other?
Robert Shafran was first mistaken for Eddy Galland at Sullivan County Community College. After they met and realized they were twins, media coverage of their story alerted David Kellman, who then contacted them.
What was the purpose of the separation experiment?
The infants were placed in families with different economic levels (blue-collar, middle-class, and affluent) to observe how different environments and parenting styles affected the development of identical triplets.
Who conducted the study?
The study was led by psychiatrists Peter B. Neubauer and Viola W. Bernard, operating under the Jewish Board of Guardians.
Are the results of the study available to the public?
No. The official records are sealed until 2066. While Robert Shafran and David Kellman were granted access to some files, the documents were heavily redacted and contained no formal conclusions.
What happened to the brothers' relationship over time?
Although they initially bonded and opened a restaurant together, the stress of the business and their individual mental health struggles eventually strained their relationships.