Strangers to coworkers to friends to sisters?

Americans Julia Tinetti and Cassandra Madison were in their 20s when they met while working in the same bar. They quickly realised they had lots in common - both had been adopted as babies, both grew up in Connecticut, both had tattoos of the Dominican Republic flag, and they even looked alike. Their physical resemblance and connection was so strong that coworkers and customers joked they must be related. Julia and Cassandra embraced the idea, even referring to themselves as sisters. They went so far as to compare adoption papers – but when the details didn’t match, the whole matter was put to bed. Years later, when Cassandra received a genetic test as a Christmas gift, she ended up finding her birth family. In the process, long-held secrets emerged and revelations which pointed back, unexpectedly, to Julia.

Presenter: Asya Fouks

Producer: Emily Naylor

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(Photo: Cassandra Madison (L) and Julia Tinetti (R) at an airport. Cassandra has long brown hair in braids, Julia's hair is short and a darker shade of brown. Credit: Julia Tinetti)