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These six cold cases sat unsolved for decades — until now. See the stories

Stories by Real-Time News journalists, with AI summarization

A cigarette butt inside a car led Florida cops to his killer decades later. In Missouri, Captain Terry Horner’s interviews brought an arrest in Peggy Horseman’s 1985 shooting. A deathbed confession in West Virginia unraveled the disappearance of Susan and Natasha Carter after 24 years.

Take a look at the stories below.

Robert Hecht’s new Lincoln was found in Lenoir, North Carolina, more than a 700-mile drive from the Florida home where he was found dead, authorities said. Photo from the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office

NO. 1: CIGARETTE BUTT IN DEAD MAN’S CAR LEADS TO ACCUSED KILLER 35 YEARS LATER, FLORIDA COPS SAY

The man’s new car was found in Lenoir, North Carolina, more than a 700-mile drive from his Florida home, authorities said. | Published April 23, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd

The suspected remains of a missing mother and her daughter were found the same day their accused killer died, West Virginia State Police said. Getty Images/iStockphoto

NO. 2: DEATHBED CONFESSION LEADS TO BODIES OF MOM AND DAUGHTER MISSING FOR 24 YEARS, COPS SAY

The West Virginia man suffered “a medical episode” and died at a hospital, police said. | Published April 24, 2024 | Read Full Story by Tanasia Kenney

Forty years after a hunter found remains in a remote area of Nevada, they’ve been identified, officials say. Photo from Washoe County Regional Medical Examiner’s Office

NO. 3: REMAINS FOUND BY HUNTER IN REMOTE AREA OF NEVADA ID’D 40 YEARS LATER, OFFICIALS SAY

“A Holiday Hotel/Casino Keno ticket stamped with the date 05/04/1982, ... and four pennies with a date of 1980” were found near the remains in Nevada. | Published May 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura

A 61-year-old man was charged with murder nearly four decades after the killing, authorities said. Getty Images/iStock photo

NO. 4: STORE CLERK, 27, SHOT DEAD WITH SHOTGUN, MISSOURI COPS SAY. ARREST MADE 39 YEARS LATER

The woman was discovered partially in the beverage cooler after being shot in the back of the head, authorities said of the 1985 killing. | Published July 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Mike Stunson

Remains found near Daytona Beach in 1980 have been identified as those of Pamela Wittman, who died at the hands of an accused serial killer, Florida authorities said. Getty images/iStock photo

NO. 5: 25-YEAR-OLD VICTIM OF ACCUSED SERIAL KILLER IDENTIFIED 44 YEARS LATER, FLORIDA COPS SAY

He confessed to 41 deaths, officials said. | Published October 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Olivia Lloyd

A man is suspected of killing a 51-year-old man in 1981, Indiana police said. Getty Images/iStockphoto

NO. 6: DISCARDED CIGARETTE LEADS TO MAN’S ARREST IN 1981 COLD CASE KILLING, INDIANA COPS SAY

The man living in Oregon is suspected of killing a 51-year-old man over 40 years ago, police said. | Published November 15, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.