These 10 cold cases sat unsolved for year — until now. See the stories
Breakthroughs in DNA technology continue to bring resolution to decades-old cases once considered unsolvable. Techniques like forensic genetic genealogy and improved DNA profiling have led to numerous arrests and identifications in cold cases. These stories include the unmasking of a 1976 murder suspect through genealogical databases and the recent confession in a 1997 case marked by a blood-scrawled message.
Take a look at the stories below.
NO. 1: MOM LEFT NEWBORN ON SIDE OF ROAD TO DIE 20 YEARS AGO, OFFICIALS SAY. NOW SHE’S CHARGED
DNA technology was used to lead investigators to the baby’s mother, a Texas resident, 23 years later. | Published July 1, 2024 | Read Full Story by James Hartley
NO. 2: 85-YEAR-OLD ARRESTED 33 YEARS AFTER WOMAN FOUND HUSBAND, MOM DEAD, CA COPS SAY
The man was a suspect from the outset, prosecutors said. | Published July 17, 2024 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 3: 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
NO. 4: DNA TECHNOLOGY IDENTIFIES NEW ORLEANS HOMICIDE VICTIM AS MS COAST NATIVE, POLICE SAY
New Orleans police and the FBI are asking for tips to find who is responsible for the murder of a Mississippi Coast mom. | Published October 3, 2024 | Read Full Story by Margaret Baker
NO. 5: SUSPECT IN 43-YEAR-OLD MURDER KILLED IN SHOOTOUT AS POLICE CLOSE IN, OHIO COPS SAY
“One individual continued to draw investigators’ attention but not enough evidence could ever be provided to sustain an indictment,” Ohio police said. | Published December 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by Kate Linderman
NO. 6: WOMAN WAS FOUND DEAD IN UTILITY CORRIDOR IN 1992, CA COPS SAY. NOW, THERE’S AN ARREST
The man “has been linked to three other sexual assault homicides,” police said. | Published January 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 7: MYSTERIOUS 1997 MURDER INVOLVING OMINOUS BLOODY MESSAGE NOW SOLVED, FLORIDA COPS SAY
The suspect lives within 10 miles of the crime scene, maps show. | Published February 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price
NO. 8: MAN CONFESSES TO KILLING WOMAN IN 1975, BUT HE WON’T BE CHARGED, MARYLAND POLICE SAY
She met the suspect at a bar, officials said. | Published March 13, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price
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NO. 9: SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN WOMAN’S 1976 COLD CASE KILLING, CA COPS SAY. ‘FINALLY OVER’
“While he was not held accountable for this tragic murder, we are proud to give the family of Karen Percifield this bit of closure,” deputies said. | Published April 4, 2025 | Read Full Story by Daniella Segura
NO. 10: SKELETON FOUND NEAR BOA STADIUM IN 1996 IDENTIFIED AS WOMAN WITH CRYPTIC PAST, CMPD SAYS
Police found no record of the victim being in North Carolina and are asking the public for help in the homicide case. | Published April 5, 2025 | Read Full Story by Mark Price Joe Marusak
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.