Cold Cases
Follow the latest Cold Cases news, videos, and analysis from ABC News.
1 month ago

Former neighbor arrested for murder in 31-year-old cold case

Genetic genealogy led authorities to charge Dana Shepherd in the 1993 rape and murder of Carmen Van Huss in Indiana.
1 month ago
Genetic genealogy led authorities to charge Dana Shepherd in the 1993 rape and murder of Carmen Van Huss in Indiana.
1 month ago

Genetic genealogy leads to man's arrest in 1993 rape, murder of 19-year-old neighbor

A man has been arrested in the 1993 rape and murder of a 19-year-old in Indiana after he was linked to the case through genetic genealogy, authorities said.
1 month ago
An undated photo of Carmen Van Huss who was killed in Indianapolis in 1993 was released by the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.
1 month ago

Discarded cigarette helps solve murder after 44 years

DNA evidence from a discarded cigarette helped investigators solve the cold case murder of a 33-year-old, over 44 years after it was committed in Washington state.
1 month ago
Chief of Police Rafael Padilla speaks at a Kent Police Department press conference regarding the arrest of a suspect in a 1980 murder, Aug. 28, 2024, in Kent, Wash.
2 months ago

Cold-case hit-and-run murder solved 34 years later

Ruth Buchanan, 52, was killed when a driver ran a red light on Dec. 29, 1989.
2 months ago
Ruth Buchanan, 52, was killed when a driver ran a red light on Dec. 29, 1989.
2 months ago

Man charged 34 years after fatal hit-and-run

Ruth Buchanan was fatally struck when a driver ran a red light, police said.
2 months ago
Herbert Stanback in a police photo.
2 months ago

Texas nursing student's kidnapping, murder solved after 44 years: Police

Susan Leigh Wolfe, 25, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in 1980.
2 months ago
Susan Leigh Wolfe, 25, was found dead of a gunshot wound to the head in 1980.
2 months ago

Nursing student's kidnapping, murder solved after 44 years: Police

A warrant was issued for a 78-year-old man in connection with a murder committed 44 years ago after genetic genealogy helped investigators identify him as a suspect.
2 months ago
On August 14, 2024, based on the totality of the investigation thus far, the Austin Municipal Court found probable cause to issue an arrest warrant charging Deck Brewer Jr. with the murder of Susan Leigh Wolfe.
2 months ago

Cold case murder from 1986 linked to serial killer with 13 other victims

A 1986 cold case murder of a teen has been solved after a DNA match led investigators to a convicted serial killer on death row.
2 months ago
Los Angeles County Sheriff Robert Luna speaks during a press conference on a breakthrough in the 1986 death of Cathy Ann Small, Aug. 13, 2024.
2 months ago

1986 cold-case murder is linked to serial killer, authorities say

The 1986 slaying of a 19-year-old woman whose body was found dumped in South Pasadena has been linked to a serial killer who was convicted of murdering 12 women in Riverside County.
2 months ago
The 1986 slaying of a 19-year-old woman whose body was found dumped in South Pasadena has been linked to a serial killer who was convicted of murdering 12 women in Riverside County.
2 months ago

Mother charged with murder 37 years after newborn was found dead in a dumpster

Police recently reopened the unsolved case from 1987 and used DNA to identify the mother.
2 months ago
Police recently reopened the unsolved case from 1987 and used DNA to identify the mother.
2 months ago

Mother arrested 37 years after her newborn was found dead in dumpster: Police

A woman linked by DNA has been arrested for the murder of her newborn 37 years after the baby girl was found dead in a dumpster in California, authorities said.
2 months ago
Melissa Jean Allen Avila was arrested in connection with the death of her baby in 1987.
2 months ago

Suspect ID'd in teen's 1996 murder, he dies by suicide hours after being questioned

DNA has identified a suspect in the 1996 cold case murder of a 15-year-old girl in Montana.
2 months ago
An undated photo of 15-year-old Danielle “Danni” Houchins, who was killed on Sept. 21, 1996.
2 months ago

Montana cold case solved, suspect dies by suicide: Sheriff

The Gallatin County sheriff said authorities found a DNA match linking Paul Hutchinson to the 1996 murder of 15-year-old Danielle Houchins.
2 months ago
The Gallatin County sheriff said authorities found a DNA match linking Paul Hutchinson to the 1996 murder of 15-year-old Danielle Houchins.
2 months ago

Man charged in 1977 cold case murders of 3 young women: Authorities

Warren Luther Alexander, 73, is being held without bail after being charged in the slayings of three women who were strangled to death in 1977 in California, authorities said.
2 months ago
Warren Luther Alexander, 73, is being held without bail after being charged in the slayings of three women who were strangled to death in 1977 in California, authorities said.
2 months ago

Suspected serial killer charged in 1977 cold case murders of 3 young women

A man already in custody has been arrested in the murders of three young women who were strangled to death in 1977 in California, authorities said.
2 months ago
Warren Luther Alexander, 73, of Diamondhead, Mississippi, is charged with three counts of first-degree murder.
2 months ago

Suspect in cold case murder died by suicide days after submitting DNA: Officials

Albert Lauro Jr., 57, was identified as a suspect of the 1991 murder of a 23-year-old woman in Hawaii.
2 months ago
Albert Lauro Jr., 57, was identified as a suspect of the 1991 murder of a 23-year-old woman in Hawaii.
3 months ago

Man indicted in siblings' double murder from 1990 after he's linked via DNA

Thirty-four years after a brother and sister were murdered, a man has been indicted in the slayings when he was linked to the cold case via DNA.
3 months ago
Kenneth Perry, 55, of Loganville, Georgia, has been indicted on charges including malice murder, felony murder, and rape, prosecutors said.
3 months ago

Suspect arrested in double murder, rape cold case from 1990

A Georgia man has been indicted in the double stabbing deaths of a brother and sister in 1990 after he was linked to the cold case via DNA, prosecutors said.
3 months ago
Suspect arrested in double murder, rape cold case from 1990
4 months ago

Suspect identified in 1996 double murder at national park campsite

A convicted serial rapist has been identified as the suspect in the 1996 double murder of two women in a Virginia national park, federal authorities said.
4 months ago
A convicted serial rapist has been identified as the suspect in the 1996 double murder of two women in a Virginia national park, federal authorities said.
4 months ago

Suspect identified in women's 1996 double murder at national park campsite

A suspect has been identified in a double murder from May 1996 in Shenandoah National Park, Virginia.
4 months ago
Walter Leo Jackson Sr.
5 months ago

'Killer clown' victim's son reflects on 33-year fight for justice

After years of dead ends and long legal battles, Marlene Warren's son said he feels that he is at peace following the plea deal of the "killer clown" of Wellington.
5 months ago
Marlene Warren and her son Joe Ahrens seen in an undated family photo.
5 months ago

Suspect in 1989 rapes identified by genetic genealogy

Massachusetts authorities are searching for a newly identified suspect in two rapes from 1989.
5 months ago
A 1995 photo of Stephen Gale from the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
5 months ago

Suspect ID’d through genetic genealogy in 1989 rapes: DA

Stephen Paul Gale, 71, is wanted on four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery.
5 months ago
Stephen Paul Gale, 71, is wanted on four counts of aggravated rape, two counts of kidnapping and one count of armed robbery.
7 months ago

From cold cases to connected: Serial predator linked to 5 attacks

“20/20” explores the multi-decade investigation and conviction of William Lewis Reece, who was linked to multiple murders
7 months ago
The attacks of Laura Smither, Sandra Sapaugh, Kelli Cox, Tiffany Johnston and Jessica Cain in 1997 haunted their Texas and Oklahoma communities until the person responsible was finally brought to justice.
7 months ago

Man arrested in woman's 1986 cold case murder, linked to 2nd murder from 1989

A Virginia man has been arrested in connection with the cold case murder of a 32-year-old woman in 1986.
7 months ago
An undated photo of Jacqueline Lard, 32, who was killed on Nov. 14, 1986.
7 months ago

Police find remains believed to be 16-year-old girl who vanished in 2004

Florida authorities said they believe they've recovered the remains of a 16-year-old girl who mysteriously vanished nearly 20 years ago.
7 months ago
An undated photo of 16-year-old Autumn Lane McClure, who vanished in May 2004.
8 months ago

Arrest made in 2005 ‘Baby Skylar’ cold case

A woman has been arrested in the 18-year-old cold case of a newborn baby that was found dead at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
8 months ago
A woman has been arrested in the 18-year-old cold case of a newborn baby that was found dead at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
8 months ago

New age progression photo released on 20th anniversary of student's disappearance

A new age progression photo has been released of Massachusetts college student Maura Murray to try to prompt new leads on the 20th anniversary of her disappearance.
8 months ago
This photograph, released by the New Hampshire Department of Justice on Feb. 8, 2024, represents an FBI analysis and projection of what Maura Murray might look like in 2024.
9 months ago

Tupac murder suspect's jailhouse call audio comes out

On an audio recording of a phone call, suspect Duane Davis and his son can be heard discussing what prosecutors allege was a plot to harm their cooperating witnesses.
9 months ago
In this Nov. 7, 2023 file photo Duane Keith "Keffe D" Davis looks on as he appears in Clark County District Court in Las Vegas.
9 months ago

Dad, stepmom arrested nearly 35 years after murder of 5-year-old son

A father and stepmother have been arrested for the murder of their 5-year-old son who was found dead more than 30 years ago in South Carolina.
9 months ago
Victor Lee Turner and Megan Turner were arrested from a cold case dating back to 1989 of the murder of 5-year-old Justin Lee Turner.
9 months ago

Father, stepmother arrested for son’s 1989 murder

Victor Lee Turner and Megan Turner have been charged in the death of their 5-year-old son, Justin Turner.
9 months ago
Victor Lee Turner and Megan Turner have been charged in the death of their 5-year-old son, Justin Turner.
9 months ago

Officials ask for help identifying victim of 'Happy Face Killer'

More than three decades after she was murdered, police and prosecutors in Riverside, California, are hoping the public can help them identify the unknown victim.
9 months ago
The Riverside County DA has put together renderings of the woman produced by Parabon based on forensic genealogy.
10 months ago

Body discovered in Kentucky lake identified 24 years later as FBI fugitive

State police announced that after more than two decades of investigating they have positively identified the body that was found in Lake Barkley.
10 months ago
Kentucky State Police positively identified remains found nearly 25 years ago as Roger Dale Parham.

.
10 months ago

Teen likely killed by serial killer finally identified decades later

The suspected victim of a convicted serial killer on death row has been identified nearly 50 years after his body was found near a California trail, authorities said.
10 months ago
Michael Ray Schlicht is seen in this undated photo provided by the Orange County Sheriff's Department.
10 months ago

Suspected killer identified in college student’s murder 36 years later

Cathy Sposito, a 23-year-old college student, was brutally murdered while hiking on a trail in central Arizona and authorities have now identified her suspected killer.
10 months ago
The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office released this undated photo of Cathy Sposito.
1 year ago

The long quest for answers after Jacob Wetterling's abduction 34 years ago

Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped at gunpoint a half-mile from his St. Joseph home just after 9 p.m. on Oct. 22, 1989, and was never seen alive again.
1 year ago
Jacob Wetterling was kidnapped by a masked man while riding his bike on the evening of Oct. 22, 1989.
1 year ago

Arrest made in 1983 murder of woman beaten to death

A man has been arrested for the murder of a woman who was beaten to death in 1983 in Northern California.
1 year ago
An undated photo of Noelle Russo who was killed in June 1983.
1 year ago

Pennsylvania mummy known as 'Stoneman Willie' identified after 128 years of mystery

After more than a century of being kept at a Reading, Pennsylvania, funeral home, a corpse that was mummified has been identified, according to the funeral home.
1 year ago
The body of "Stoneman Willie", a jailed thief that died in a Pennsylvania prison in 1895 and was accidentally mummified by undertakers, lies on display at the local funeral home that has been his resting place for 128 years in Reading, Penn., Oct. 1, 2023.
1 year ago

Mummified man set to be buried after 128 years

The man, who died of kidney failure in a Reading, Pennsylvania, jail, was accidentally mummified by a mortician in 1895.
1 year ago
The man, who died of kidney failure in a Reading, Pennsylvania, jail, was accidentally mummified by a mortician in 1895.
1 year ago

Boyfriend of missing mother arrested in connection with her 2015 disappearance

The boyfriend of Crystal Rogers, a Kentucky mother of five who vanished in 2015, was arrested in connection with her disappearance, state and federal authorities said.
1 year ago
The booking photo for Brooks Houck.
1 year ago

Man charged in 2 cold case murders after DNA links him to scenes

A Kansas man has been charged in the cold case murders of two women from the 1990s, authorities said.
1 year ago
A booking photo of Gary Dion Davis, Sr. is shown.
1 year ago

Suspect arrested in 2 Kansas cold cases

Gary Davis has been charged in the deaths of two women dating back to 1996 and 1998.
1 year ago
Gary Davis has been charged in the deaths of two women dating back to 1996 and 1998.
1 year ago

New ‘20/20’ reports on case of missing Arizona teen, two decades later

A new “ABC 20/20" builds on original ABC News reporting from when Alissa Turney disappeared in 2001.
1 year ago
VIDEO: New ‘20/20’ reports on case of missing Arizona teen, two decades later
1 year ago

What happened to Alissa Turney, Arizona teen who disappeared in 2001?

Alissa Turney was believed to be another teen runaway. A killer's false confession led authorities to take a closer look.
1 year ago
Alissa Turney is shown in a photo released by the Phoenix Police Department from around the time she disappeared in 2001.
1 year ago

Man confesses to 1994 cold case murder: Police

Stephan Smerk was arrested in the 1994 stabbing death of Robin Lawrence in Springfield, Virginia.
1 year ago
Stephan Smerk was arrested in the 1994 stabbing death of Robin Lawrence in Springfield, Virginia.
1 year ago

Suspected killer identified in 1987 cold case murder of woman on hiking trail

On June 13, 1987, Cathy Sposito, a 23-year-old college student, was brutally murdered while hiking on a trail in central Arizona.
1 year ago
On June 13, 1987, Cathy Sposito, a 23-year-old college student, was brutally murdered while hiking on a trail in central Arizona.
1 year ago

Suspect charged in 1993 Florida cold case abduction and murder

Jennifer Odom, 12, disappeared after getting off a school bus on Feb. 19, 1993.
1 year ago
Jennifer Odom, 12, disappeared after getting off a school bus on Feb. 19, 1993.
1 year ago

Former reverend arrested for murder of 8-year-old girl nearly 50 years later

An 83-year-old former reverend has been arrested for allegedly killing an 8-year-old girl in 1975 while she was on her way to his Bible camp in Pennsylvania.
1 year ago
An undated photo of 8-year-old Gretchen Harrington who was killed on Aug. 15, 1975.
1 year ago

Cold case murder solved after 42 years through genetic genealogy, officials say

A four-decade-old cold case murder has been solved with the help of genetic genealogy technology, New Hampshire officials announced on Thursday.
1 year ago
A four-decade-old cold case murder has been solved with the help of genetic genealogy technology, New Hampshire officials announced on Thursday.
1 year ago

Cold case murder solved after 42 years through genetic genealogy, officials say

A four-decade-old cold case murder has been solved with the help of genetic genealogy technology, New Hampshire officials announced on Thursday.
1 year ago
An undated photo of Laura Kempton, provided by the New Hampshire Attorney General's office.