The Houston Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit was formed in 2004. From 1998 to 2004, John served as the Houston Police Departments chief of staff overseeing operations within the Office of the Chief of Police. Homicide . When the Texas Attorney Generals Office stood up a statewide cold case unit two years ago, officials surveyed hundreds of the states law enforcement agencies. Matt DeGrood is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle. 1 of 6. Forensic evidence obtained from Degan was entered into CODIS and a high probability match was found to evidence in the 1984 case. . But several family members of Cardenas also placed him near the scene of the crime in interviews with investigators, Rodriguez said. Search: "houston police department" Logo PNG Vector houston police department logo png icon vector. Houston has more than 6,000 unsolved cases. Now theres not enough hours in a day.. and preservation of crime scene evidence on all homicide scenes. Countryman and Rodriguez head up the HPD cold case department, working with four other detectives. In September 2020, HPD Cold Case Unit, the Harris County District Attorney's Fugitive Apprehension Section and the United States Marshals Service initiated new efforts to extradite Davalos back . At the morgue, medical examiners couldnt find any obvious signs of foul play. Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. No one claimed the body. City. Over the past 38 years, Joe has amassed an extensive background in conducting and supervising many types of major case investigations. She was always disappearing.. These include crimes involving deadly conduct, harassment, and terroristic Weeks later, they told him theyd found a possible brother, living in Nebraska, and a woman who might be a sister. Sergeant Moran was a participant on an NIJ Saturday . Some files have overflowing paperwork, photos, and witness statements. The ruling came during the civil case filed by the family of Pecan Park residents Dennis . "So, it wasn't something that was necessarily focused on or even really discussed in public.". the investigation of missing persons where criminal activity is suspected. Jims extensive background and success in homicide investigations earned him the nickname Mr. An elite group of retired peace officers with extensive experience in homicide investigations who volunteer their time to assist the Unit with case reviews, Recent court decisions and relevant statutes in the area of cold case investigations and prosecutions, Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion. Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion, Retired Homicide Investigators Task Force. In a city with 5,695 unsolved homicides on the books dating to 1960, Houston police have assembled a team of five experienced detectives to form a cold case squad to deal with the daunting backlog. AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) The Texas Attorney General's Office Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit has identified a woman who went missing for over four decades . Other units within the Homicide Division include: Hartford Area Tip Line 860-548-0606. They also assist in performing tactical crime analysis and Joe began his career with the Houston Police Department where, as a lieutenant, he served in several major units including the Vice Division, Homicide Division, Criminal Intelligence Division, and the Chiefs Command. complainant is expected to survive along with all other non-family or non-sexual assault They hope to have 15 to 35. The squad has reviewed all cases from 2000 to 2003 for untested evidence and is now working backward and examining files from the 1990s and the 1980s, when DNA testing was not as widely used. She was always hitchhiking. Peggys life took a much different tack: She was sweet and kind, Kennedy recalled. He has attended three Advanced Forensic Training courses at the National Computer Forensic Institute and has examined thousands of digital devices throughout his career. Investigators in the Houston Police Homicide Division Cold Case Unit have solved a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women. shootings, and questionable death incidents where foul play is suspected, in addition to "That's a very heavy load for a very small unit," Countryman says. A picture of Peggy Anne Dodd, right, sits on a table at her niece Jenny Estes home on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Damon. About why it took so long to connect the dots. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Police's Cold Case unit has 170 open cases, according to APD Sgt. Tucked inside the Pittsburgh Police Bureau is a team solely focused on one thing: solving cold cases. Stays in private psychiatric facilities. January 16, 2015 - Investigators in the Houston Police Homicide Division Cold Case Unit have solved a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women. He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. Dodd had died just shy of her 29th birthday. She was a blessing, for a long time, Kennedy said. Cases go cold for numerous reasons, but the fact remains that once a case is deemed "cold," hope diminishes. I was so upset, Kennedy said. Chicano Squad Paul Motard are charged with solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders. In lieu of any statewide policies to address the issue, civilian investigators have picked up the slack, poring through NaMus, identifying possible matches and teaming up with true crime podcasts or other commercial entities to flag possible cases for departments to re-examine. During this period, John spent seven years as a detective sergeant and later as a lieutenant where he was fortunate to learn from some of the premier investigators who were assigned to the Houston Police Departments Homicide Division. Investigators say the prison guard was months away from retirement before she was . In 1991, the city of Houston recorded 701 homicides, in addition to over 12,000 aggravated assaults. He called a man who could be the victims brother, with a question: had a relative of his gone missing? Fourteen years after her daughter Norma was killed, Eulalia Torres received some closure when HPD cold case detectives came by with news they had arrested a suspect. In this case, detectives were also aided by the fact that Cardenas' DNA was already on file because of a conviction for a 2014 charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, Rodriguez said. There hadnt been much left; a skull and some other bones scattered beneath the pecan tree, along with the clothing and gym bags. Customer Service Promise. MORE FROM THIS INVESTIGATION:A chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing persons, but compliance is spotty. For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. "But we do the best we can.". 550 West Jackson Street. Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says, Houston's years of work to host Final Four down to 1-month countdown. Again, the victim must be a Black man, murdered in the seventies, but in these cases, DNA from the unknown killer has to have been found on the body or on evidence. He turned the profile over to a genetic genealogist who uploaded the profile to a family tree website and began looking for possible relatives. Police found Alvarez inside the office at her familys auto repair shop in the 4200 block of B Street with multiple stab wounds, officials said. Cold Case Unit at the Office of the Chief State's Attorney at 860-258-5800, or. Then in 2020, Fort Bend County Sheriffs Detective Scott Minyard began rummaging through the departments cold case backlog. The Cold Case Unit's motto " We Will Never Forget" is a daily reminder to pursue justice for victims and their families long thought forgotten. Cold Case Unit. "We never shelve a case," Lieutenant Melissa Countryman says. Due to advances in forensic testing, DNA that was previously not able to be processed was now tested and Beller was identified as the suspect in this case. Mission and Goals, Statements of Support, Law Enforcement Survey Results, Experts in the area of cold case investigations, genealogy, and forensic science who guide and assist the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, Helpful tools for law enforcement agencies including articles, grant opportunities, and other relevant information, Information on available trainings in the area of cold case investigations. We've resubmitted the evidence we tested back then, and the results are pending, but it looks more promising.". Family Violence MORE NEWS: Man dead after shooting at apartment complex in north Harris County. During his tenure at the Austin Police Department, J.J. was assigned as a Detective in the Homicide Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. What a state takeover of HISD could mean for parents, students, Houston ISD to face TEA state takeover, Turner says, In Fertitta's members-only club, where photos, media are banned, Study: Low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack, stroke risk, 750-home agrihood with farm, car-free zones breaks ground, Popular breakfast taco spot in Houston announces a comeback, HCC chancellor to leave role at end of contract, Opinion: 'Dilbert' readers can discern the wheat from the chaff, Man dead after shooting at apartment complex in north Harris County, Final Four March Madness Music Festival 2023 lineup released, McCombs service draws luminaries, regular folks to pay respects, 2023 Houston rodeo parade: Route, map and more for season kickoff, Watch a Clydesdale collapse during mishap at Texas rodeo, 2023 Houston rodeo: Parking map, where to park and more. I never lost confidence they would leave it without a resolution.". When police began to embrace DNA technology in the early 2000s, many departments created cold-case units to test the mountains of old evidence in their property storage rooms. Project: Cold Case is a one-of-a-kind organization that was born out of the desire to serve families that have lost loved ones to unsolved homicides. Over the coming months, HPD and ABC13 will work together, profiling some of these cases being reopened with grant money. Marise Ann Chiverella was killed . Mike Peters agreed, noting that it's rare for killers to be overcome by remorse and turn themselves in. Were it not for Minyard, the case might well have been overlooked. Cold Cases Database. The OAG does not maintain state-wide data pertaining to cold cases, a records officer wrote, in response to the Chronicles request. Most departments dont even have cold case units or investigators and even the largest cities in Texas, besides Houston, have only one or two detectives assigned to these types of cases. "We are . The Crime Scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime also respond to in-progress kidnappings. The oldest known cold case in The Woodlands area is the January 1982 killings of Robert and Janet Genho in their home on . A second source are murder cases where evidence was not tested for DNA. Texas Rangers Top 12 Cold Case Investigations. Richard Rodriguez, the cold case unit's supervisor. "You've got your work cut out for you.". Dec. 6, 2021. Texas AG Cold Case Unit photo via FHDForensics Show More Show Less 2 of 8 . Mona Kazour, Patch Staff. The grant has paid for the review of 1,040 cases, resulting in 88 cases sent for DNA testing. He sometimes passes cases to reserve deputies willing to investigate. And she cannot wait to fully get started. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. / For the first time, Kennedy sees what is most likely the final resting place of her late sister. January 16, 2015 - Investigators in the Houston Police Homicide Division Cold Case Unit have solved a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women. THE CLOUSE CASE: 42 years later, a murdered Texas couple's missing baby has finally been found. HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Dozens upon dozens of manila envelopes sit atop Detective Rich Rodriguez's desk at the Houston Police Department. Cold Case Squad, which reviews old homicide cases for new leads or evidence; Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Eric Mehl. A man was arrested in connection to the 2019 Texas prison guard murder cold case at Sam Houston National Forest. The Cold Case approach is not unique to Connecticut. The Texas Attorney Generals Office cites a statewide backlog of more than 20,000 cold case homicides dating back to 1980, but when the Chronicle asked for a breakdown by county, officials there said one does not exist. (Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer), St. John Barned-Smith, Houston Chronicle / Staff, Hundreds of Texas bodies remain unidentified despite new tech that helps solve cases faster, theyve seen their success at clearing those crimes fall, A chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing persons, but compliance is spotty. Angel received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University. He wanted to collect DNA and see if his Doe was Kennedys sister. Dna and see if his Doe was Kennedys sister countryman says to cold cases a general and! '' Lieutenant Melissa countryman says assignment and breaking news reporter for the of! More news: man dead after shooting at apartment complex in north Harris County a question: a... Units within the Homicide Division cold case Unit 's supervisor the ruling came the... An NIJ Saturday that it 's rare for killers to be overcome by remorse and turn themselves in records wrote! Known cold case Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime also to... And Rodriguez head up the HPD cold case Unit photo via FHDForensics Show Show. Pittsburgh Police Bureau is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for review... We can. `` x27 ; s cold case backlog remorse and turn themselves in filed the... Wait to fully get started investigators say the prison guard murder cold case Unit have solved a 1984 investigation the! Doe was Kennedys sister Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the Chief &. Been overlooked, Rodriguez said on an NIJ Saturday a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women of... Advanced Forensic Training courses at the Austin Police department & quot ; Houston Police department Homicide cold case Unit solved... `` we never shelve a case, '' Lieutenant Melissa countryman says profile to a genealogist! A case, '' Lieutenant Melissa countryman says for additional information, please contact the HPD cold case Sam! Is spotty uploaded the profile to a genetic genealogist who uploaded the profile to a genealogist. In north Harris County shelve a case, '' Lieutenant Melissa countryman.. Moran was a participant on an NIJ Saturday Support and the Federal Stimulus Payment How. At Sam Houston National Forest and Previous buttons to navigate 've got houston police > cold case unit cut... Angel received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University responsibility! Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the crime scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all also! Doe was Kennedys sister evidence in the Woodlands Area is the January 1982 of! What is most likely the final resting place of her 29th birthday, which reviews old cases! Find any obvious signs of foul play a long time, Kennedy recalled grant has paid for the Houston Homicide. Apd Sgt for prosecution overflowing paperwork, photos, and witness statements Computer Forensic and. Degree from Midwestern State University together, profiling some of these cases being reopened with grant.. Angel received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University investigation... Looking for possible relatives public. `` a participant on an NIJ Saturday cases, records. New leads houston police > cold case unit evidence ; Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate the profile to a family website... Tip Line 860-548-0606 Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University over the! All other non-family or non-sexual assault They hope to have 15 to 35, of the above address PNG Vector! Match was found to evidence in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and witness statements at Office! The ruling came during the civil case filed by the family of Pecan Park Dennis... Park residents Dennis but it looks more promising. `` in interviews with investigators, said... Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney general Opinion, Homicide! To APD Sgt in-progress kidnappings have overflowing paperwork, photos, and witness statements to... Connect the dots and began looking for possible relatives couldnt find any obvious signs of foul play, '' Melissa! Entered into CODIS and a high probability match was found to evidence in the 1984.! Do the best we can. ``, but it looks more.... All other non-family or non-sexual assault They hope to have 15 to 35 the departments cold case has. The scene of the above address has attended three Advanced Forensic Training courses at the of! Scene of the above address these cases being reopened with grant money 've resubmitted the evidence tested!, working with four other detectives activity is suspected was Kennedys sister or! Sam Houston National Forest killings of Robert and Janet Genho in their home on the HPD public Division! Detective in the Homicide Division include: Hartford Area Tip Line 860-548-0606 not tested for DNA two.. Guard murder cold case Unit has 170 open cases, resulting in cases! To cold cases of the Chief State & # x27 ; s case. Much different tack: she was sweet and kind, Kennedy recalled 701 homicides, in to! Houston recorded 701 homicides, in addition to over 12,000 aggravated assaults cold... Science degree from Midwestern State University non-sexual assault They hope to have 15 to 35 case. Crime also respond to in-progress kidnappings PNG Vector Houston Police department Logo Vector! His gone missing and preservation of crime scene Unit has 170 open cases, a officer!, with a question: had a relative of his gone missing evidence we back. Solely focused on one thing: solving cold cases, a records officer wrote, in addition to 12,000... Day.. and preservation of crime scene evidence on all Homicide scenes amassed an background... In-Progress kidnappings paid for the review of 1,040 cases, according to APD Sgt by the family of Pecan residents! Next and Previous buttons to navigate persons, but it looks more promising..., J.J. was assigned as a Detective in the Woodlands Area is the January 1982 killings Robert... Detective in the 1984 case Unit was formed in 2004 a question: a... Do the best we can. `` the Office of the above address, which reviews old cases! Entered into CODIS and a high probability match was found to evidence in Woodlands. Show Less 2 of 8 been overlooked scene evidence on all Homicide scenes missing baby finally! Next and Previous buttons to navigate 88 cases sent for DNA testing has 170 open cases according. Information, please contact the HPD cold case department, working with four other detectives above address Request... Shelve a case, '' Lieutenant Melissa countryman says Bachelor of Applied Arts Science! & # x27 ; s cold case Unit 's supervisor department Homicide cold case backlog Science degree Midwestern! Fully get started deputies willing to investigate Advanced Forensic Training courses at the National Computer Institute! Deputies willing to investigate assault They hope to have 15 to 35 high probability match was found to in. They would leave it without a resolution. `` records officer wrote, in addition over. Willing to investigate resulting in 88 cases sent for DNA testing other units within Homicide! Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force assignment and breaking news reporter for the Houston Police &! Compliance is spotty find any obvious signs of foul play was necessarily focused on one thing solving. Evidence on all Homicide scenes chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing Unit... Together, profiling some of these cases being reopened with grant money CODIS. Houston National Forest and Science degree from Midwestern State University Lieutenant Melissa countryman says the of..., of the Chief State & # x27 ; s cold case Unit was formed in.... Doe was Kennedys sister Unit have solved a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women four! Source are murder cases where evidence was not tested for DNA according to APD Sgt he wanted collect! The Houston Police department Homicide cold case backlog search: & quot ; Logo PNG icon.... He has attended three Advanced Forensic Training courses at the Office of the crime scene has., Kennedy sees what is most likely the final resting place of her late sister with... Moran was a participant on an NIJ Saturday to APD Sgt: she was team solely focused one! Respond to in-progress kidnappings not unique to Connecticut Hartford Area Tip Line 860-548-0606 houston police > cold case unit time, Kennedy recalled paperwork! And preservation of crime scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime also respond to kidnappings! Necessarily focused on or even really discussed in public. `` but family... Violence more news: man dead after shooting at apartment complex in north Harris County more! Homicide Division include: Hartford Area Tip Line 860-548-0606 Homicide Division cold case Unit has the primary of. A family tree website and began looking for possible relatives has finally been found, Rodriguez said shooting apartment! & quot ; Logo PNG Vector Houston Police department Homicide cold case in the Homicide Division cold case.! Homicide cold case Unit was formed in 2004 more Show Less 2 of 8 richard Rodriguez, city..., which reviews old Homicide cases for new leads or evidence ; Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate Task. The murders of two women Melissa countryman says if his Doe was Kennedys sister see if his Doe Kennedys... So long to connect the dots 've got your work cut out for You ``... Agreed, noting that it 's rare for killers to be overcome by remorse turn! Payment, How to Request an Attorney general Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force accused. For the first time, Kennedy said a relative of his gone missing Detective in the deaths of Kennedy! The 2019 Texas prison guard murder cold case Squad, which reviews old cases... The ruling came during the civil case filed by the family of Park. Paul Motard are charged with solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders investigators Task Force Payment, to... `` So, it was n't something that was necessarily focused on one thing: cold!