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Fayetteville, North Carolina Cold Cases

Like many other American communities, Fayetteville, North Carolina, has its fair share of cold cases that have yet to be solved. In these instances, authorities were unable to find any new information about the disappearance or murder of a person. Law enforcement authorities are still working to bring closure to these cases, while the relatives and loved ones of the victims continue to search for answers.

Around seventy cases of missing or murdered people have been reported in Fayetteville since 1980, according to statistics from the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs). There are people of various ages, colors, and genders involved in these disappearances and homicides.

Cold case investigations are handled by a special section inside the Fayetteville Police Department. The team is manned by seasoned detectives who have made it their life's mission to solve cold cases and deliver victims' families peace of mind and justice.

Without evidence or eyewitnesses, solving cold cases can be extremely difficult. Evidence may have been lost or destroyed as these cases have dragged on for years, if not decades. The absence of potential witnesses due to their absence (either due to relocation or death) complicates the investigation.

The Fayetteville Police Department has begun analyzing evidence from cold cases using cutting-edge forensics technology to combat this problem. DNA, fingerprints, and other forensic evidence are examined by the department with the help of forensic experts utilizing cutting-edge methods and equipment. Sometimes the department will find new leads or identify previously unknown suspects by utilizing these tools.

Famous cold cases in Fayetteville

Community engagement and outreach is also useful in the effort to solve cold cases. The police department makes an effort to foster positive public-police relations and welcomes tips on unsolved crimes from the general population. The department uses social media, traditional news outlets, and community gatherings to disseminate information about cold cases, solicit public input, and cultivate potential leads.

The department works together with state and federal law enforcement agencies. They can better coordinate their efforts and boost the likelihood of solving cold cases if they share information and resources. The agency also collaborates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other national organizations that focus on cold case investigations to tap into their knowledge and resources.

Several cold cases have not been solved despite these efforts. Justice has yet to be brought to the families of those who have gone missing or been murdered, but law enforcement authorities are persistent in their pursuit of answers. Anybody with information that could lead to the arrest of those responsible and the delivery of justice to the victims and closure for their families is encouraged to contact the Fayetteville Police Department.

Joseph Smedley
Joseph SmedleySuspicious Death, 2015
Asha Degree
Asha DegreeMissing, 2000

Consider this

More than 200,000 unsolved cases have gone cold since 1980, and murder clearance rates continue to drop. With equity for BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other underserved victims not prioritized in the true crime community—together we can do better.

What is Fayetteville Police Department (FPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The cold case unit of the Fayetteville Police Department looks into missing and murdered people who have not been found. The team is manned by seasoned detectives who have made it their life's mission to solve cold cases and deliver victims' families peace of mind and justice.

The police frequently employs cutting-edge forensics tools to reexamine evidence from cold cases. DNA, fingerprints, and other forensic evidence are examined by the department with the help of forensic experts utilizing cutting-edge methods and equipment. Sometimes the department will find new leads or identify previously unknown suspects by utilizing these tools.

Police use community involvement and outreach to assist crack cold cases. They put in effort to cultivate trusting relationships with locals so that more people will feel comfortable coming forward with information regarding unsolved crimes. The department uses social media, traditional news outlets, and community gatherings to disseminate information about cold cases, solicit public input, and cultivate potential leads.

The department works together with state and federal law enforcement agencies. They can better coordinate their efforts and boost the likelihood of solving cold cases if they share information and resources. The agency also collaborates with the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and other national organizations that focus on cold case investigations to tap into their knowledge and resources.

In addition to these methods, the division routinely re-examines older cases in search of fresh clues or evidence that may have been missed initially. They also make an effort to keep up with the most recent developments in the field of investigation by attending relevant conferences and training events.

The Fayetteville Police Department approaches cold cases from many angles. The department is dedicated to providing victims and their families with closure and justice via the use of cutting-edge forensic technology, community outreach, interagency cooperation, and up-to-date investigational methods.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

In Fayetteville, North Carolina, there are many resources available to investigate and potentially solve cold cases. The following are only a few examples:

Cold Case Unit of the Fayetteville Police Department: The Fayetteville Police Department has a specialized team tasked with investigating cold cases. In order to solve these cases, the unit collaborates with the families of victims, the local community, and other organizations to collect new information and evidence.

Criminal charges, including cold cases, are prosecuted by the District Attorney's Office in Cumberland County in conjunction with local law enforcement. An investigator at the office looks into cold cases to find new information and evidence.

The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) in North Carolina is a state body that assists local police departments with their investigations. The SBI's Cold Case Unit collaborates with regional police to reopen cold cases.

Assistance in cases of missing and exploited children is available from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). The group provides assistance to local police departments, families, and the general public.

Crime Stoppers is a program that pays people who provide information that helps police make arrests and get convictions. In cold cases where witnesses may be unwilling to come forward, the program's anonymity feature can be invaluable.

Major cities surrounding Fayetteville, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina
Durham, North Carolina
Cary, North Carolina
Lumberton, North Carolina
Southern Pines, North Carolina

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