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Virginia Beach Cold Cases

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Virginia Beach, Virginia Cold Cases

Crime, including disappearances and homicides, is not unknown in Virginia Beach, a city on the Atlantic coast. Many missing persons and homicide investigations have been conducted by the Virginia Beach Police Department. While some of these cases have been closed, many others continue to be unsolved.

From 1980 to 2020, 142 cases of missing persons were reported in Virginia Beach, as recorded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. One hundred and thirty-nine were located, leaving three unsolved cases. Moreover, during this same period, 117 homicides were reported in Virginia Beach. By 2020, 73 of these cases will have been closed while 44 will still be unresolved.

The statistics show that many unsolved cold cases persist in Virginia Beach. The families and communities affected by these crimes remain vulnerable until they are closed. In each instance, we honor a person who was dearly loved and will be sorely lost.

Unsolved crimes are investigated by the Virginia Beach Police Department's Cold Case Unit. Detectives with years of expertise staff the team, and they work relentlessly to offer closure to victims' loved ones. Unsolved cases involving homicide, missing persons, or unexplained remains that have lasted at least a year are the primary focus of the unit's efforts.

The Cold Case Unit re-interviews witnesses, analyzes fingerprints and ballistics evidence, and analyzes DNA to solve these cases. The detectives in the team are frequently called upon to re-examine evidence and re-interview witnesses after the original inquiry has shown inconclusive results. They also employ public outreach strategies like social media to find new leads and tips from the general public.

There have been numerous significant cold case breakthroughs in Virginia Beach over the past few years. The defendant in a homicide case from 1973 was apprehended by the Cold Case Unit in 2017. He had been residing in Florida at the time. The squad tracked down the murder suspect, who had been living in Georgia since 1996, and arrested him in 2019.

Famous cold cases in Virginia Beach

There are still many unsolved cold cases in Virginia Beach, but the unit's work gives residents reason to be optimistic that justice will be served. The potential for fresh evidence to be discovered and a breakthrough in a cold case is always present thanks to technological and investigative developments.

Cold cases have a devastating effect on communities and families. The burden of not knowing what happened and why is heavy on the loved ones left behind. The Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department is dedicated to solving cold cases and providing victims' families with answers and justice. Their commitment to the community is unwavering, and their relentless work is evidence of that.

The numbers of people who have gone missing or been murdered in Virginia Beach since 1980 show that there are still many unsolved cases. The Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department gives victims' loved ones reason to believe that justice will be done. Their perseverance serves as a sobering reminder that these cases should be pursued no matter how much time has gone.

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 Virginia Beach Police Department (VBPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

For at least a year, the Virginia Beach Police Department's Cold Case Unit has been devoted to solving cold cases involving homicide, missing persons, and unexplained remains. Detectives with years of expertise staff the team, and they work relentlessly to offer closure to victims' loved ones.

The Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department is known for using cutting-edge equipment and methods to reexamine crime scene evidence. Many unsolved instances have been brought to light thanks to the application of cutting-edge DNA testing. To maximize the use of its resources, the unit collaborates closely with other law enforcement organizations and forensics specialists.

The utilization of community involvement and outreach to gather fresh leads and recommendations from the general populace is also crucial. The Cold Case Unit uses several methods to reach out to the public and encourage them to come forward with any information they may have, including social media, public speaking, and other events. To make sure that relatives of victims are supported during the investigation, they also collaborate closely with victim advocacy groups and community organizations.

The Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department places a premium on re-interviewing witnesses and collecting fresh information from people who did not cooperate during the initial investigation. The unit's detectives frequently have to re-investigate a case in light of new information or new witness accounts.

Last but not least, the Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department is dedicated to conducting its inquiries from the perspective of the victim. In other words, they engage closely with victims' loved ones to address their worries and keep them updated on the investigation's progress. The unit is sensitive to the emotional toll that unsolved cases may take on families and works hard to give them with the supports they require.

In conclusion, the Cold Case Unit of the Virginia Beach Police Department uses a number of methods, such as cutting-edge technology, community outreach, and a focus on the victim, to investigate cold cases. Their perseverance is a demonstration of their dedication to ensuring victims and their loved ones receive justice and peace of mind.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Virginia Beach, Virginia, is home to a number of resources devoted to the investigation of cold cases.

When it comes to missing persons and cold cases, the Virginia Beach Police Department has a special unit called the Cold Case Unit. In order to investigate, they collaborate with other law enforcement agencies, forensic experts, and members of the community.

The Virginia State Police's Bureau of Criminal Investigation collaborates with local authorities to solve cold cases. They have forensics and homicide investigation teams.

Virginia Beach Crime Solvers is a non-profit organization that offers rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for unsolved crimes in Virginia Beach, including cold cases.

The NCMEC is a non-profit organization that collaborates with law enforcement and families to find missing children and safely reunite them with them. Families of the missing can also find help and resources from this organization.

NamUs, or the National Missing and Unidentified People System, is a database that helps relatives of the missing and law enforcement organizations with their investigations of unidentified remains. Cases from different states can be compared with each other, which could lead to new leads and the resolution of long-cold cases.

Major cities surrounding Virginia Beach, Virginia

Norfolk, Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
Newport News, Virginia
Hampton, Virginia
Portsmouth, Virginia

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Top Virginia Beach Cold Cases