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Billings Cold Cases

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Billings, Montana Cold Cases

Many persons have gone missing or been murdered in the city of Billings, Montana, and the cases have gone unsolved since 1980. The families of the victims haven't gotten any answers, and the neighborhood is still on edge because of it.

There have been 47 unsolved homicides in Yellowstone County (where Billings is located) since 1980, as reported by the Montana Department of Justice. This sum is comprised of both recent and historic incidents. Many missing persons cases have also not been solved in the region.

The victims' loved ones may be negatively affected by the absence of closure in these cases since they are left wondering what happened to their loved ones and are unable to move on with their lives. Unsolved crimes can make people feel frightened and vulnerable, thus they can be a source of community worry as well.

The Cold Case Unit of the Billings Police Department is in charge of looking into cold cases. Expert detectives who have made a career out of solving cold cases collaborate closely with members of the victim's family, the local community, and other law enforcement agencies to piece together what happened.

The passage of time presents a difficulty in examining cold cases. Physical evidence may have degraded or been lost, and witnesses may no longer be accessible or recall key details. Yet, the Cold Case Unit uses state-of-the-art forensic equipment and methods to reexamine evidence and find fresh leads.

Famous cold cases in Billings

The division also engages the public in its information-gathering and tip-generating efforts. The department has been actively using social media to notify the public about cold cases and involve them in the investigation process in recent years. This has resulted in fresh information that has advanced several cases.

The amount of homicides and cases of missing people in Billings that have not been resolved is still significant, notwithstanding these efforts. The family of the victims refuse to give up hope that the cases will be solved, bringing them closure and putting those guilty to justice.

Ultimately, the problem of unsolved cold cases is a difficult and persistent one for law enforcement in Billings and across the state of Montana. Although the Cold Case Unit's focus is on solving unsolved crimes, the department needs the public's help in gathering information and gathering support. It is hoped that these crimes would be solved by sustained effort and cooperation, bringing relief to the victims' families and reassuring security to the neighborhood.

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 Billings Police Department (BPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

Cold homicide, missing person, and unidentified remains cases are investigated by the Billings Police Department's Cold Case Unit. Expert detectives have been assembled to reexamine and reinvestigate these cases with the aid of cutting-edge tools and methods.

The Cold Case Unit ranks cases according to numerous criteria, including as the seriousness of the crime, the availability of evidence, and the risk to the public. In order to identify and apprehend individuals, the unit's investigators must examine all evidence, conduct interviews, and make use of cutting-edge forensic equipment.

The Cold Case Unit uses both traditional investigation techniques and collaborative efforts with other law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, and victim advocate groups to solve cases. The team also interacts with the public in the hopes of eliciting leads or information that will lead to the resolution of these cases.

The Billings Police Department's Cold Case Unit is dedicated to solving cold cases and bringing justice to victims' loved ones. The department wants to solve cases that have gone unsolved for decades by continuing to investigate and re-examine them.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

Billings, Montana residents can use a variety of tools, including:

The Billings Police Department conducts Cold Case investigations into cold cases. In order to solve cases, the unit collaborates with other law enforcement agencies, forensic laboratories, and other groups.

The Missing People Clearinghouse at the Montana Department of Justice is a resource for anybody looking for information about missing persons or unexplained remains in Montana. Together, the clearinghouse and law enforcement are working to solve cases.

The Montana State Crime Lab is a forensics facility that serves law enforcement agencies in Montana. DNA, fingerprints, and other forensic evidence can be examined in the lab to shed light on unsolved crimes.

The Montana Innocence Project is a non-profit organization with the goal of freeing falsely convicted people in Montana. The group is also active in efforts to change the criminal justice system to reduce the number of wrongfully convicted people.

Crime Stoppers is an anonymous tip-line and nonprofit organization that pays cash rewards for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Members of the public can phone an anonymous tip line operated by the organization to share information concerning criminal activity, including cold cases.

Major cities surrounding Billings, Montana

Laurel, Montana
Roundup, Montana
Columbus, Montana
Red Lodge, Montana
Hardin, Montana

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