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.