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El Paso Cold Cases

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El Paso, Texas Cold Cases

Cases of persons going missing or being murdered in El Paso, Texas date all the way back to 1980. Almost two hundred crimes in El Paso remain unsolved, many of which are considered cold cases, according to the police. Those who have vanished without a trace and those whose murders have gone unsolved also fall into this category.

A subset of the El Paso Police Department is responsible for looking into cold cases. Detectives with extensive expertise and specialized training in this area staff the team. The major objective of the team is to investigate all of the collected evidence and come up with fresh leads.

The lack of new evidence is a major obstacle to solving cold cases. In many of these situations, no new information has surfaced in years, if not decades. But, cutting-edge forensic equipment is put to use by the Cold Case Squad in order to reexamine previously collected material and identify any new leads in these cases. The unit has been able to make headway on some of these cases thanks to developments in DNA analysis and other forensic procedures.

In addition to cooperating with the Texas Rangers and the FBI, the department also shares information and resources with other law enforcement organizations. By working together, we can be confident that every available tool is being used to deliver justice for the victims.

The El Paso Police Department understands the value of community connections in solving cold cases. The agency routinely holds events and collaborates with the media to raise awareness about cold cases and solicit leads from locals. There are prizes available from the department if a tip leads to an arrest and conviction in one of these cases.

Famous cold cases in El Paso

There is a rising backlog of cases that have not yet been assigned to the Cold Case Squad, which adds to the difficulties of solving cold cases. The El Paso Times claims that there have been over a hundred homicides in the city that have gone uninvestigated by the police department's Cold Case Section. In order to ensure that all cases are being adequately investigated, this backlog highlights the need for extra resources to be assigned to the unit.

There is often no resolution for the victims' families in these cases. The El Paso Police Department understands that solving these crimes is critical, not only for the sake of justice, but also so that the victims' loved ones can finally rest in peace. Some of these cases have seen advancement, but the department still has a long way to go.

In conclusion, the El Paso Police Department has a special unit called the Cold Case Unit that looks into missing and homicide cases that have gone cold. In order to identify suspects and solve cold cases, the team employs cutting-edge forensic technology, collaborates closely with other law enforcement organizations, and forges ties within the community. Although there are many obstacles to resolving cold cases, the agency is dedicated to doing so in order to bring justice to the victims and peace of mind to their loved ones.

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 El Paso Police Department (EPPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Crimes Against People Section of the El Paso Police Department (EPPD) is responsible for investigating cold cases. Detectives in the Crimes Against People Unit have received specialized training to handle difficult and protracted investigations.

The EPPD's Crimes Against People Unit has a multi-pronged approach to solving cold cases, which includes:

The team conducts a thorough assessment of the case and analyzes all of the information and evidence at their disposal, including forensic evidence, witness statements, and earlier investigation reports.

In order to acquire more information and look for contradictions in their testimonies, detectives will reinterview witnesses and prospective suspects.

In order to see if forensic evidence, such as a DNA sample, matches any current databases or can be re-analyzed with updated techniques, investigators will frequently re-examine it.

The Crimes Against People Unit may partner with the Federal Bureau of Investigation or the Texas Rangers to pool their respective agencies' resources and expertise.

Crimes Against People Unit officers may use media interviews and social media posts to solicit tips from the general public.

Create fresh leads: Investigators will try to generate new leads by reevaluating existing evidence, interviewing potential witnesses, and following up on tips and leads that may have been missed during the first investigation.

The EPPD's strategy for solving cold cases is all-encompassing, involving the use of every tool at their disposal to unearth fresh leads and finally solve the case.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

El Paso, Texas, is home to numerous resources dedicated to resolving cold cases. Among these are:

The El Paso Police Department's Cold Case Unit investigates cold crimes, or murders that have yet to be solved. Cold case investigators evaluate and investigate closed cases to provide closure for victims' loved ones.

El Paso Crime Stoppers is a community-based organization that encourages citizens to anonymously report illegal behavior, including information regarding cold cases. Send in your tips via the website or give us a call if you have information that could lead to an arrest or the return of stolen items.

The Missing People Clearinghouse and the Texas Rangers of the Texas Department of Public Safety are two more services available to the public that aim to provide closure to cold cases in El Paso and across the state. They provide aid to law enforcement in solving cold cases like those involving missing persons and unidentified bodies.

Some families may decide to use private investigators to help them with cold case solving. Some of the materials and instruments that these investigators use may be off-limits to the general public, such as more sophisticated forensic methods or databases of criminal histories.

There are also a number of non-profit groups that work to aid the families of victims of violent crimes, both recent and historical. Among of the services that these groups may provide include advocacy, emotional support, and public education concerning cold cases.

Major cities surrounding El Paso, Texas

Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico
Las Cruces, New Mexico
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Socorro, Texas
Horizon City, Texas

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Top El Paso Cold Cases