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Provo Cold Cases

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Provo, Utah Cold Cases

Crime, including disappearances and homicides, is not unknown in Provo, Utah. Over the years, the Provo Police Department has looked into various incidents of murder and disappearance. Nonetheless, many of these instances are still unsolved.

The Utah Department of Criminal Identification reports that there were 140 cases of missing persons in the city of Provo between 1980 and 2020. 119 were located, leaving 21 instances unsolved. During this same time period, 30 homicides were reported in Provo. As of the year 2020, 21 of these cases had been closed and 9 were still active.

The impact on families and the community is no less severe despite the lower numbers as compared to larger cities. In each instance, we honor a person who was dearly loved and will be sorely lost. The fact that these cases have not been solved despite the passage of time should be kept in mind.

Unsolved crimes are the focus of the Provo Police Department's Cold Case Unit. The unit is manned by seasoned detectives who dedicate themselves fully to bringing closure to victims' loved ones. Cases involving murder, disappearance, or identification of remains that have not been resolved after at least a year are prioritized by this team.

DNA analysis, fingerprint and ballistics testing, and re-interviews with witnesses are only some of the methods used by the Cold Case Unit to uncover the truth in these situations. The detectives in the team are frequently tasked with reopening cases in order to reexamine evidence and re-examine witness testimony that were initially disregarded. 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 developments in Provo in recent years. A murder case from 1977 was finally solved in 2018 when the defendant, who had been living under an assumed name in Nevada, was apprehended by the Cold Case Unit. The squad tracked down the killer, who had been living in California since 1995, and arrested him in 2019.

Famous cold cases in Provo

There are still many unsolved cold cases in Provo, but the Cold Case Unit has made significant progress. There is always the chance that fresh evidence will be discovered in an old case 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 mission of the Provo Police Department's Cold Case Unit is to provide victims' families with answers and those responsible with punishment. Their commitment to the community is unwavering, and their relentless work is evidence of that.

Although the number of unsolved incidents of homicide and disappearance in Provo since 1980 may seem small, the toll it takes on families and the community as a whole is high. The Provo Police Department's Cold Case Unit gives people faith that justice will be done in these unsolved situations. 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 Provo Police Department (PPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Provo Police Department has a section that specifically looks 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 department's strategy often involves a thorough review of all the evidence gathered at the scene of the incident. Examining physical evidence like DNA and fingerprints is a part of this process. The agency can now reexamine previous evidence, which may lead to fresh leads in certain cases, thanks to advancements in forensic technology.

Together with the Utah Bureau of Investigations and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the department collaborates closely with other law enforcement agencies to share information and resources in order to solve cold cases. By working together, we can be confident that every available tool is being used to deliver justice for the victims.

In order to crack cold cases, the Provo Police Department understands the need of community partnerships. 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.

The department also makes use of the material gathered at the scene of the incident, including testimonies from witnesses and anything else that might have been missed. The department plans to reexamine all of the evidence in an effort to find fresh leads and finally close long-standing cold cases.

The division also provides support to the victims' loved ones. The agency understands the necessity of delivering as much information as possible to the families who are often left without answers or closure. The department's goal in engaging the families is to generate fresh leads and finally close long-cold cases.

The Provo Police Department uses these methods and technologies to investigate and solve cold cases. In order to evaluate data and find possible criminals, the agency uses cutting-edge computer programs. The department's toughest cold cases have been cracked in part thanks to this technology.

In conclusion, the missing and murdered persons cases that have not been solved in Provo are the focus of the Provo Police Department's Cold Case Team. 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.

What resources are available to help solve cold cases?

There are a number of resources in Provo, Utah, that can be used to investigate and potentially solve cold cases. Some of these tools are:

The Utah Cold Case Coalition is a charitable organization that provides support to local law enforcement in their efforts to solve cold cases. They help the victims and their families, bring attention to cold cases, and educate and teach law enforcement.

The Utah State Crime Lab offers forensic analysis services to law enforcement agencies across the state. In order to help police solve crimes, including unsolved cold cases, they conduct tests on evidence such as DNA, firearms, and drugs.

Bureau of Criminal Identification of the Utah Department of Public Safety provides law enforcement with access to criminal records, fingerprint identification services, and forensic analysis.

The Utah County Sheriff's Office maintains a Cold Case Unit that investigates homicides and disappearances that have gone cold in Utah County. In order to solve crimes, the unit collaborates extensively with the Utah Cold Case Coalition and the Utah State Crime Lab.

The Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Utah's Department of Anthropology provides assistance to local law enforcement in homicide and missing person investigations through the identification of human remains.

Major cities surrounding Provo, Utah

Orem, Utah
Lehi, Utah
American Fork, Utah
Springville, Utah
Payson, Utah

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