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Newport News Cold Cases

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Newport News, Virginia Cold Cases

Newport News, Virginia is a city that takes great pleasure in its welcoming and secure environment. Yet, it has had its share of crime, including cases of missing or murdered people, just like any other city. The Newport News Police Department has, over the years, looked into a large number of instances involving missing or killed persons. While some of these cases have been closed, many others continue to be unsolved.

There were 245 incidents of missing persons reported in Newport News between 1980 and 2020, as recorded by the Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services. Only 15 instances were still unsolved, while 230 persons were found. Moreover, during this same period, 392 homicides were registered in Newport News. There were 220 closed cases and 172 open ones as of the year 2020.

These figures suggest that there are still a significant number of unsolved cold cases in Newport News. In each instance, we honor a person who was dearly loved and will be sorely lost. The effects on households and the neighborhood are far-reaching.

The Cold Case Unit of the Newport News Police Department is responsible for looking into cold cases. 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.

Some long-cold cases have been solved in Newport News in recent years. The suspect in a homicide case from 1985 who had been living in California was apprehended in 2018. The 2020 arrest of a suspect who had been living in North Carolina allowed the unit to close a homicide case from 1996.

Famous cold cases in Newport News

Although the Cold Case Unit has not yet solved all of Newport News' unsolved cold cases, their recent successes give the community reason to be optimistic. 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. Closure for families and justice for victims are priorities for the Newport News Police Department's Cold Case Unit. Their commitment to the community is unwavering, and their relentless work is evidence of that.

It is clear from the data that many missing and homicide cases in Newport News that have been open since 1980 have yet to be solved. The Cold Case Unit of the Newport News 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 Newport News Police Department (NNPD)'s strategy for investigating unsolved cases?

The Cold Case Unit of the Newport News Police Department is in charge of investigating cold cases, including murders, disappearances, and unidentified bodies that have not been located after a year. Detectives with years of expertise work tirelessly to solve these crimes and bring closure to the victims' loved ones.

The Cold Case Unit of the Newport News Police Department frequently reexamines crime-scene physical evidence by applying cutting-edge technology and methods. 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.

One of the primary goals of the Newport News Police Department's Cold Case Unit is to re-interview witnesses and collect fresh information from people who did not provide it during the initial investigation. The unit's detectives frequently have to re-investigate a case in light of new information or new witness accounts.

Ultimately, the Cold Case Unit of the Newport News Police Department is dedicated to conducting their investigations with the victims' best interests in mind. 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 Newport News 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?

In Newport News, Virginia, there are many resources available to investigate and potentially solve cold cases. Among these are:

There is a special Cold Case Unit within the Newport News Police Department that looks into cold cases of murder and disappearance. When gathering information and developing leads, the unit collaborates with the public, the media, and other law enforcement entities.

The Virginia State Police have a special unit dedicated to looking into cold cases of murder and disappearance. The squad collaborates with the FBI and local police to investigate and find clues.

The Newport News Crime Line is a non-profit organization that enables anyone to report crimes anonymously. An individual can receive up to $1,000 in reward money for providing information that results in an individual's arrest and subsequent conviction.

NamUs, or the National Missing and Unidentified People System, is a database that compiles data from across the country to help identify and locate missing people and their remains. Everyone, including cops, forensic scientists, and coroners, can access the database.

The Commonwealth of Virginia's Department of Forensic Science offers its services in forensic analysis and support to the state's various law enforcement organizations. DNA testing, toxicology, and other forms of investigation can all contribute to the resolution of cold cases.

Resources Within the Community: Local community organizations and advocacy groups can also play a role in bringing closure to cold cases. Organizations like this can help those left behind by crimes by providing comfort to grieving loved ones, drawing attention to cold cases, and collaborating with authorities to solve them.

Major cities surrounding Newport News, Virginia

Hampton, Virginia
Norfolk, Virginia
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Chesapeake, Virginia
Suffolk, Virginia

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