Cold Case Studios

23/03/2024

Bryan Kohberger Update as Alibi Set to Be Revealed.?

University of Idaho murders suspect Bryan Kohberger is set to reveal new information on a possible alibi next month, while a trial date is still unknown.

In February, prosecutors in the case requested more information from Kohberger's legal team on a possible alibi over the murders, which left four college students dead in November 2022. Judge John Judge, overseeing the case, set a deadline of April 17 for Kohberger's legal team to provide documents relating to an alibi.

In December 2022, Kohberger was arrested at his parents' residence in Albrightsville, Pennsylvania.

23/03/2024

Sumner County residents call on extra resources for missing teen after search for Riley Strain ends........SUMNER COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — As the search for missing Missouri student Riley Strain ends, another family in Sumner County is still left without answers.

Sebastian Rogers, 15, has been missing for almost five weeks.

“I’m calling on the army, you know, and I thought the resources are here,” TikToker Heather Abbott said.

A mom and TikToker with 92,000 followers took to social media to call for the help of the United Cajun Navy, currently in Nashville, as the search for Riley Strain ends.

A mom and TikToker took to social media to call for the help looking for Sebastian Rogers from the United Cajun Navy, currently in Nashville, as the search for Riley Strain ends.

22/03/2024

The body of University of Missouri student Riley Strain has been found in the Cumberland River Friday morning, the Metropolitan Nashville Police announced.

"The body of Riley Strain was recovered from the Cumberland River in West Nashville this morning, approximately 8 miles from downtown," the department wrote on X. "No foul play-related trauma was observed. An autopsy is pending.

Read more: https://abc17news.com/

21/03/2024

Family, officials provide update on search for missing college student Riley Strain.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV/Gray News) – The family of Riley Strain and officials held a press conference Tuesday to provide an update on the search for the missing University of Missouri student.

Strain, who was in Nashville for a fraternity trip, went missing on March 8 after being kicked out of Luke’s 32 Bridge on Broadway. Strain’s missing person’s case has gained national attention as the search for him continues

Strain, who was in Nashville for a fraternity trip, went missing on March 8. The United Cajun Navy is helping organize the search effort.

19/03/2024

(Disclaimer) (Allegedly) brawl between families at the court? estranged husband calls Latashas phone prior before going missing ? Foul Play?

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police said they’re working to bring Latasha Crump Coleman home.

Latasha Crump Coleman has been missing since July 2023.

JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) – Jackson police said they’re working to bring Latasha Crump Coleman home. Crump Coleman has been missing since July 2023. On Thursday, December 7, there was a bra…

19/03/2024

The Impact of True Crime on Society: How It Shapes Our Perception of Crime and Justice

Exploring the Cultural Significance of True Crime

In recent years, the genre of true crime has seen a surge in popularity across various forms of media. The stories of real-life crime and the people involved in them have captured the attention of audiences worldwide. With the advent of the digital age, access to true crime content has become easier than ever before, with numerous podcasts, documentaries, and streaming shows available at the click of a button. The popularity of true crime can be attributed to its gripping narratives, its ability to provide a glimpse into the dark side of human nature, and its focus on real-life mysteries that have yet to be solved.

Understanding Criminal Behavior

The rise of true crime as a popular genre in media has been a fascinating phenomenon in recent years. Its popularity has expanded across different forms of media, such as books, podcasts, documentaries, and streaming shows. With its broad reach, the true crime genre has captivated the attention of audiences worldwide. The real-life stories of heinous crimes and the people involved in them have proved to be a compelling topic for many. The genre has an almost addictive quality, as the more one learns about the cases, the more one wants to know.

The true crime genre has been one of the most powerful tools in understanding the root causes of criminal behavior and its prevention. It has enabled us to gain valuable insights into the motives behind the criminal activity, identify patterns, and develop strategies to minimize the risk of future crimes. The genre has provided us with real-life case studies of crimes committed in different settings and circumstances, offering a diverse range of perspectives on the causes and consequences of criminal behavior. The examination of the criminal mind in true crime stories provides a better understanding of the psychological and social factors that lead to criminal activity. This information can be used to inform policies and strategies that aim to prevent crime and protect society.

The Justice System

True crime stories provide an opportunity to delve deeper into the complexities of the justice system, shedding light on both its successes and shortcomings. One of the ways in which the genre provides this unique perspective is by highlighting the injustices that can occur within the system. For instance, wrongful convictions can occur due to a range of factors, such as false confessions, eyewitness misidentification, or forensic errors. These stories bring attention to the flaws in the justice system that need to be addressed and encourage us to advocate for reforms that ensure that innocent people are not wrongfully convicted.

Moreover, true crime stories also offer insights into the difficulties that law enforcement officials face in investigating and prosecuting crimes. The genre often features cases where investigators have been stymied by a lack of evidence or by the complexities of the crime itself. Through these stories, we can gain a deeper appreciation for the challenges that investigators and prosecutors face and identify areas where improvements can be made to enhance their effectiveness.

In addition, true crime stories can also reveal how the justice system can be influenced by factors beyond the evidence or the law, such as bias, politics, or public opinion. By examining cases where justice was not served due to these factors, we can identify ways to prevent similar miscarriages of justice from happening in the future.

Ultimately, true crime stories offer a valuable perspective on the justice system, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses and providing insights that can lead to meaningful reforms. By studying these stories, we can advocate for changes that ensure that the rights of all individuals are protected and that justice is served fairly

Societal Factors

True crime has become a valuable tool for raising awareness about the societal factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Stories that highlight poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse cases have helped us to better understand the underlying causes of criminal behavior. For instance, poverty can drive people to commit crimes in order to meet their basic needs or to gain access to resources that are otherwise unavailable to them. Similarly, mental illness can lead to erratic behavior and impulsive actions, which can result in criminal acts.

Substance abuse is another factor that can contribute to criminal behavior. Drugs and alcohol can impair judgment and inhibit decision-making abilities, leading individuals to engage in risky and dangerous behavior. True crime stories that explore these issues help to reduce stigma and encourage greater understanding and empathy toward those struggling with addiction and mental health issues.

By raising awareness about these societal factors, true crime stories have inspired efforts to address them. Advocacy groups, community organizations, and policymakers have worked to develop programs and policies that address poverty, mental illness, and substance abuse in order to reduce the likelihood of criminal behavior. By providing a platform for these issues, true crime has encouraged individuals and communities to take action and work together to address the root causes of crime.

The Entertainment Industry

True Crime has had a significant impact on the entertainment industry, inspiring countless adaptations across various media, including feature films, TV shows, podcasts, and books. The genre's popularity has created a large and diverse audience, attracting both true crime enthusiasts and casual viewers interested in exploring the darker side of human nature. True crime has also become a lucrative industry, with production companies and streaming services investing heavily in the genre. The success of true crime shows like "Making a Murderer" and "The Jinx" has inspired a new wave of true crime content, leading to a proliferation of new documentaries, podcasts, and series. Overall, true crime has emerged as a powerful force in the entertainment industry, shaping popular culture and captivating audiences around the world.

Ethical Concerns

However, the popularity of true crime also raises some ethical concerns. Some critics argue that true crime glorifies violence and tragedy and that it can be exploitative of the victims and their families. It is important to approach the genre with empathy and respect for the victims and their loved ones and to avoid sensationalizing or trivializing their experiences. By telling their stories with sensitivity and compassion, we can ensure that their memories are honored and justice is served.

In conclusion, the true crime genre has significantly impacted our society and our understanding of crime and justice. By examining real-life cases, we can gain insight into the criminal mind, the justice system, and societal factors that contribute to criminal behavior. Through this understanding, we can work to prevent future crimes and improve the criminal justice system. However, it's important to approach the genre with empathy and respect for the victims and their families. By doing so, we can ensure that their stories are told with sensitivity and compassion.

19/03/2024

(Disclaimer) (Allegedly) Missing Student Riley Strain's Bank Card Found Near River in Nashville as Search Continues
Riley Strain has been missing since March 8, when he was last seen walking through Nashville after he was asked to leave a local bar

New evidence has been discovered in the case of missing college student Riley Strain more than a week after he disappeared during a trip to Nashville.

18/03/2024

(Disclaimer) Allegedly - Guilty Or Innocent let's hear y'all's opinion..... MOTIVE UNKNOWN ?
Grenada County murder suspect appears before judge

A man accused of murdering his wife in Grenada County appeared before a judge Monday morning, March 18.

07/03/2024

REPORT. Possible human remains found at Tallahatchie County courthouse

CHARLESTON, Miss. (WTVA) — Remains possibly belonging to a human have been recovered from the Tallahatchie County courthouse in Charleston, the Charleston Sun-Sentinel reported on Tuesday.

The remains were found in an area previously used to store evidence and court exhibits.

Remains possibly belonging to a human have been recovered from the Tallahatchie County courthouse in Charleston, the Charleston Sun-Sentinel reported on Tuesday.

06/03/2024

WALLA WALLA, WA - Patricia Lee Otto has been missing for more than four decades, last seen in Lewiston, Idaho on August 31, 1976. Her daughter, Suzanne Timms, has been investigating her mom's disappearance since her adulthood.

"Because my whole life, my dad and his side of the family told me that she left but she would not have left me." said Timms.

WARNING: This content may contain graphic content disturbing to some viewers.

07/09/2023

46-year-old Latasha Crump Coleman was reported missing by her family on July 19, 2023. It’s now been nearly two months since she was last seen at her home in Jackson, Mississippi.

Dexter Crump is Latasha’s only child. The 31-year-old told Dateline that his mother is a loving woman who works hard and is very sorely missed.The 46-year-old and her car, a 2002 gray Acura MDX bearing Mississippi plate HPA8639, have not been seen since July 18, 2023

The 46-year-old and her car, a 2002 gray Acura MDX bearing Mississippi plate HPA8639, have not been seen since July 18, 2023.

07/09/2023

The Bath School Disaster: A History and Remembrance The Forgotten Tragedy of the Bath School Disaster in 1927

The Bath School Disaster was a senseless act of violence that claimed the lives of 45 innocent people, including 38 children. It was a tragedy that left a lasting impact on the community of Bath Township, Michigan, and on the entire country.

07/09/2023

The Zodiac Killer Letters Were Analyzed By AI—Here Are the Results
by a masked serial killer who sent letters and ciphers to police which purportedly contained information that would lead to his arrest. But decades have passed and law enforcement has yet to catch the killer, who became known as the Zodiac Killer.

While multiple theories have been floated over the years as to the identity of the mystery killer, Professor Thomas Henry Horan is convinced that the Zodiac Killer eluded capture because he simply doesn't exist. He outlines this idea in the two-part documentary series The Myth of the Zodiac Killer, streaming now on
Peacock

Find out what two scientists learned about the Zodiac Killer letters through AI analysis.

07/09/2023

On June 22, 1954, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme brutally bludgeoned Parker's mother to death — because they thought she would ruin their friendship.The scandalous trial that followed captivated New Zealanders, and the story was even turned into a feature film, Heavenly Creatures (1994), directed by Peter Jackson. So what exactly led to the infamous Parker-Hulme murder?

This is the full story, from how the girls first bonded, to how they planned what Parker called “The Day of the Happy Event,” to where they are now

Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme seemed like perfectly ordinary teenage girls. But on June 22, 1954, a day that would be remembered in New Zealand for decades to come, they viciously murdered Parker’s mother, Honorah Rieper. The two teenagers had become obsessed with each other and the fantasy world they’d created. And they believed that Rieper would be an obstacle in their perfect, shared future.

On June 22, 1954, Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme brutally bludgeoned Parker's mother to death — because they thought she would ruin their friendship. Pauline Parker...

07/09/2023

Kansas Has Been Home to Several Families of Ruthless Serial Killers
The Benders, Kellys, and Stafflebacks offered hospitality but delivered murder.
They say the family that prays together stays together. But, in some cases, it’s slaying, not praying (or preying) that they have in common. Here are three examples where murder was a family affair. Astonishingly, all three families operated in Kansas during a 30-year period.
One of history’s most famous serial killing families was the “Bloody” Benders of Labette County, Kansas, who preyed on travelers using the Great Osage Trail between 1871 and 1872. They lured people to their homestead with the offer of hot meals, overnight accommodations, and the services of daughter Kate who advertised herself as a psychic and healer. Kate’s reputation as a lecturer on free love was no doubt an added incentive.

The Benders typically dispatched their victims by hitting them in the head with a hammer and slitting their throats. They then stripped them of their valuables and dumped them in the basement via a strategically placed trap door. The family often buried their victims’ bodies on their property. What they did with their victims’ horses and wagons is uncertain, although law enforcement arrested several people selling some of the victims’ belongings.

07/09/2023

The Chilling Story of the Hinterkaifeck Killings, Germany’s Most Famous Unsolved Crime

The Hinterkaifeck farmstead was a lonesome place. Located near the woods outside the Bavarian town of Gröbern, about an hour’s drive from Munich and a half-mile behind, or “hinter,” the town of Kaifeck, it was the home of 35-year-old Viktoria Gabriel and her two children, 7-year-old Cäzilia and 2-year-old Josef, as well as her elderly parents Andreas and Cäzilia Gruber.

The family was known for keeping to themselves. Still, neighbors grew concerned on April 1, 1922, when young Cäzilia missed school and the entire family failed to show up to the church where Viktoria was a member of the choir. Cäzilia missed school again on April 3, and by then, mail for the family had begun to pile up at the local post office. On April 4, the family’s neighbors decided to investigate. Lorenz Schlittenbauer, a farmer who lived nearby, led the search party.

What they discovered likely haunted them for the rest of their days.

No one has been convicted of committing the six brutal murders in 1922—but there were suspects.

07/09/2023

Perry Smith, The Man Who Inspired History’s Most Famous True Crime Book After Murdering An Entire Family
On Nov. 15, 1959, Perry Smith and his accomplice Richard “Dick” Hickock broke into the Holcomb, Kansas home of a farmer named Herbert Clutter. They intended to steal money that they believed Clutter kept in a safe — but when they couldn’t find it, they murdered the entire family instead.
The exact events of the night are still in dispute to this day, but Smith was likely the one who shot all four members of the Clutter family. He and Hickock then fled the scene, and Smith was arrested in Las Vegas six weeks later. Both men were found guilty of murder and sentenced to death.

In the chilling story that inspired Truman Capote's In Cold Blood, Perry Smith and his accomplice Richard Hickock murdered the Clutter family inside their home in...

06/09/2023

Amelia Earhart Breakthrough: Hidden Text on Aluminum Panel Could Prove Missing Aviatrix Died on Remote island
There's a new lead in the ongoing search for Amelia Earhart's plane, which disappeared during her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world in 1937, RadarOnline.com has learned.

A recently surfaced photograph from a 2009 expedition in the Pacific Ocean appears to show an engine cover buried underwater near Nikumaroro Island, a remote atoll between New Zealand and Hawaii . The photograph has raised hopes that it could be a part of Earhart's plane.

There's a new lead in the ongoing search for Amelia Earhart's plane, which disappeared during her attempt to become the first woman to fly around the world in 1937, RadarOnline.com has learned. A recently surfaced photograph from a 2009 expedition in the Pacific Ocean appears to show an engine cover...

01/09/2023

Unsolved Murders in Pennsylvania: The Knife in the Library
One of the most prolific unsolved murder cases in Pennsylvania that has received significant attention over the years is the murder of a young lady named Betsy Aardsma.

Betsy Aardsma was a 22-year-old graduate student at Penn State University in State College, Pennsylvania. On November 28, 1969, she went to the library to do research for a paper she was working on. While in the library, she was stabbed once in the heart with a single-edged hunting knife.

The murder of Betsy Aardsma in Centre County, Pennsylvania has yet to be solved. One of the most prolific unsolved murder cases in Pennsylvania that has received significant attention over the years is the murder of a young lady named Betsy Aardsma.

01/09/2023

ABC News
Search underway for killer of 12-year-old boy found in dumpster
An investigation is underway in Philadelphia to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy, whose body was found in a dumpster, according to police.

The grisly discovery was made in West Philadelphia by a city Housing Authority sanitation worker, according to Philadelphia Police Department officials.

Staff Inspector Ernest Ransom, head of the police department's homicide unit, identified the child Thursday afternoon as Hezekiah Bernard and said that at the time of his death he was in the custody city Department of Human Services.

A DHS spokesperson said the department had no immediate comment.

Ransom said Bernard's body was discovered by the sanitation worker around 8 a.m. on Aug. 22 inside a closed plastic trash container he found in the dumpster on Cherry Street near the Arch Houses, a city Housing Authority property.

An investigation is underway in Philadelphia to identify a suspect in the fatal shooting of a 12-year-old boy, whose body was found in a dumpster, according to police.

31/08/2023

The Never-Ending Mystery of the Black Dahlia MurderThe gruesome death of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short confounded Los Angeles investigators in the late 1940s and remained a topic of intrigue in the decades that followedAt around 10 a.m. on January 15, 1947, Betty Bersinger was pushing her daughter in a stroller through the Leimert Park section of South Los Angeles when something caught her eye amid the weedy, vacant lots.

A naked female body, severed at the waist, was lying just off the sidewalk, the stark whiteness of her skin offset by jet-black hair and deformities like the gashes carved from each side of her mouth.

Bersinger dashed to a neighbor's house to call the police, igniting a frenzy that engulfed several divisions of the LAPD and reporters from the city's relentlessly competitive newspapers, and laid the groundwork for what became one of the country's most famous unsolved cases.

The gruesome death of 22-year-old Elizabeth Short confounded Los Angeles investigators in the late 1940s and remained a topic of intrigue in the decades that followed.

31/08/2023

Henry Weston Smith was born on January 10th, 1827, in the town of Ellington, Connecticut. He was mysteriously murdered on August 20th, 1876, between Deadwood and Crook City, South Dakota. He was 49 years old when he was killed. He's buried in Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota.

I always thought that a drunken cowboy murdered Henry Weston Smith. The cowboy must have gotten sick and tired of Smith preaching and warned him that if he kept on, he'd be sorry. He beat Smith to Crook City by 10 minutes and ordered a couple of Native Americans to take cover behind some rocks. The....

31/08/2023

Accident or Murder?
The Suspicious and Murky Details Surrounding the Death of Al Swearengen
On HBO’s critically acclaimed series “Deadwood” talented actor Ian McShane plays the role of Al Swearengen proprietor of The Gem Saloon and antagonist to Seth Bullock played by Timothy Olyphant. Both characters are based on actual people. The show’s creators have stated that they attempted to make the character of Al more nuanced and sympathetic than the real man he was based on.

By most accounts, the real-life Al Swearengen was a vile reprehensible man. He was a bully as well as a serial abuser of women. He was married and divorced three times, with all three wives claiming he was physically violent and emotionally abusive. This pattern of abuse towards women would continue as owner of The Gem Theater in Deadwood.

Opened in 1877, The Gem was very profitable for Swearengen. It would host entertainment from singers, comedians, circus performers, actors, and more. It was also an open secret that The Gem was a brothel and Swearengen was a violent and abusive pimp.

He would lure young women from as far away as the East Coast with the promise of legitimate work for high pay at his establishment. Once there, Swearengen would beat and coerce the girls (often underage) into prostitution. Swearengen cast a large shadow over Deadwood, and few dared get in his way.In 1899, The Gem Theater catches fire for a third time. When firefighters arrive at the scene they discovered that someone had stolen the hydrant wrenches. All they could do was watch the building burn. After the third fire, Al Swearengen decides to leave Deadwood and head to Colorado. A few years later, his body is found near a streetcar track in Denver, but authorities never determined if his death was accidental or foul play

The Suspicious and Murky Details Surrounding the Death of Al Swearengen

31/08/2023

The Balham Mystery. Or: The Notorious death of Charles Bravo.
Charles Bravo was a successful lawyer in Victorian London. His wife, born Florence Campbell, had been previously married to one Captain Ricardo, a very wealthy dipsomaniac.

After they separated, he died and left his wealth to Florence. When his body was examined traces of the poison antimony were discovered. Florence then struck up a relationship with Dr William Gully who ran a hydrotherapy spar in picturesque Malvern. Perhaps they would have married, but Gully already had a wife so that was out of the question.

Accident, Su***de or Murder?

31/08/2023

Unsolved Victorian Murders: Benjamin Nathan
Benjamin Nathan, a wealthy stockbroker and philanthropist, was found brutally beaten to death in his Manhattan home the morning of July 29, 1870. Some jewelry and a small amount of cash were stolen and the police were quick to rule the incident a burglary gone bad. But if so, how and when did the burglars enter? And how could four others staying in the house sleep through the violent attack? In fact, the Nathan murder looked more like a classic “locked-room” mystery—a mystery that remains unsolved

The murder of Benjamin Nathan is a "locked-room" mystery that remans unsolved.

31/08/2023

Nov. 7, 1837: Elijah Parish Lovejoy Murdered
On Nov. 7, 1837, minister, journalist, newspaper editor, and abolitionist Elijah Parish Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob in Alton, Illinois during their attack on his warehouse to destroy his press

Minister, journalist, newspaper editor, and abolitionist Elijah Parish Lovejoy was murdered by a pro-slavery mob.

31/08/2023

THE MANHATTAN WELL MYSTERY
On Monday, December 23, 1799, the morning after Elma Sands disappeared, the death of George Washington dominated New York newspapers. Muffled church bells tolled continuously for an hour beginning at noon, as they would each day up to the former president’s ceremonial funeral in Manhattan a week later. To memorialize the general who liberated New York from the British on Evacuation Day in 1783 and was inaugurated in the city as the nascent nation’s first president six years later, marchers accompanied a symbolic three-foot-tall urn to a service at St. Paul’s Chapel on Broadway, where Washington had worshipped after he was sworn in. “Every kind of business ceased, and every thought was employed in preparation for the melancholy solemnity,” according to one account. But by the following Monday, after it was reported that Washington had been buried at Mount Vernon, New Yorkers were already turning their thoughts to somebody else. Elma Sands was still missing.

On Monday, December 23, 1799, the morning after Elma Sands disappeared, the death of George Washington dominated New York newspapers. Muffled church bells tolled continuously for an hour beginning …

31/08/2023

The Mysterious Murder of ‘Cigar Girl’ Mary Rogers, 1841
Mary Cecelia Rogers was born in New York in 1820. Her father died when she was five years of age, and as Mrs. Rogers was left in strained circumstances, she earned a living for herself and her pretty little daughter by conducting a boarding and lodging house in Nassau Street. As Mary grew older she assisted her mother about the house.

She developed into an extremely beautiful young woman of the brunette type. She was rather tall; her form was exquisitely symmetrical; her features were regular; her complexion beautiful and she had a wealth of jet black hair. Added to these physical charms, she possessed a pleasing manner which made her a host of friends and admirers.

She attracted attention wherever she went and finally John Anderson, who conducted a large retail cigar store on Broadway near Thomas Street, heard of her marvelous beauty and conceived the idea of employing her both as a clerk and as an attraction. This was in the early spring of 1840, and Mary was twenty years of age at the time.

Welcome to HistoricalCrimeDetective.com [Est. 2013], where you will discover forgotten crimes and criminals lost to history. This blog is the official website for true crime writer Jason Lucky Morrow, author of four books including the popular series: Famous Crimes the World Forgot, Volume I and Vol...