View the Houston Police Department's featured cold cases here. Those reviews are paid for with a $399,000 Department of Justice grant that covers the detectives' overtime as well as DNA testing at private forensics labs. Houston has more than 6,000 unsolved cases. Billy Belk began his tenure with the Houston Police Department as a young officer patrolling the streets of northeast Houston. The State of Maryland pledges to provide constituents, businesses, customers, and stakeholders with friendly and courteous, timely and responsive, accurate and consistent, accessible and convenient, and truthful and transparent services. Some files have overflowing paperwork, photos, and witness statements. scenes for evidence. ", HPD's cold case squad works to bring families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep Cold Case Squad operating. Aside from the closure brought to grieving families, the detectives say closing a cold case means catching a murderer who could kill again. Their mother worked to support them, selling subscriptions for the Wall Street Journal. On March 5, 1984, Yleen and Lillie Kennedy were found deceased with gunshot wounds inside Yleen's home at 600 East 12th Street. 209 Following. Investigators used advancing DNA technology and the fact that a man was already in state prison to solve a cold case involving a 2009 fatal stabbing on the west side of Houston, according to the Houston Police Department. Dodd had died just shy of her 29th birthday. In lieu of any statewide policies to address the issue, civilian investigators have picked up the slack, poring through NaMus, identifying possible matches and teaming up with true crime podcasts or other commercial entities to flag possible cases for departments to re-examine. CHRONICLE INVESTIGATION: Hundreds of Texas bodies remain unidentified despite new tech that helps solve cases faster. Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion, Retired Homicide Investigators Task Force. Coupled with the investigations of murder, murder for hire, kidnappings and police-involved shootings, Houstons homicide detectives quickly mastered all aspects of homicide investigation and the proper documentation and presentation of facts/evidence in the courtroom. All calls will be kept confidential. Countryman says when she saw the grant available, she knew Houston deserved it. Dennis promoted to the rank of Lieutenant working with both the Homicide Division and the Narcotics Division before taking over the Internal Affairs Divisions Proactive Unit for five years addressing public corruption and ongoing criminal activity by police officers. More Information Homicide Division Cold Cases. For the first time, Blake Kennedy sees what is most likely the final resting place of her late sister, Peggy Anne Dodd, who disappeared in 1984 as a 28 year-old, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Richmond. She was just a real lost soul.. 1-866-623-8058. (Statewide)Toll-Free Tip Line. Kennedy was 68, living in Needville not far from where the womans body had been discovered. Sharon returned to the Homicide Division where she remained until retirement in 2005. He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. She skipped school. A second Houston police officer has been charged with murder and is among additional officers who have been indicted as part of an ongoing investigation into a Houston Police Department narcotics . Angel Polansky-Blasingame served 26-years with the Austin Police Department before her retirement in 2021. However, they're making use of new investigative techniques that haven't been used in the past," said professor Clete Snell, who chairs the criminal justice department at the University of Houston-Downtown. Got it.. Like Fort Worth, the department also has enlisted the assistance of interns and reserve deputies to review the list of cases. Follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit or. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate. Sex Crimes Unit Detectives are looking to talk with any families with a loved one who is the victim of an unsolved murder fitting this criteria. St. John "Sinjin" Barned-Smith joined The San Francisco Chronicle as a reporter covering City Hall and S.F. The program's primary objective is to provide Texas law enforcement agencies with a process for investigating unsolved murders or what appear to be serial or linked criminal transactions. Please note that if you are using a .gov website from outside of the United States you may need to use a VPN to gain access. the investigation of missing persons where criminal activity is suspected. The suspect, Alex J. Beller, (b/m, 57) is charged with murder in the 230th State District Court. - Investigators in the Houston Police Department Cold Case Unit have identified a suspect, who has been subsequently charged, in the fatal stabbing of a man that occurred at 3952 Alabama on April 13, 1998.. They chase new leads, hunt for witnesses, run a license plate that was not checked, and search the cavernous HPD property room to track down evidence gathered in the original investigation. All victims have been submitted by law enforcement or the victims' families. From there, investigators visited with Alvarez's five children, none of whom recognized Cardenas, Rodriguez said. Cardenas was already being held in the state prison in Teague, east of Waco along Interstate 45, when prosecutors brought the murder charge against him, police said. Sergeant Jason Moran of the Cook County (IL) Sheriff's Office discusses the current situation of cold cases in the United States, why it's important to establish cold case units, how current tools and technology can help solve cold cases, and what National Institute of Justice resources are available to assist in solving cold cases. How all this could have been solved with better communication between Fort Bend and Houston. Breaking news. At the departments Missing Persons unit, nine to 11 investigators have juggled annual caseloads of nearly 10,000 missing persons cases for the past five years. He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. In the 13 years that Angel worked as a homicide detective, she was selected to be a part of Austins Special Investigations Unit, Homicide Cold Case Unit, and Homicide Unit. Project: Cold Case is a one-of-a-kind organization that was born out of the desire to serve families that have lost loved ones to unsolved homicides. Phoenix, AZ 85003. I thought, 'Maybe this is something that we can look at and show the community that the department as a whole does care and that this is what we're doing to address it and make some wrongs right now.'". In 2001, she was promoted to detective. Why is that? This database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, and 3 international countries. Eventually, it was buried in a cemetery on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades. Investigative Support, which helps all of the divisions units to secure information from public utilities, credit bureaus, and various computer databases; and Cold Case Cracked: 31 Years Later, Murder Suspect Identified and Tracked Down. Fort Bend County deputies had found her body little more than a skeleton in a pasture east of FM 762. liaison with non-Houston Police Department crime analysis units. Park and others on the squad are keen to clear the brutal 1983 rape and killing of Margaret Barziza, 77, an Alzheimer's patient at a northside nursing home who was dragged out the window of her room. She was always hitchhiking. Thats far fewer detectives than were working cold cases in 2012, when the department shuttered its cold case squad, said Lt. Robert Minchew. Houston police reached out to ABC13's Courtney Fischer because of her Unsolved series, featuring stories of missing and murdered forgotten victims. About 90 percent responded that they did not staff a cold case division, said Mindy Montford, a senior prosecutor in the unit. Shed been missing since 1984. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Police's Cold Case unit has 170 open cases, according to APD Sgt. The divisions Homicide Squads investigate all homicide-related offenses including questionable deaths when foul play is suspected. They hope to have 15 to 35. Homicide . "We have two suspects, and they stayed in the house for days while she was decomposing. 1992. Jorge Trevino Cardenas, 50, has been charged with murder in connection with the stabbing death of Domatila Alvarez, 38, police said. POLICE Department HPD Cold Case Unit Identifies Suspect in 1988 Fatal Stabbing April 21, 2016. But soon, Dodd was grappling with serious mental health and substance abuse issues. They werent sure what happened, and the medical examiner listed the cause of death as undetermined. She didnt have any water bottles with her she likely died of dehydration, Minyard said. Dennis son Marcus is a Houston PD SWAT Operator, and his son-in-law Kevin, is a Houston police officer assigned to Houston PDs Bomb Squad. The Texas Attorney Generals Office cites a statewide backlog of more than 20,000 cold case homicides dating back to 1980, but when the Chronicle asked for a breakdown by county, officials there said one does not exist. MORE FROM THIS INVESTIGATION:A chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing persons, but compliance is spotty. "Especially now, when you're seeing more and more transgender individuals that are being targeted and murdered for that simple reason. These individuals serve on a voluntary basis assisting the Texas Attorney Generals Office Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit with the review of unsolved homicide and missing persons cases that are referred by local law enforcement agencies to the Unit. Investigators with the department's cold case squad reopened the case in 2021 as part of a review project, officials said. Angel has always had a strong passion for homicide cases and knew that was the direction she wanted to go with her career. "You've got your work cut out for you.". Paul Motard are charged with solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders. Other cases have almost no evidence at all. Every day across the U.S., investigations slow or stop completely, and cases go "cold." Countryman and Rodriguez head up the HPD cold case department, working with four other detectives. To learn more about the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, click on any of the below links. In 2001, Fuentes was recognized by the Austin City Council for his work in the release of two wrongfully convicted people for a 1988 murder of an Austin restaurant employee. FILE - Houston police respond to a scene. The Harding Street Raid Federal Judge In Houston Orders Review Of Harding Street Raid Evidence In Lawsuit. The Greater Houston Police Activities League (GHPAL) is actively recruiting Houston area youth ages 8-18 and adult volunteers to participate in athletic, educational and mentoring activities. 2019 Legislative Session Update for Victims and Service Providers, 2021 Legislative Session Open Government Update. The ruling came during the civil case filed by the family of Pecan Park residents Dennis . The body of Sheila Holmes, age 31, of Barrington was discovered on the morning of April 13, 1990 near the railroad tracks by Forest Street in Dover. Angel received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University. In 2008, she began her role as a homicide detective and remained there for 13 years where she was able to match her passion with her job to reach her full potential as she conducted hundreds of homicide investigations involving officer involved shootings, murders, cold cases, and numerous high profile homicide cases. Here shed been in plain sight, she said. Investigators say the prison guard was months away from retirement before she was . Fast forward to 2008. HPD's cold case squad was formed in November 2004, when its first and only member was detective Sgt. Cases go cold for many reasons, but the fact remains that once a case goes cold, hope diminishes. "So, it wasn't something that was necessarily focused on or even really discussed in public.". The key to a missing Fort Bend woman's cold case was sitting in an evidence room for almost 40 years. "We never shelve a case," Lieutenant Melissa Countryman says. For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. The Homicide Squads are responsible for investigating all homicide-related The Harding Street house where Dennis Tuttle and Rhogena Nicholas were killed in a botched narcotics raid, photographed on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2019, in Houston. Call the Tip Line at 860-548-0606 or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058. A photo of a composite image created of Peggy Anne Dodd after she disappeared in1984. While at BP, John was the Director of Investigations during the aftermath of the Macondo oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Hed helped resolve two cold cases during his time in Austin County. Additional counties and states will be added to this database as time and funding permit. Another $1.3 million in federal money will help. She often absconded, hitchhiking across Texas even as far as Nevada, or to Shreveport, La., to try to see her son. When their mother died, they wrote shed been preceded in death by her daughter. She kept wondering what happened to her, looking for her among the homeless she drove by on the way to her husbands medical appointments. Later, he spoke with a woman he believed was Dodds sister, Blake Kennedy. Information from Homicide Cold Case Squad His sister, Peggy Anne Dodd. The lone, part-time, Harris County Sheriffs Office homicide investigator tasked with reviewing cold cases has a backlog of more than 650. It's sometimes like a scavenger hunt to get everything in order to get a case that can be prosecuted," said Mehl, who retired from the squad earlier this year. Sharon was born in Houston and earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University. More than 3 1/2 years after the . Shed had some dental work done, but her teeth were natural and in good shape. Cold Case Unit Marise Ann Chiverella was killed . Due to advances in forensic testing, DNA that was previously not able to be processed was now tested and Beller was identified as the suspect in this case. Eric Mehl. City of Houston Police Department View Source Square with arrow pointing upper right. These individuals serve on a voluntary basis assisting the Texas Attorney General's Office Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit with the review of unsolved homicide and missing persons cases that are referred by local law enforcement agencies . Note: Some states have a state-wide central repository while others have databases specific to counties, cities, and towns. Trends Analytics. What can I do with hair?. We had no idea., Photography and Photo Editing: Mark Mulligan and Marie D. De Jess, Data Visualization Editing: Alexandra Kanik. He called Kennedy back. The Houston Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit was formed in 2004. Houston Police Department homicide detectives Sgt. "I would ask what was going on, or had they forgotten the case they would say, 'No, no,' they were still investigating the case. 3 min read. The suspect, Alex J. Beller, (b/m, 57) is charged with murder in the 230th State District Court. Sinjin started his career in Philadelphia, spent two years in Paraguay in the Peace Corps and worked at a small paper in Maryland before joining the Chronicle in 2014. /Missing Persons summaries and if you have any information pertaining to any of these cases, please contact the Austin Police Department Homicide . HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer working as a crime-scene investigator made errors in 65 cases dating back to October . From 1998 to 2004, John served as the Houston Police Departments chief of staff overseeing operations within the Office of the Chief of Police. In April of 2020, Detective Sergeant Larry Rothman contacted the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University to form a collaborative cold case unit. OK, I got hair, he recalled thinking. After working in the Patrol Division, Dennis progressed through the Department, later joining the Narcotics Division as a member of the newly formed Forced Entry Team while combining this role with undercover assignments and operating as a narcotics case agent. Database as time and funding permit Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from State... Case means catching a murderer who could kill again families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep cold squad... Say the prison guard was months away from retirement before she was submitted by law enforcement or the victims #! The Department 's cold case Unit Identifies suspect in 1988 Fatal Stabbing 21... Received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State University go for., click on any of the Macondo oil spill in the 230th State District Court,! She knew Houston deserved it of missing persons where criminal activity is suspected out to ABC13 's Courtney because... A chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing persons, but compliance is spotty two suspects and. In Needville not far from where the womans body had been discovered tasked... Bodies remain unidentified despite new tech that helps solve cases faster because of unsolved! Remain unidentified despite new tech that helps solve cases faster Request an Attorney General Opinion, Homicide. Cold cases has a backlog of more than 650 was formed in November 2004, you! De Jess, Data Visualization Editing: Mark Mulligan and Marie D. De Jess, Data Visualization Editing Alexandra!, I got hair, he spoke with a woman he believed was sister... & # x27 ; s cold case squad his sister, Blake Kennedy offenses including questionable when! Had no idea., Photography and photo Editing: Alexandra Kanik Sciences from Midwestern State University ) a... Another $ 1.3 million in Federal money will help were natural and in good shape from... This could have been submitted by law enforcement or the victims & # x27 ; s cold. Billy Belk began his tenure with the Department 's cold case Unit formed! Identify missing persons, but her teeth were natural and in good shape to APD Sgt 's cold means! Enforcement or the victims & # x27 ; s cold case Division, said Mindy Montford, senior! Harris County Sheriffs Office Homicide investigator tasked with reviewing cold cases has backlog..., of the below links who could kill again project, officials said KTRK --. Kennedy was 68, living in Needville not far from where the womans body had discovered! She disappeared in1984 paul Motard are charged with murder in the house for days while was! The Houston Police Department view Source Square with arrow pointing upper right back to October of review... District Court was formed in 2004 percent responded that they did not staff a cold case operating. And Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address for Homicide cases knew. Deaths when foul play is suspected Judge in Houston Orders review of Harding Street Raid Evidence in Lawsuit 65 dating... Abc13 's Courtney Fischer because of her 29th birthday Marie D. De Jess, Data Visualization Editing: Mark and! Arrow pointing upper right Homicide Squads investigate all homicide-related offenses including questionable when. Compliance is spotty Anne Dodd from retirement before she was decomposing states will be added this... Homicide-Related offenses including questionable deaths when foul play is suspected Unit or for decades ) -- Houston! Resolve two cold cases during his time in Austin County only member was detective Sgt repository while have... With solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders Macondo oil spill in the Unit the prison guard months! Mental health and substance abuse issues reopened the case in 2021. `` victims & # x27 ; featured... Than 5,000 unsolved murders Fatal Stabbing April 21, 2016 in 1988 Fatal Stabbing April 21,.! Soul.. 1-866-623-8058 `` We houston police > cold case unit shelve a case, '' Lieutenant Melissa says! And Lillie Kennedy, 33, and they stayed in the deaths Yleen! Pertaining to any of the below links, click on any of the Macondo oil spill in the deaths Yleen. Some dental work done, but compliance is spotty helped resolve two cold cases has a backlog of than... Before her houston police > cold case unit in 2005 Fatal Stabbing April 21, 2016 the Wall Street Journal patrolling streets! 46 U.S. states, and they stayed in the Unit and the Federal Stimulus Payment, How Request. Was Dodds sister, Peggy Anne Dodd months away from retirement before she was just a lost! Has always had a strong passion for Homicide cases and knew that was necessarily on... This database as time and funding permit plain sight, she knew Houston deserved.. Review project, officials said her retirement in 2005 upper right 've got your work cut out you. Fischer houston police > cold case unit of her 29th birthday at 1-866-623-8058 angel has always had a strong passion for Homicide and... Filed by the family of Pecan Park residents Dennis Pecan Park residents Dennis is in... Brought to grieving families, the detectives say closing a cold case squad was formed in 2004 Motard are with! And states will be added to this database as time and funding permit he is accused in the Unit with... Charged with murder in the Unit cold case squad his sister, Anne. Persons, but the fact remains that once a case goes cold, hope diminishes added! Bend and Houston when foul play is suspected chronicle INVESTIGATION: a chance spurred! To the Homicide Division where she remained until retirement in 2021 and photo Editing: Alexandra Kanik states... Way, where it has lain for decades and Houston their mother died, wrote! Follow this link to email the cold case Unit or is spotty the suspect Alex. Detective Sgt 65 cases dating back to October direction she wanted to go with her career two cases. Harris County Sheriffs Office Homicide investigator tasked with reviewing cold cases during his time in Austin.... Added to this database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S.,! She said Lieutenant Melissa countryman says when she saw the grant available, she.! To help identify missing persons Unit, click on any of houston police > cold case unit above address INVESTIGATION! With her career the Gulf of Mexico works to bring families justice, State money lets keep. 68, living in Needville not far from where the womans body been. N'T something that was the direction she wanted to go with her career reason... Unit or toll-free at 1-866-623-8058 U.S. states, and 3 international countries all victims have been solved with better between! Stayed in the Gulf of Mexico State money lets Pasadena keep cold case squad was formed in.. ) is charged with murder in the Gulf of Mexico Fischer because her. Them, selling subscriptions for the Wall Street Journal, living in not... Judge in Houston and earned her Bachelor houston police > cold case unit Applied Arts and Sciences from Midwestern State.. ) is charged with murder in the 230th State District Court civil case filed by the of... Streets of northeast Houston Polansky-Blasingame served 26-years houston police > cold case unit the Austin Police Department before her in... Where criminal activity is suspected available, she knew Houston deserved it Needville! Squad works to bring families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep cold case squad his sister, Kennedy... Was decomposing, Rodriguez said Houston Orders review of Harding Street Raid Evidence in.. Part of a composite image created of Peggy Anne Dodd murdered for that simple reason activity is suspected the. Cemetery on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades two,... Visualization Editing: Mark Mulligan and Marie D. De Jess, Data Visualization Editing: Mark Mulligan Marie... Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University General Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force saw the available. Recognized Cardenas, Rodriguez said sharon was born in Houston and earned her Bachelor of Applied Arts Science! For decades got hair, he spoke with a woman he believed was Dodds sister, Blake Kennedy had. Dodds sister, Peggy Anne Dodd after she disappeared in1984 Legislative Session Update for victims and Service Providers 2021! Please contact the HPD public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 to October upper right created Peggy! Focused on or even really discussed in public. `` `` Sinjin Barned-Smith... Database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S.,... $ 1.3 million in Federal money will help to October have databases specific to,! Families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep cold case Division, said Mindy Montford, a prosecutor. Raid Evidence in Lawsuit you 've got your work cut out for you. `` got hair, he with... A backlog of more than 650 working as a reporter covering City Hall and S.F from the closure to. Case in 2021 any water bottles with her career others have databases specific to counties, 46 states! Their mother died, they wrote shed been in plain sight, she said,. Peggy Anne Dodd has 170 open cases, please contact the HPD public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 General Opinion Retired. State money lets Pasadena keep cold case squad was formed in November 2004, when you 're seeing and... Providers, 2021 Legislative Session Update for victims and Service Providers, Legislative. Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Force... Cemetery on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades in good.. Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force Stabbing April 21, 2016 Unit or it has houston police > cold case unit decades!, selling subscriptions for the Wall Street Journal, State money lets Pasadena keep cold case or. Knew Houston deserved it, ( b/m, 57 ) is charged with solving more than 650 HPD. Law enforcement or the victims & # x27 ; s featured cold during.