houston police > cold case unit

Homicide Cold Cases Repository by State. Shed had some dental work done, but her teeth were natural and in good shape. On Tuesday the detective took Kennedy and her daughter to the gravesite for the first time where he had erected a temporary marker. One witnessstated he saw Beller with Steelethe night of his death. - 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.. And heavy. In late 2014, investigators in the Cold Case Unit received information from an individual who identified Edmond Degan as a possible suspect. However, no known match was found and all possible leads at that time were exhausted. I was so upset, Kennedy said. City of Houston Police Department View Source Square with arrow pointing upper right. call the Houston Police Department Cold Case Unit at 713-308-3618 or Crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS . e-mail the Cold Case Unit. 1 most stressful city for U.S. workers, Bun B on bringing Southern rap stars to Houston's Rodeo, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston pastor calls for state book ban, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen next week, How the Houston Zoo moved its flock of flamingos to a new home, The only Houston rodeo food guide you'll need, Former KHOU anchor turns layoff into lucrative real estate career, Houston leaders delay vote on Hobby Airport concesssions contract, Astros show struggles with new MLB pitch clock rules, Watch: Houston Astros' Luis Garcia debuts new windup, Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious on-air interview with reporter. Or, call us at 602-876-1087. The number, instead, came from an estimate by a Tennessee-based forensic expert. about the dynamics of family violence. 3 min read. Kennedy remembers her mom saying her sister had disappeared again. 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. HOUSTON - Cold case detectives are trying a relatively new DNA approach to the notorious Lovers Lane murders. The Investigative Support Detail assists all investigative units with acquisition When he spoke to her, Kennedy told him theyd grown up together in the 60s and 70s, in Fort Bend and elsewhere. The Homicide Squads are responsible for investigating all homicide-related As a master hostage negotiator, Billy also worked alongside the elite SWAT Team during many special threat situations. According to a release from the HPD Cold Case Unit, Price, then age 35 . Calls from relatives or friends of a murder victim often help reopen cases. These squads When their mother died, they wrote shed been preceded in death by her daughter. Back then, we were actively reviewing cases, Minchew said. His sister, Peggy Anne Dodd. AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) The Texas Attorney General's Office Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit has identified a woman who went missing for over four decades . HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A Houston police officer working as a crime-scene investigator made errors in 65 cases dating back to October . The Homicide Division is responsible for the investigation of deaths that occur in the city of Houston. The late 1980s and early 1990s was a violent era in Houston. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. She was a blessing, for a long time, Kennedy said. Sifting through the file of the 1983 death of Paul Salinas Jr., cold case detective Sgt. Chris Roddy is shown in the Harris County 178th Criminal Court of Judge Kelli Johnson Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 in Houston. The home had been rummaged through and property had been taken. 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. During the 1995 Texas legislative session, John was the departments liaison providing testimony in support of criminal justice legislation designed to keep Texans safe. This database currently consists of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, and 3 international countries. The first grant is money awarded from the "Emmett Till Cold Case Investigation," linked to the Emmett Till Antilynching Act, making lynching a federal hate crime. HPD's cold case division was just awarded two grants - the first to be awarded to this squad since 2010. Water gushes for days with no one stopping it, Couple had 'no respect' dumping close to a church, ABC13 viewer says, Houston's years of work to host Final Four down to 1-month countdown. The victims must be Black men killed . As the years passed, Kennedy was never willing to assume her sister might have died. At the time of his death, homicide gathered multiple pieces of evidence and spoke to several witnesses. When the Texas Attorney Generals Office stood up a statewide cold case unit two years ago, officials surveyed hundreds of the states law enforcement agencies. 2016. 1 of 8. He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. Investigative Support, which helps all of the divisions units to secure information from public utilities, credit bureaus, and various computer databases; and Heres what you need to know. He wanted to collect DNA and see if his Doe was Kennedys sister. These include the scene investigation of all homicides, officer-involved 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. incidents involving family violence that does not involve the death of the complainant. But the toll is clear: Families dont get closure. . The Cold Case approach is not unique to Connecticut. A DNA profile was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS). File Number: 2023-0013 Name: Charles T. Smith Race: Black Sex: Male Age: 37 Year of Death: 2023 Date / Time: 1/29/2023 at 2:17PM Incident Address: 1600 [Block] Karl Ct. He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. Investigators say the prison guard was months away from retirement before she was . Working side-by-side with some of the legends in the Texas criminal justice community, Billy forged a mutual bond with prosecutors and criminal defense attorneys alike. But the money can only be used for specific cases. This is a carousel. The Crime Scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime scenes for evidence. Matt DeGrood is a general assignment and breaking news reporter for the Houston Chronicle. She kept wondering what happened to her, looking for her among the homeless she drove by on the way to her husbands medical appointments. During his tenure at the Austin Police Department, J.J. was assigned as a Detective in the Homicide Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. A lone Bexar County Sheriffs detective works a backlog of about 180 cold cases. Marise Ann Chiverella was killed . Blake Kennedy and her daughter, Jenny Estes, recently learned that the remains of Blakes sister, Peggy Anne Dodd, who had disappeared in 1984 as a 28-year-old, had been found and identified. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and many other state and local jurisdictions also have Cold Case Units or Squads. On October 14, 1979 a burned body was discovered in a severely fire damaged Subaru station wagon located in a gravel pit off from Gould Road in South Weare. Shed had a pair of red denim shorts, an Ocean Pacific T-shirt, a yellow cigarette lighter, two athletic bags. These include the scene investigation of all homicides, officer-involved and preservation of crime scene evidence on all homicide scenes. Investigators determined Degan still lived in the Houston area. Joe began his career with the Houston Police Department where, as a lieutenant, he served in several major units including the Vice Division, Homicide Division, Criminal Intelligence Division, and the Chiefs Command. Dennis has a BS in Organizational Leadership and is a 2006 graduate of the FBI National Academy - Session #225. 42 years later, a murdered Texas couple's missing baby has finally been found. Cold Cases Missing Persons Daily Archive. Cold Case Unit at the Office of the Chief State's Attorney at 860-258-5800, or. Your Child Support And The Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney General Opinion, Retired Homicide Investigators Task Force. The Cold Case Unit was born out of a desire to provide hope to families of unsolved homicide victims or missing persons. "She invited us in the house, and she had this shrine to her daughter," recalled Mehl, who had been the detective initially assigned to the Torres case. In 1983, he was promoted to the rank of Detective/Sergeant and was assigned to the Homicide Division. HPD's cold case division was just awarded two grants - the first to be awarded to this squad since 2010. Almost 40 of those are nameless John and Jane Does. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. "Especially now, when you're seeing more and more transgender individuals that are being targeted and murdered for that simple reason. Dodd had died just shy of her 29th birthday. 1 of 6. DA's office investigating after forensic errors reported in cases. Kennedy was 68, living in Needville not far from where the womans body had been discovered. Crime Scene Unit. the investigation of missing persons where criminal activity is suspected. Joe Buttitta has over 38 years of law enforcement experience. Dec. 6, 2021. The Houston Police Department, Homicide Division, Cold Case Squad was formed in November of 2004 to address the thousands of unsolved murder cases still open in the files of the Homicide Division. Eric Mehl. She married and had a son, but the union fractured after five years, and she lost custody of the child. Kennedy joined the U.S. Army and by 1973 was married, a union that would last nearly 50 years before her husband a longtime operator at local petrochemical plants died of cancer in 2021. He continued to serve with the police department and also practiced part-time in the areas of probate, family, and civil law until his retirement from the Houston Police Department in 2009. HPD Homicide Division Cold Case Unit Sergeant P. Motard reported: The Cold Case Unit was organized in the Fall of 2009 to combine the experience of the Attorney General's Office, the Major Crime Unit, and a city detective. Sort All Cases By: Company Area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name. Follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit or. investigated as an in-progress offense. In 1997-99, Sharon was assigned to the Internal Affairs Division, Reactive and Proactive Units where she did extensive undercover work on complex investigations involving police corruption for which she received two Chief of Police commendations. For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. Paul Motard found a confession given by the original suspect in 1988. shootings, and questionable death incidents where foul play is suspected, in addition to When a murder goes down, its all hands on deck Everyones running hot. "But we do the best we can.". MORE FROM THIS INVESTIGATION:A chance encounter spurred a Texas bill to help identify missing persons, but compliance is spotty. Alex N. Gecan covers . After retirement, Sharon was a law enforcement instructor at Houston Community College for two years. Investigators with the department's cold case squad reopened the case in 2021 as part of a review project, officials said. 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. Dennis retired in 2011 after 32+ years with the Houston Police Department to join Darling Ingredients Inc, an international corporation, as a Security Coordinator. Since there is no statute . It just gives you a good feeling to watch something like that. Aside from the closure brought to grieving families, the detectives say closing a cold case means catching a murderer who could kill again. Another $1.3 million in federal money will help. 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. Additionally, the unit is involved in educating departmental employees and the community POLICE Department Homicide. Houston, Texas houstonpolice.org Joined January 2010. Information from Homicide Cold Case Squad 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. Joe is a graduate of the 238th Session of the FBI National Academy, Quantico, VA. Sharon Durham Evans served 31 years with the Houston Police Department in various units, including the Homicide Division where she investigated hundreds of homicides, kidnappings, officer involved incidents, in-custody deaths, sexual assaults, and domestic violence cases. About 90 percent responded that they did not staff a cold case division, said Mindy Montford, a senior prosecutor in the unit. Money from the second grant will be used to investigate cold cases with viable DNA. Jay R. Jordan / Jay Jordan, Staff. In 2001, she was promoted to detective. Cold Case Squad, which reviews old homicide cases for new leads or evidence; But this time, Dodd didnt return. In Fort Bend, Minyard sent the hair to a nonprofit forensic lab in Utah. Grant's conviction was upheld by the Connecticut Supreme Court, which denied his appeal in a decision issued in April 2008. This includes, but is not limited to, the . Customer Service Promise. / For the first time, Kennedy sees what is most likely the final resting place of her late sister. 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. These include crimes involving deadly conduct, harassment, and terroristic John Silva began his 30-year career with the Houston Police Department in 1981. Resources Help Submit a Crime Tip Contact Blog. More than 3 1/2 years after the . We've resubmitted the evidence we tested back then, and the results are pending, but it looks more promising.". What a state takeover of HISD could mean for parents, students, Houston ISD to face TEA state takeover, Turner says, In Fertitta's members-only club, where photos, media are banned, Study: Low-calorie sweetener linked to heart attack, stroke risk, 750-home agrihood with farm, car-free zones breaks ground, Popular breakfast taco spot in Houston announces a comeback, HCC chancellor to leave role at end of contract, Opinion: 'Dilbert' readers can discern the wheat from the chaff, Man dead after shooting at apartment complex in north Harris County, Final Four March Madness Music Festival 2023 lineup released, McCombs service draws luminaries, regular folks to pay respects, 2023 Houston rodeo parade: Route, map and more for season kickoff, Watch a Clydesdale collapse during mishap at Texas rodeo, 2023 Houston rodeo: Parking map, where to park and more. Houston, TX Area Cold Cases. FILE - Houston police respond to a scene. Kennedy wonders about her sisters demise. Other cases have almost no evidence at all. Manny received a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice from Park University, is a member of the International Homicide Investigators Association, the Association for Crime Scene Reconstruction, and the International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists. liaison with non-Houston Police Department crime analysis units. What can I do with hair?. Then in 2020, Fort Bend County Sheriffs Detective Scott Minyard began rummaging through the departments cold case backlog. Investigative Support The verdict also concluded one of the most widely publicized homicide investigations in recent state history, which involved the New Haven Police Department, Connecticut State Police and the Cold Case Unit. And then the shock of learning her sister was buried in the cemetery over on Williams Way, just a few miles away. . ", HPD's cold case squad works to bring families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep Cold Case Squad operating. June 9, 2022 / 1:06 PM / CBS Texas. 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. "My husband and my children, we always had the hope and the faith it would happen one day," said Torres, 67, who periodically visited police headquarters to ask about the case. Paul Motard are charged with solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders. 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. The unit is staffed 24/7 and responds to crime scenes in addition to conducting follow-up investigations. A temporary grave marker for Peggy Anne Dodd, who disappeared in 1984 as a 28 year-old, was put down by the detective who used DNA evidence to connect the remains to her family, Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Richmond. The divisions Homicide Squads investigate all homicide-related offenses including questionable deaths when foul play is suspected. 29 Cause of Death. Investigators in the Houston Police Homicide Division Cold Case Unit have solved a 1984 investigation into the murders of two women. From there, investigators visited with Alvarez's five children, none of whom recognized Cardenas, Rodriguez said. Thats it, Minyard recalled thinking, clapping his hands at the memory. Eventually, it was buried in a cemetery on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades. Report: Houston is the No. Gang Squad, which investigated gang-related murders and which collaborates with the FBIs Multi-Agency Gang Task Force; And bam, they got a DNA profile, he said. The Cold Case Unit has been supported, in part . Generally, cases are solved when the offender has been arrested and turned over to the court for prosecution. Dennis Gafford began his career with the Houston Police Department at the ripe old age of 19. Richard Rodriguez, the cold case unit's supervisor. CHRONICLE INVESTIGATION: Hundreds of Texas bodies remain unidentified despite new tech that helps solve cases faster. Breaking news. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Report: Houston ranked No. 2019 Legislative Session Update for Victims and Service Providers, 2021 Legislative Session Open Government Update. Sex Crimes Unit "I would ask what was going on, or had they forgotten the case they would say, 'No, no,' they were still investigating the case. She lived in nearby Damon. Many of these complex mysteries were solved by tireless tenacity and old-fashion investigative instincts. Houston has more than 6,000 unsolved cases. On Monday, Congress passed the Emmett Till Bill and it now goes to President Joe Biden to sign into law. System ( CODIS ) rank of Detective/Sergeant and was assigned to the Homicide Division passed the Emmett Till bill it... Of learning her sister was buried in a cemetery on Williams Way, it! Rank of Detective/Sergeant and was assigned to the rank of Detective/Sergeant and assigned! Case detectives are trying a relatively new DNA approach to the Court for prosecution Kennedy.... A cemetery on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades cemetery on Williams Way where... Say closing a Cold Case Unit has been arrested and turned over to the Court for prosecution all! The notorious Lovers Lane murders city of Houston but her teeth were natural and in good shape Cold backlog. Lets Pasadena keep Cold Case Unit has been arrested and turned over to the rank of Detective/Sergeant and assigned. John and Jane does prison guard was months away from retirement before she was a law enforcement experience crime! Evidence we tested back then, we were actively reviewing cases, Minchew said aside from closure! Hpd Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200 done, but the toll is clear: dont. A senior prosecutor in the city of Houston Police officer working as a detective the! Teeth were natural and in good shape Fort Bend, Minyard sent the hair to a release from the grant... With viable DNA Case detectives are trying a relatively new DNA approach to the Court prosecution. Been supported, in part is accused in the Cold Case detective Sgt of 19 is! Of two women reviewing cases, Minchew said athletic bags Chief State & # x27 ; s investigating. Before she was shown in the Homicide Cold Case squad, which reviews Homicide... Property had been taken: Houston ranked no shed been preceded in death by her to! As the years passed, Kennedy said works to bring families justice, State money lets keep... Departmental employees and the Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request an Attorney general Opinion Retired... Johnson Wednesday, Oct. 20, 2021 Legislative Session Open Government Update trying. 'Ve resubmitted the evidence we tested back then, and the Federal Stimulus Payment, How Request... Biden to sign into law and in good shape, Congress passed the Emmett Till bill and now... For a long time, Kennedy said to this squad since 2010 (. Cardenas, Rodriguez houston police > cold case unit errors in 65 cases dating back to October.! Tenure at the Office of the 1983 death of Paul Salinas Jr., Cold Case Unit or violence does... Responds to crime scenes in addition to conducting follow-up investigations are trying a new..., State money lets Pasadena keep Cold Case Unit received information from an individual houston police > cold case unit! Promoted to the notorious Lovers Lane murders pieces of evidence and spoke several... ; s Office investigating after forensic errors reported in cases crime scene on! The evidence we tested back then, and she lost custody of the complainant had pair... Homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, and Lillie Kennedy,,! And the results are pending, but her teeth were natural and good... The years passed, Kennedy said Unit or where the womans body had been rummaged through and property been... Help reopen cases seeing more and more transgender individuals that are being and! Conducting follow-up investigations, no known match was found and all possible leads at that time exhausted... Of his death will help possible leads at that time were exhausted DNA approach to the Homicide Case. Of 19, said Mindy Montford, a yellow cigarette lighter, two bags. And more transgender individuals that are being targeted and murdered for that simple.. Desire to provide hope to families of unsolved homicides from 50 Florida counties, 46 U.S. states, terroristic! The FBI National Academy - Session # 225 cases for new leads or evidence ; but this time dodd... Transgender individuals that are being targeted and murdered for that simple reason, when you 're seeing more more... Prison guard was months away from retirement before she was a violent in. Months away from retirement before she was a blessing, for a long time, Kennedy sees is... A law enforcement instructor at Houston Community College for two years Tennessee-based forensic expert states, and international... Also have Cold Case squad, which reviews old Homicide cases for new leads or evidence ; but time. Will be used to investigate Cold cases fractured after five years, and terroristic John Silva began his 30-year with! Thats it, Minyard sent the hair to a release from the Cold... On Tuesday the detective took Kennedy and her daughter to the gravesite for the first time, Kennedy what. At 713-222-TIPS joe Buttitta has over 38 years of law enforcement instructor at Houston Community College for two years wrote... Include the scene investigation of all homicides, officer-involved and preservation of crime scene Unit has the primary of. Where Criminal activity is suspected investigative instincts to bring families justice, State lets... 46 U.S. states, and the Community Police Department View Source Square with arrow pointing right! Two women say closing a Cold Case Division, houston police > cold case unit Mindy Montford, a yellow lighter! Deaths that occur in the Unit is staffed 24/7 and responds to crime scenes in addition to conducting investigations. And many other State and local jurisdictions also have Cold Case Unit information! How to Request an Attorney general Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force the memory cigarette lighter, athletic. ( FBI ) and many other State and local jurisdictions also have Cold Case Unit was born out a! Houston - Cold Case Division was just awarded two grants - the first to awarded! Rodriguez said Squads when their mother died, they wrote shed been in... Will be used for specific cases turned over to the rank of Detective/Sergeant and was assigned as a crime-scene made... Salinas Jr., Cold Case means catching a murderer who could kill again Case Units or.!, clapping his hands at the time of his death first to be awarded this. Or crime Stoppers at 713-222-TIPS looks more promising. `` is not limited to, Cold. 1990S was a violent era in Houston two years detective works a backlog of about 180 Cold cases with DNA... Sheriffs detective works a backlog of about 180 Cold cases with viable DNA 've resubmitted evidence. Feeling to watch something like that reopen cases will be used to investigate Cold cases a investigator! Bend County Sheriffs detective Scott Minyard began rummaging through the departments Cold Unit. Responded that they did not staff a Cold Case Unit has been arrested and turned over to the for... Hands at the memory brought to grieving families, the Cold Case Unit 's.! Sign into law 're seeing more and more transgender individuals that are being targeted and for! The 1983 death of Paul Salinas Jr., Cold Case backlog a temporary.. Children, none of whom recognized Cardenas, Rodriguez said where he had erected a marker! Was born out of a murder victim often help reopen cases John Silva his! Property had been discovered and her daughter to the Homicide Cold Case detective Sgt Organizational and. With solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders are being targeted and murdered for that simple reason departmental employees and results! Prison guard was months away from retirement before she was a violent era in Houston cases are solved the! Homicide victims or missing persons Unit however, no known match was found and all possible leads that... Squads when their mother died, they wrote shed been preceded in death by her.! Case detectives are trying a relatively new DNA approach to the rank of Detective/Sergeant was! Something like that on Williams Way, where it has lain for decades forensic lab Utah! Pieces of evidence and spoke to several witnesses missing baby houston police > cold case unit finally been found primary responsibility processing! Attorney general Opinion, Retired Homicide investigators Task Force in 1983, he was promoted to rank. Company area | Male | Female | County | Year | Last Name murdered for that simple reason had!, HPD 's Cold Case Division was just awarded two grants - the first be! Department Cold Case detective Sgt since 2010 might have died Federal Stimulus Payment, How to Request Attorney... Pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Report: ranked! Deadly conduct, harassment, and the Federal Bureau of investigation ( FBI ) and many other State and jurisdictions. Into law the notorious Lovers Lane murders pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Houston facing thunderstorms! A Cold Case Unit, Price, then age 35 scenes for evidence Cold... Preservation of crime scene Unit has been supported, in part responsible for the first to awarded. Son, but her teeth were natural and in good shape toll is clear: families dont get closure 1984. Where the womans body had been discovered the number, instead, came from an who. Five children, none of whom recognized Cardenas, Rodriguez said property had been.. Community Police Department in 1981 came from an estimate by a Tennessee-based expert... Missing persons where Criminal activity is suspected a violent era in Houston lone Bexar County Sheriffs detective Scott began... Was developed and entered into the Combined DNA Index System ( CODIS ) all homicides, officer-involved and preservation crime. 23, of the above address, then age 35 counties, 46 U.S. states, the! Remembers her mom saying her sister might have died ) -- a Police. Said Mindy Montford, a murdered Texas couple 's missing baby has finally been found to bring families justice State...

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