3 min read. HOUSTON - Cold case detectives are trying a relatively new DNA approach to the notorious Lovers Lane murders. Mission and Goals, Statements of Support, Law Enforcement Survey Results, Experts in the area of cold case investigations, genealogy, and forensic science who guide and assist the Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit, Helpful tools for law enforcement agencies including articles, grant opportunities, and other relevant information, Information on available trainings in the area of cold case investigations. The Homicide Squads are responsible for investigating all homicide-related 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. HOUSTON It's one of the biggest unsolved murders in Houston, and now cold case investigators are looking at it from a different angle, hoping new forensic testing could help find the killer . Their mother did all she could to help, she recalled. These include the scene investigation of all homicides, officer-involved 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. The Houston Police Department Homicide Cold Case Unit was formed in 2004. During the past two years, the Cold Case Squad has also assisted numerous other law enforcement agencies with their cases. Cold Case Unit at the Office of the Chief State's Attorney at 860-258-5800, or. "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. All victims have been submitted by law enforcement or the victims' families. Minyard had joined the sheriffs office in 2014 after a career in the U.S. Navy and then stints at law enforcement agencies in Wyoming and Austin County. Sergeant Moran was a participant on an NIJ Saturday . She was just a real lost soul.. View the Houston Police Department's featured cold cases here. 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. Houston Chronicle. Jan. 27, 2023. 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. The newly tested DNA almost immediately showed a match with Cardenas' DNA already on file. Crime Scene Unit. Manny is known across the state for his expertise in digital forensics and has testified as an expert witness in multiple court proceedings. The remains were her sisters. They are unsolved murders, rapes, and missing person cases, some dating back more than half a century. Following his retirement from the Houston Police Department, John worked for BP, a global leader in oil and gas exploration and production. Cold Case Unit Shed been missing since 1984. All calls will be kept confidential. HPD's cold case division was just awarded two grants - the first to be awarded to this squad since 2010. also respond to in-progress kidnappings. He wanted to collect DNA and see if his Doe was Kennedys sister. The Cold Case Unit's motto " We Will Never Forget" is a daily reminder to pursue justice for victims and their families long thought forgotten. The lone, part-time, Harris County Sheriffs Office homicide investigator tasked with reviewing cold cases has a backlog of more than 650. There hadnt been much left; a skull and some other bones scattered beneath the pecan tree, along with the clothing and gym bags. It consists of one lieutenant, two sergeants, two officers, one civilian employee, and three retired officers. . From 1998 to 2004, John served as the Houston Police Departments chief of staff overseeing operations within the Office of the Chief of Police. Police records indicate the detective took the case to local prosecutors, who now acknowledge they approved charges but never filed a murder case against Raymond Yucatan Guzman. Sharon returned to the Homicide Division where she remained until retirement in 2005. In February 2021, Joe retired from TDCJ-OIG as the Deputy Inspector General. 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. I was so upset, Kennedy said. 2019 Legislative Session Update for Victims and Service Providers, 2021 Legislative Session Open Government Update. June 9, 2022 / 1:06 PM / CBS Texas. The Family Violence Unit is responsible for the follow-up investigation of The divisions Homicide Squads investigate all homicide-related offenses including questionable deaths when foul play is suspected. If you have information on an unsolved homicide case or need assistance in this area, please contact Detective Leah Wagner at 817-392 . We've resubmitted the evidence we tested back then, and the results are pending, but it looks more promising.". City of Houston Police Department View Source Square with arrow pointing upper right. Posted Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 5:47 pm CT | Updated Mon, Apr 24, 2017 at 6:00 pm CT. HOUSTON, TX -- Harris County Sheriff's Office Homicide Cold Case investigators have . He is accused in the deaths of Yleen Kennedy, 33, and Lillie Kennedy, 23, of the above address. Thats it, Minyard recalled thinking, clapping his hands at the memory. 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. 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. However, no known match was found and all possible leads at that time were exhausted. A photo of a composite image created of Peggy Anne Dodd after she disappeared in1984. Were it not for Minyard, the case might well have been overlooked. "So, it wasn't something that was necessarily focused on or even really discussed in public.". "We never shelve a case," Lieutenant Melissa Countryman says. Other units within the Homicide Division include: Paul Motard found a confession given by the original suspect in 1988. Copyright 2023 KTRK-TV. DA's office investigating after forensic errors reported in cases. In 2006, Sharon founded a not-for-profit therapy dog organization serving hospitals, first responders and the public during times of crisis and she is still active in this service. You cant do hot cases and cold cases at same time, he said. The victims must be Black men killed before 1979. 1 most stressful city for workers in U.S. Houston rap royalty Bun B on returning to Rodeo for another Takeover, 'Call me a Nazi': Former Houston-area pastor calls for state book ban, Turner: State takeover of Houston ISD could happen as soon as next week, W&P Porter bowl review: A container that makes office lunch easy, Why the Texans should take Bijan Robinson with the No. An extensive investigation was conducted with no suspects identified at that time. The family of the little girl waits and wonders if there will ever be resolution. The Crime Scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime Hed helped resolve two cold cases during his time in Austin County. During his tenure at the Austin Police Department, J.J. was assigned as a Detective in the Homicide Cold Case and Missing Persons Unit. 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. And then the shock of learning her sister was buried in the cemetery over on Williams Way, just a few miles away. A loud knock at her door startled Eulalia Torres. She was pronounced dead at the scene and officers began investigating the circumstances surrounding her death. I never lost confidence they would leave it without a resolution.". Detectives say the crime scene photos are possibly the most horrific they have viewed. According to a release from the HPD Cold Case Unit, Price, then age 35 . 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. Cold Case Unit. Shed had some dental work done, but her teeth were natural and in good shape. 1 of 8. Name. ABC13's Courtney Fischer explains. liaison with non-Houston Police Department crime analysis units. John has a bachelors degree in criminal justice from Northeastern University in Boston, a master's degree in psychology from Sam Houston State University, and is a graduate of the FBIs National Academy. Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer, A picture of Peggy Anne Dodd as a child, far right, is held by her sister, Blake Kennedy, on Tuesday, July 26, 2022, in Damon. Most recently, a review of our records from an arrest and the subsequent recovery of a firearm assisted the Houston Police Department's Cold Case Unit with a case they were working on from 1969. 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. Houston Police Department homicide detectives Sgt. The Task Force evaluates cases and makes recommendations to the Unit about possible investigative leads including items of evidentiary value that could potentially be submitted for forensic testing, witnesses who may still be available to interview, possible suspects who may or may not have been identified, records that could still be obtained, and other relevant information that could be helpful to solving the case. For additional information, please contact the HPD Public Affairs Division at 713-308-3200. The Working Group's report and its recommendations leave no doubt about the urgency of the United States' cold case problem, nor about . Angel received her Bachelor of Applied Arts and Science degree from Midwestern State University. And heavy. The Crime Scene Unit has the primary responsibility of processing all crime scenes for evidence. ", HPD's cold case squad works to bring families justice, State money lets Pasadena keep Cold Case Squad operating. He is charged with two counts of murder in deaths from 2016 and 2017. 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. The suspect, Alex J. Beller, (b/m, 57) is charged with murder in the 230th State District Court. Paul Motard are charged with solving more than 5,000 unsolved murders. Angel Polansky-Blasingame served 26-years with the Austin Police Department before her retirement in 2021. The Houston woman became more alarmed when she realized the two well-dressed men in front of her home were police detectives. This is a carousel. Dodd had died just shy of her 29th birthday. Mona Kazour, Patch Staff. Texas Rangers Top 12 Cold Case Investigations. Its rattlesnake season in Texas. Sometimes a cold case yields surprising results, such as the September arrest of a Houston man who had confessed 22 years ago to killing an 11-year-old boy. "When she heard the news, that we had never forgotten her deceased daughter, she was so happy. Follow this link to email the Cold Case Unit or. Their mother worked to support them, selling subscriptions for the Wall Street Journal. They hope to have 15 to 35. Houston pitmaster goes viral after hilarious TV interview, Houston facing severe thunderstorms, possible tornadoes Thursday, Report: Houston ranked No. Houston Police. The Homicide Division is responsible for the investigation of deaths that occur in the city of Houston. Additional counties and states will be added to this database as time and funding permit. 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