Attorney General Hanaway Partners with Law Enforcement: Launches Cold Case Cards

• Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway launched a Cold Case Playing Cards program in partnership with various law enforcement agencies.
• The playing cards, distributed in Missouri Department of Corrections facilities, feature details of unsolved homicides, missing persons, and unidentified remains.
• The initiative aims to generate new leads by encouraging incarcerated individuals and the public to provide information.
• Over 25 states have participated in the FBI's broader program, which has successfully revitalized cold cases.
• The Attorney General's Office Cold Case-SAKI Section supports law enforcement in investigating and prosecuting violent cold crimes, leveraging forensic science.

By making these cards accessible within state prisons, the program offers incarcerated Missourians a unique opportunity to contribute to achieving justice for victims and their families.

Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway has announced a significant collaboration with various law enforcement agencies across the state to introduce an innovative Cold Case Playing Cards program. This initiative, unveiled in Jefferson City, Missouri, is designed to generate new leads and shed light on long-unsolved cases. The Attorney General emphasized that resolving these cold cases is crucial for providing much-needed closure to families who have endured the pain of uncertainty for years.

The program involves the distribution of specially designed playing cards throughout facilities operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC). Each card serves as a visual appeal, featuring a photograph and specific details pertaining to an unsolved homicide, a missing person, or a case involving unidentified human remains. The strategic placement of these cards aims to encourage individuals within the correctional system who possess vital information to come forward and assist investigators in their ongoing efforts.

Attorney General Hanaway underscored her office's commitment to justice, stating that they are proud to work alongside the FBI and other state agencies. This partnership is dedicated to uncovering new information that could potentially break open these challenging cases. The Attorney General affirmed that every available resource would be utilized to ensure justice for Missouri families affected by these tragic, unresolved situations.

The Cold Case Playing Cards initiative represents a broad partnership, with Attorney General Hanaway partnering with law enforcement agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Missouri State Highway Patrol, and the Missouri Department of Corrections, alongside numerous other local law enforcement bodies throughout Missouri. This collaborative model is not unique to Missouri; the FBI's program has seen participation from over 25 states nationwide, successfully revitalizing numerous cold cases and, in some instances, leading to definitive resolutions.

Chris Ormerod, the FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge, highlighted the introduction of the second edition of these Missouri Cold Case Playing Cards. He acknowledged the prolonged suffering of families awaiting justice in cases of unsolved homicides, missing persons, or unidentified remains. Ormerod affirmed the FBI's unwavering commitment to dedicating its full resources to solving these cases, viewing the playing card initiative as a valuable method for generating additional investigative leads.

Echoing this sentiment, Colonel Michael A. Turner of the Missouri State Highway Patrol reiterated his agency's dedication, along with its law enforcement partners, to providing answers to the families and friends impacted by unsolved crimes. Colonel Turner characterized the Cold Case Card program as an effective instrument for cultivating new leads and unearthing critical information, which could significantly advance these cases toward resolution.

A key component of this initiative involves the Missouri Department of Corrections, which plays a pivotal role in distributing the cold case playing cards within its facilities. Valarie Moseley, the Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Corrections, emphasized that solving cold cases demands a combination of persistence, ingenuity, and extensive collaboration. This collaboration, she noted, extends beyond state, local, and federal agencies to include all Missouri residents who might hold crucial pieces of information. By making these cards accessible within state prisons, the program offers incarcerated Missourians a unique opportunity to contribute to achieving justice for victims and their families.

The Attorney General’s Office further supports these efforts through its Cold Case-SAKI Section. This specialized team provides assistance to law enforcement agencies across Missouri, focusing on the investigation and prosecution of unsolved homicides and other violent crimes. The section employs a fresh perspective on cold cases, leveraging advancements in forensic science to bring new focus, direction, and potential resolution for the loved ones of victims. The ultimate goal of this section is to deliver a measure of justice and closure to those left with unanswered questions, while simultaneously holding violent crime perpetrators accountable.

Members of the public who possess any information pertinent to current cold cases are strongly encouraged to come forward. They can contact the Public Toll-Free Automated Tipline at 844-458-6622 or send an email to missouricoldcase@fbi.gov. A comprehensive list of the cold cases featured in the initiative is also available, organized by region, and the playing cards can be downloaded in JPG format.

Source: Original reporting on Missouri's cold case initiative.