The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office established a Cold Case Unit in 2005. This Unit is currently staffed by one full time investigator and one part time investigator, and focuses on unsolved homicides, equivocal death investigations and suspicious or unexplained missing persons cases, some of which are decades old.

Cold Cases

All unsolved homicides, equivocal death reviews as well as missing persons reports remain in an “open” status until a suspect is identified, arrested and subsequently prosecuted, determined to be deceased or in the case of missing persons the subject is located. Often people have been named as suspects of homicides and have been “under the umbrella of suspicion,” since the inception of the investigation; however, there is insufficient evidence to bring charges against the suspect. This phenomenon also occurs with missing person cases. It is the responsibility of the Cold Case Unit to review and reinvestigate these cases and attempt to resolve the cases and find justice for the victims, co-victims (families) and friends as well as our community.

Criminologists estimate that in 84 percent of cold homicide cases the killer’s name is already listed in the investigative file. Over time, alliances between friends may fade as well as fear by witnesses. These common occurrences provide additional investigative avenues, which assist authorities in solving the crimes that were unsolved during the original investigation. Advances in forensic science, specifically D.NA., have also provided valuable evidence in cases once thought to be unsolvable.

You Can Help

Your assistance could make the difference in bringing resolution and justice. No matter how small or insignificant you feel your information might seem, please provide it to the Cold Case Unit. All information provided to the Unit is assessed as a part of the bigger picture or entire puzzle. Many times there is only one missing piece needed to bring a case to justice. The Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Office works closely with Crime Stoppers, and any information leading to the arrest and conviction of a suspect may be subject to a reward. You may remain anonymous if you choose. The Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office encourages you to make any information you have about any cold case available to authorities.

If you have information regarding one or more of the following cases, you are encouraged to contact Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office at 303-795-4711, at any time of the day or night, or send an email.