FAQ About Cold Cases and Breakthroughs

There have been several notable cases where cold cases were solved after many years, often through a combination of new evidence, technological advancements, or the dedication of investigators. Here are a few examples:

• Golden State Killer: The Golden State Killer, also known as the East Area Rapist and Original Night Stalker, terrorized California from the 1970s to the 1980s. The case remained unsolved for decades until 2018 when DNA evidence led to the arrest of Joseph James DeAngelo, a former police officer.
• Zodiac Killer: The Zodiac Killer operated in the late 1960s and early 1970s, leaving a series of unsolved murders and cryptic messages in California. While the case remains officially unsolved, in 2020, a breakthrough occurred when a team of investigators claimed to have identified a suspect named Gary Francis Poste, who had died in 2018.
• Atlanta Child Murders: In the late 1970s and early 1980s, a series of child murders occurred in Atlanta, Georgia. Wayne Williams was arrested and convicted for two of the killings, but many cases remained unsolved. In 2019, Atlanta authorities announced the reopening of some of the cases with the aim of solving them using advancements in forensic technology.
• Jacob Wetterling: Jacob Wetterling was abducted in 1989 in Minnesota at the age of 11. The case remained unsolved for nearly three decades until 2016 when Danny Heinrich confessed to abducting and killing Jacob. Heinrich led authorities to Jacob's remains, bringing closure to the case.
• The Murder of Peggy Hettrick: In 1987, Peggy Hettrick was found murdered in Fort Collins, Colorado. The case remained unsolved for over a decade until DNA evidence reexamined in 2008 led to the exoneration of Tim Masters, who had been wrongfully convicted. The DNA evidence pointed to another suspect, ultimately leading to the arrest and conviction of another individual, not long after Masters' release.