About

About ColdCaseIndex

501 Documented Cases
50 States Covered
130+ Years of Cases
346,000+ Estimated US Unsolved Homicides

Our Mission

ColdCaseIndex exists to bring data-driven attention to the crisis of unsolved violent crime in America. With over 346,000 unsolved homicides accumulated since the 1960s and a national clearance rate that has fallen below 54%, the scale of this problem is often invisible to the public.

Our mission is to provide a searchable, structured resource that honors victims by keeping their cases visible. We believe that every unsolved case represents a failure of the system — and that accessible data can help journalists, researchers, advocates, families, and the public push for answers.

What We Document

ColdCaseIndex documents real, verified cases from across the United States, spanning more than a century of unsolved crimes. Our database includes:

  • Homicides — murder cases where the perpetrator has not been identified or convicted
  • Missing Persons — individuals who disappeared under suspicious circumstances and remain unaccounted for
  • Unidentified Persons — victims whose remains have been found but whose identity has not been established
  • Serial Killer Victims — cases involving confirmed or suspected serial perpetrators
  • Suspicious Deaths — deaths ruled as accidental or natural that remain contested or uninvestigated
  • Multiple Homicides — cases involving multiple victims in a single incident

Status Definitions

Each case is assigned one of four status designations:

  • Unsolved — No arrest has been made and the perpetrator has not been identified
  • Arrest Made — A suspect has been arrested but trial is pending or ongoing
  • Conviction — A perpetrator has been convicted, though the case may still be disputed
  • Partially Solved — Some elements have been resolved but the case remains incomplete

Data Sources

Case details are compiled from publicly available records including:

Methodology

Each case in our database has been individually verified against at least one public source. We do not document cases based solely on internet rumors or unverified claims. Where details are uncertain, we note that uncertainty in the case summary or use conservative descriptions.

Ages, dates, and locations are presented as documented in official or major media sources. In some older cases, exact details may be lost to historical record — we present what is documented while acknowledging gaps.

Important Notice

ColdCaseIndex is a research tool, not a platform for speculation or vigilante action. We present facts as documented in official sources. We do not speculate about suspects or publish unverified accusations.

If you have information about an unsolved case, contact local law enforcement or the FBI tip line:

  • FBI Tips: tips.fbi.gov
  • FBI Tip Line: 1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324)
  • NamUs (Missing/Unidentified): namus.nij.ojp.gov
  • Missing persons: National Center for Missing & Exploited Children: 1-800-THE-LOST (1-800-843-5678)

Contact & Corrections

If you believe any information in our database is inaccurate or outdated, or if you are a family member who wishes to have a case updated or removed, please reach out through the official channels listed above. We are committed to accuracy and respect for victims and their families.