About

About ColdCaseIndex

911 Documented Cases
50 + DC 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 cases from across the United States, spanning more than a century. The database focuses on unsolved cases, and also includes historically significant crimes that were later solved — landmark cases that shaped forensic science, legislation, and public awareness. 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 carries a status designation:

  • 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
  • No Conviction — The circumstances or the person responsible are known, but no one was convicted (for example, an acquittal or a declined indictment)

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)

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a cold case?

A cold case is a criminal investigation that remains unsolved and is no longer being actively pursued, usually because investigative leads have been exhausted. Cases can be reopened when new evidence, witnesses, or forensic technology emerges — advances in DNA analysis and forensic genealogy have solved cases that were cold for decades.

Where does the data on ColdCaseIndex come from?

Case details are compiled from the publicly available records listed under Data Sources above: the Murder Accountability Project, FBI UCR data, NamUs, law enforcement press releases, court documents, and verified reporting from established news organizations.

Can I submit a tip about a case through ColdCaseIndex?

No. ColdCaseIndex does not collect or forward tips. If you have information about a case, contact the FBI at tips.fbi.gov or 1-800-CALL-FBI, submit information to NamUs for missing or unidentified persons cases, or contact the local law enforcement agency handling the case.

Why are some solved cases included in the database?

The database focuses on unsolved cases, and also documents historically significant crimes that were solved — landmark cases that shaped forensic science, legislation, or public awareness. Each case shows a status label such as Unsolved, Conviction, or No Conviction so the distinction is always visible.

How often is the database updated?

The database is reviewed and expanded periodically. Case statuses are corrected as new developments are documented in public sources, and new cases are added over time.

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 email info@coldcaseindex.com. We are committed to accuracy and respect for victims and their families.