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Defrosting Cold Cases

Est. 2009

  • Cold Case Database: Index and Summaries
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You are here: Home / Archives for 2021

Archives for 2021

Aftershock by Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell

February 16, 2021 By Alice

Aftershock Melinek and Mitchell

Aftershock by Judy Melinek and T.J. Mitchell is the second book in the Dr. Jessie Teska mystery series. I have not read the first one so this review concerns Aftershock only and does not reflect on the series as a whole. Leopold Haring, one of the world’s most famous architects, is found dead on a […]

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Filed Under: Book Reviews Tagged With: Book Reviews, Judy Melinek, T.J. Mitchell

The Peterson Murders

February 15, 2021 By Alice

The Peterson Murders

Henry W. and Ann M. Peterson were found murdered in their two-bedroom apartment around 10am on April 3, 1978. They worked as on-site residential managers of the 36-unit Canterbury Apartment complex on 875 Liberty St, SE in Salem, Oregon. Henry Peterson had retired from the US Army Corps of Engineers. They were ‘avid bowlers, square […]

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: Ann M. Peterson, arson, Henry W. Peterson, Knife Attack, M-Vac Systems, Oregon, salem, the Petersons, touch DNA

John David Watson Jr (1959 – 1974)

February 12, 2021 By Alice

John David Watson Jr.

John David Watson Jr (Oct 18, 1959 – May 2, 1974) was fourteen years old when he left his home in Wheeler, Pennsylvania, around 9pm on May 2, 1974. He never came back home. He was found murdered on May 3, 1974. His murder was never solved. While reading up on his case, I found […]

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: gun powder residu, gunshots, John David Watson, M-Vac Systems, Pennsylvania, touch DNA

William Arthur Haynor (1941 – 1975)

February 8, 2021 By Alice

William Arthur Haynor

William Arthur Haynor‘s daughter was just nine years old when her dad was shot in his chest with 5 bullets from a .22 caliber pistol. His granddaughter is wondering if, with modern technology and the power of the Internet, there is anything that we can do to raise awareness that her granddad’s murder was never […]

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: gunshots, Texas, William Arthur Haynor

Sophie Sergie: Hearing Day 4

February 6, 2021 By Alice

Sophie Sergie tiled background

On Friday, Feb 5, the evidence hearings in the 1993 murder of Sophie Sergie continued. Gun Steven H. Downs’ former girlfriend Katherine deSchweinitz Lee testified through videoconference in court: according to her Steve did not own a gun during the years they dated at Alaska State University (ASU) and they dated for about 4 years. […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Alaska, DNA, M-Vac Systems, Sophie Sergie, touch DNA

Sophie Sergie: Hearing Day 3

February 4, 2021 By Alice

Sophie Sergie tiled background

The defense team of Steven H. Downs led by Attorney James Howaniec, filed 11 motions in the 1993 murder of Sophie Sergie. I previously wrote nine motions so this is a correction. All the hearings did start on Feb 1, 2021, a delay from April 2020 due to the pandemic. Two things dominated this day: […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Alaska, DNA, Sophie Sergie

Sophie Sergie: Hearing Day 2

February 3, 2021 By Alice

Sophie Sergie

The case against Steven H. Downs in the 1993 murder of Sophie Sergie may not be as airtight as the authorities had hoped. They had to admit that they made mistakes. The mistakes affect the search warrants that were used at Downs’ home to find a gun and the cheek swab to collect DNA for […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Alaska, DNA, Sophie Sergie

Sophie Sergie: evidence hearing

February 2, 2021 By Alice

Sophie Sergie

Yesterday, an evidence hearing took place in the 1993 murder of Sophie Sergie in Fairbanks, Alaska. The Crime Steven H. Downs (now 46) faces two felony counts for Sophie’s murder. According to the authorities, Sophie was shot in the back of her head with a .22-caliber gun. Police found such a caliber gun in Downs’ […]

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Filed Under: Cold Case News Tagged With: Alaska, DNA, Sophie Sergie

The Unclaimed

February 1, 2021 By Alice

Photography Simon Folkard Rose

Introduction One day, we all pass away. Most of us prepare for that moment. We do not wish to burden our loved ones and friends with costs when they take care of our remains. We get life insurances, some look into buying burial plots, and others make an extensive inventory of items and bequests to […]

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Filed Under: Case of the Month Tagged With: DNA, National databases, Unclaimed remains

Otha Liggins III (1971 – 1999)

January 21, 2021 By Alice

Otha Liggins III (Dec 17, 1971 – June 13, 1999) was shot to death around 5am on June 13, 1999, near the Club Casino, East St. Louis, Missouri. He died from one single gunshot to his chest. The motive was robbery. Stolen from Otha were: his golden necklace with a diamond medallion pendant that spelled […]

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Filed Under: Unsolved Tagged With: gunshot, Missouri, Otha Liggins III

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Dina Fort

Author Notes

Since 2009, I write about unsolved cases that need renewed media attention. I only do research and leave active investigations to the authorities.

My posts cover homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to unsolved cases.

On book reviews: I only review select works of true crime, crime fiction, and historical fiction/mysteries. The stories have to fit my website's theme, tone, and research. It is my prerogative to not review a book. Please check the FAQ page for more.

My databases are free to the public. Cases are sorted by the victim’s last name.

If you have any questions about my website please check the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) page, the About page, and the tabs in both menu bars. If you cannot find the answers there, please contact me.

Thank you,

Alice de Sturler

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