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A Maine Murder by Leola McBreairty Cochran

July 14, 2020 By Alice

The book ‘A Maine Murder’ by Leola “Lee” McBreairty Cochran is dedicated to Michael Craig Cochran (Oct 4, 1956 – Feb 18, 1981), Lee’s beloved son. The book is a tremendous case encyclopedia detailing every step that Lee had to endure to receive a part of the truth and some justice for her son. The […]

Case of the Month: Theresa Marcelina Ramirez

July 1, 2016 By Alice

Theresa Marcelina Ramirez (Oct 8, 1958 – Dec 4, 1993) features as Case of the Month for July. She was found murdered in a burning field around 840am on December 4, 1993 in Roswell, New Mexico. Theresa has no web presence. Lucky for me, her family saved a newspaper clipping (see below). The picture isn’t […]

Remembering Dottie & Bob Tidwell

July 20, 2015 By Alice

Remembering Dottie & Bob Tidwell who were murdered on November 23, 1983. The couple was found in their Roanoke, Texas, home. Their house was set on fire to cover up what had been done and to get rid of evidence. The case is unsolved. Dottie Rowden Tidwell and Robert (Bob) Tidwell lived in the Oak Country Estates in […]

I am a true crime writer who analyses old, unsolved cases from the pre-DNA era. I try to raise awareness for those cases as they need renewed media attention. I only do research. I leave the active investigation of these cases to professionals.

My posts are about homicides, missing and unidentified people, wrongful convictions, and forensics as related to these 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 and research. It remains my prerogative to not review a book.

My database has more than 300 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. My research and the database will always be free for the public to use. You cannot buy ad space on my website, ever.

All case suggestions that come in by email for writing considerations are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient as my to-do list is very long. No case gets dropped from those lists and I will get back in touch.

Defrosting Cold Cases is NOT an organization. It is my brainchild.

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 still cannot find the answer there, please contact me.

Thank you, Alice de Sturler

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On March 31, 2016, an evidentiary hearing was held to request touch DNA testing. On July 18, 2016, Judge Whitehead denied that request.

On November 23, 2016, an appeal was filed with the Florida Supreme Court. On April 21, 2017, the Florida Supreme Court denied the request for touch DNA analysis.

On May 8, 2017 a motion for a rehearing with the US Supreme Court was filed. It was denied November 13, 2017.

In the summer of 2019, the appeal for DNA testing to the Florida Conviction Integrity Unit was denied.