Skagit County

Gijsbert Simon “Ben” Kistemaker (Aug 20, 1953 – found dead Dec 25, 1979)

May 24, 2020 By Alice

UPDATE: the Kistemaker Family has given me permission to use Ben’s Death Certificate online which answers two important questions. Please scroll down as there are also mistakes in this certificate of death. ___ In May 1979, Gijsbert Simon “Ben” Kistemaker (26), traveled from the Netherlands to the United States of America. In New York, he […]

The cold case of Vicki Jo Dodd Silves

January 22, 2016 By Alice

The cold case of Vicki Jo Dodd Silves (June 17, 1953 – December 8, 1997) needs more attention. On December 8, 1997, Vicki (44) was found dead on her driveway in the city Concrete, WA. Her injuries were consistent with being inflicted by an edged weapon. The Skagit County Sheriff’s Office investigated this case thoroughly […]

On this website, I write about old, unsolved cases. Most are from the pre-DNA era and are in need of renewed media attention. I only do research and leave the active investigation of these cases to the 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 over 300 cases listed by the victim’s last name. You will find a brief description there as well. The database will always be free to the public to use. You cannot buy ad space on my website, ever.

All writing suggestions that come in by email are added to my to-do list in the order in which they were received. Please be patient. My to-do list is very long but no case gets dropped 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.