YAKIMA, Wash.- The Yakima Police Division says since 1974, there are simply shy of 70 chilly case murders ready to be solved.
In July of 2023, three retired law enforcement officials and a former decide have devoted their lives within the Chilly Case Unit to seek out solutions to questions households of victims nonetheless have.
“A number of occasions we’re nonetheless trying into these instances,” says YPD Lieutenant Chad Janis, “however we simply have not had the time to sit down down and name a member of the family and say ‘hey, you are still vital to us. We’re nonetheless working for justice for you.'”
The Chilly Case Unit follows up on leads that went chilly and attempt to discover new witnesses or proof.
Typically, a part of the method is operating previous proof via new know-how.
“One development that has occurred within the final 20 years is how a lot DNA has superior,” says Lt. Janis. “We will now do family tree on a few of these instances. The flexibility to develop a DNA profile is so a lot better at the moment than it was even 10, 15 or 20 years in the past.”
Almost a 12 months from its inception, the unit has but to shut a case, however that was to be anticipated.
The instances went chilly as a result of all leads had run out. However giving it one other shot helps each the households affected and the detectives working them.
“As time goes by, you simply get extra work and extra instances, so it was straightforward to systemically neglect these chilly instances,” says Lt. Janis. “However they carry these instances with them all through their profession.”
The Chilly Case Unit’s work to seek out solutions has moved to incorporate public suggestions in hopes somebody might know what occurred.
As soon as a month, YPD posts to social media reviewing a chilly case. In recreating the scene and speaking to witnesses, the hope of discovering somebody with extra info is the objective.
Lt. Janis says if a beloved one is lacking, to name police instantly. The concept of getting to attend 24 hours is fallacious and police can start investigating as quickly as a report is filed.
