5 Cold Cases That Were FINALLY Brought To Light In 2023

5 Cold Cases That Were FINALLY Brought To Light In 2023

On the 7th of April 1959 Joseph and Elisa bellino welcomed their fourth child into the world they named him Brad and he was the tiniest bundle of joy they had ever laid their eyes on growing up Brad was the baby of the family surrounded by his two older brothers and an older sister despite being the youngest he had a unique connection with his siblings their bond was unbreakable forged through years of shared laughter tears and Mischief.

From a young age Brad was always drawn to Adventure he simply had an insatiable curiosity whether it was trying new things or exploring Uncharted Territory Brad was always up for a challenge.

“He was very outgoing we were both Risk Takers but he was the one to come up with the risk and I was the one to go along with it,” said Don templeman a friend of Brad.

Both Don and Brad were in fact very close it’s not clear at what point they became friends but their friendship likely began after meeting at Boardman Center Middle School where they both were classmates both friends shared a love for adventure and this kept them Inseparable.

They would often ride their bikes around town exploring every nook and cranny they could find one of their favorite spots was the Boardman Mall where they would meet up with friends and catch up on the latest gossip but their thirst for exploration didn’t stop there they were also known to hitchhike occasionally.

The two boys were also interested in rocks and would often visit a rock and gem shop that was near Brad’s house every time they visited they would lose themselves for hours admiring the breathtaking beauty of the rocks and minerals on display.

But it wasn’t just their love for adventure that bound them together they shared a love for baseball and played played in a team under the watchful eye of Dawn’s father who also happened to be their coach it eventually became a regular occurrence for the two boys to spend the night at each other’s houses.

Brad and his friend lived just three miles apart making it easy for them to get together whenever they wanted on Friday nights Dawn would head over to Brad’s house where they would go to the cinema the cinema was just a stone’s throw from Brad’s home and the boys would walk there chatting excitedly about the latest movies and the adventures they had planned for the weekend.

On Saturdays the tables were turned and Brad would go over to Don’s house at Applewood acres for a sleepover the two would spend hours playing games and talking late into the night then on Sunday mornings they would join Don’s family for church an important ritual that brought them all together and strengthened their bond even further.

Afterwards Don’s mother usually drove Brad home and they would say their goodbyes already looking forward to their next sleepover for Dawn and Brad these weekends were a time of pure joy and friendship and they treasured every moment they could spend together the two friends were simply living life to the fullest enjoying their youth and all the adventures it brought.

But then out of nowhere something terrible happened that changed everything school was closed for Easter break on March 31st 1972 which was just fine with the two friends at the time Brad was 12 and Don was 11.

As sixth graders they were eager for some time off and couldn’t wait to spend the day together they soon got together hit the streets of their small town and went about exploring as usual however the boys fun day turned into a creepy experience when they noticed a brown van trailing them wherever they went.

At first they thought it was a coincidence but when they spotted it for the fourth time their playful mood turned into fear sensing danger they quickly decided to head back to Don’s house hoping to escape the mysterious vehicle’s site at the time the sun had also begun to set so it felt wise to return home and unwind after the long day.

But little did they know that their day was far from over as Brad settled in at Don’s place for what was supposed to be a fun night he quickly picked up the phone and dialed home to let his brother know that he was staying over a few minutes after this the phone rang.

Brad’s heart probably sank as his father’s Voice boomed through the receiver demanding that he come home right away following this he reluctantly broke the news to Don that he had to leave and go back home.

As fate would have it Don’s mother was at the grocery store when Joseph Brad’s father called so she couldn’t drive Brad home as she usually did meanwhile Don’s father was bedridden with the flu Leaving Brad with no other option but to leave on his own.

With Darkness setting in and the clock ticking past 7 30 PM Brad decided to walk back to his house he soon Bid Farewell to his friend his smile and waved through the door as he left was the last image Dawn would have have of him alive.

Meanwhile Brad’s Father Joseph stayed out late that night and when he returned from his outing he had no idea that his son was missing he assumed Brad had made it back from his friend’s house and was sound asleep inside exhausted he went to bed around 2 am little did he know his world was about to be turned upside down.

Brad’s mother Elisa on the other hand was away on a work trip to Cleveland on that fateful day completely unaware of the events that were unfolding back home.

The following day April 1st 1972 was a Saturday and Joseph allowed himself the luxury of sleeping in until noon but as he began to move around the house after waking up he quickly realized that something was wrong Brad was nowhere to be found.

With growing concern he dialed the templeman’s home and felt a knot form in his stomach as he heard that Brad had left their house the night before and hadn’t been seen since 7 30 PM Joseph’s heart pounded as he hung up the phone where was Brad he knew he had to act fast to find his son.

He rushed out of the house and began scouring the neighborhood calling out Brad’s name but the more he searched the more desperate and hopeless he felt with every minute that passed Joseph’s anxiety grew more intense by mid-afternoon he couldn’t bear it any longer and dialed the police he reported that his beloved Son was nowhere to be found.

The news of Brad’s disappearance soon spread like wildfire in the small town and when Elisa finally arrived home later that evening she was devastated by the news she could barely believe what she was hearing her son was missing and despite a search that involved the police and countless volunteers there was no sign of him.

Brad’s disappearance soon reached the media and local newspapers joined in the search efforts they published a detailed description of the missing boy hoping that someone would recognize him.

He was described as only four feet eight inches tall and weighed just 80 pounds he had striking blue eyes and short blonde hair that fell just below his ears the last outfit he was seen wearing consisted of blue jeans a blue ski jacket and white tennis shoes with black stripes.

When news of Brad’s disappearance reached his first cousin Tony depolito a police officer in Youngstown he knew he had to help he joined the search efforts in Boardman determined to find his cousin and bring him back home safely.

But despite the efforts of the police and the community it was as if Brad had simply vanished Into Thin Air his disappearance left a void in the hearts of his family and friends and a sense of unease settled over the once peaceful town.

On the morning of April 4th 1972 Paul Smith a sanitation worker began his routine trash collection as he approached the dumpster behind isali’s Dairy Store he noticed something strange.

The dumpster was partially filled and a pair of sneakers was sticking up at an odd angle upon closer inspection he was horrified to find the body of a young boy the boy was covered with cardboard boxes and waste from the store his head was also in a downward position and Paul noticed that a belt was tightly fastened around his neck.

The scene playing before Paul’s eyes was all too much to take in and he immediately called the police who arrived on the scene in no time the officers had a sinking feeling as they peered into the dumpster and laid eyes on the small body lying inside.

It looked like the missing boy they had been searching for but they needed confirmation they contacted Tony who had been helping in the search for his cousin and asked him to help identify the body.

Tony rushed to the scene and with a heavy heart he confirmed the worst the body in the dumpster was that of his beloved cousin Brad following this the body was carefully removed from the dumpster and transported to Southside Hospital in Youngstown for an autopsy.

Tony on the other hand was tasked with the heart-wrenching responsibility of informing Brad’s parents of the devastating news.

“It was terrible for my aunt Elisa and the whole family,” Tony said. “You never get past it you hear about things like this but you never believe it could happen to you or to your family member.”

Dawn was in school when he got the news that his best friend was dead his teacher had given the announcement about Brad’s death the shock and grief hit him like a ton of bricks and he could hardly believe what he had just heard.

As Brad’s loved ones grappled with the shock of his tragic death the results of the autopsy were released the coroner’s report revealed that Brad had been strangled to death and subjected to a heinous form of physical abuse.

It was also estimated that Brad had passed away at 9pm on Saturday April 1st over 24 hours after he was last seen alive the gruesome details of the report only added to the heartache and despair that Brad’s family and friends were already feeling.

Police wasted no time in launching an investigation to find the person’s responsible for this horrific crime as part of the investigation Dawn was summoned to the station they showed him Brad’s clothing and asked if they were the same clothes Brad was wearing when he left Don’s house.

Don confirmed that they were and when shown the belt found around Brad’s neck he identified it as Brad’s own Don couldn’t shake off the thought of the brown van he and Brad had seen on the day of his disappearance he believed that the suspicious vehicle was connected to his best friend’s death.

“I think whoever was in that van waited until he was in a dark spot and took him,” Don said.

As the investigation into Brad’s murder continued the community came together to lay him to rest the funeral was a somber occasion attended by a multitude of people from all corners of the Town pupils from his school parents and teachers alike all gathered to mourn the loss of of the young boy who had been taken far too soon.

The whole town seemed to be United in their grief and the air was Heavy with sadness and disbelief the town was also never the same after Brad’s death.

Dawn and his family could no longer bear the weight of the grief and constant reminders of the tragic incident and so they decided it was time to move on and started afresh in Tennessee away from the memories that haunted them in June 1972 two months after Brad’s funeral they packed their belongings and left Boardman for good.

As days turned into weeks and weeks turned into months the investigation into Brad’s death seemed to be going nowhere despite following up on numerous leads and interrogating several suspects the detectives assigned to the case kept hitting dead ends every step of the way.

“Just not nothing,” Tony recalls of the investigation into Brad’s death.

With time the case grew colder and the hope of finding Justice for Brad faded away in 2001 Boardman former police chief Jeffrey Patterson refused to let Brad’s case go cold he made a bold move by reopening the investigation.

Detectives were sent to the cemetery where Brad was laid to rest and they exhumed his body to collect DNA evidence another of Chief Jeffrey’s significant efforts was taking Brad’s clothes which were kept as evidence in sending them to the state’s Bureau of Criminal Identification and investigation.

Upon inspection forensic scientists found something that left them in shock they discovered DNA that did not belong to Brad the finding brought Renewed Energy to the investigation and the detectives were determined to leave no stone unturned in their pursuit of Justice.

However despite their best efforts the investigation hit a brick wall for several years in 2007 the police chief Jeffrey decided to reassign the k space to two new detectives Jack Nichols and Bob Rupp.

Nichols had grown up in the neighborhood where Brad went missing and had been just 14 years old when the tragic incident had taken place back in 1972 the case had stayed with him all these years and now he had the opportunity to bring Justice to Brad’s memory he vowed to give the case his all.

Both Nichols and Rupp Dove head first into the investigation as soon as it was assigned to them their first task was to sort through the mountains of paperwork and the countless boxes of poorly organized evidence it was a daunting task but the two were determined to make the most of it all.

As they spent hours looking at the files they started noticing the names of seven individuals cropping up repeatedly these seven became Persons of Interest but without concrete evidence they couldn’t be considered suspect X.

However Nichols and Rupp didn’t give up they immediately obtained search warrants and went to work they served the search warrants and collected DNA samples from each of the Persons of Interest.

The samples were then sent to the lab for testing and they hoped to find a match with the DNA found on Brad’s clothes however their hopes were dashed as the lab results came back negative none of the seven were a match.

With this the detectives were back to square one but they refused to give up they kept on combing through the Case Files determined to find any new Clues unfortunately their tireless efforts yielded nothing.

After years of working on the case detectives Nichols and Rupp retired and a new team took over leading the team was the highly experienced Boardman police captain Albert kakasik with a fresh set of eyes and New Perspectives the investigation was about to take a new turn.

Boardman police detectives knew that advanced technology was needed to analyze the DNA found on Brad’s clothing and in 2018 they turned to parabon nanolabs a virginia-based DNA technology company.

Parabon was able to use familial DNA to narrow down the suspects to a group of people with certain physical characteristics or a similar family tree over the next four years the detectives worked tirelessly taking DNA samples from people identified by parabon with possible familial links to The Unknown Subject.

The results of these DNA tests helped them to narrow down their search to specific branches of the extended family tree while also eliminating others in the end all their hard work paid off with the help of DNA tests they were able to zero in on a man named Joseph Norman Hill.

Following this lead detectives worked tirelessly to locate a relative of hills and collect DNA samples for testing after testing the relative’s DNA the result showed that there was a 98.2 percent chance that the DNA found on Brad’s clothes belonged to Hill.

The detectives had finally cracked the case and found the man responsible but there was a major setback Hill the man identified through DNA testing was no longer alive he had passed away in 2019 after a long battle with cancer and to make matters worse his body had been cremated.

With this detectives were unable to carry out any further testing on Hill’s remains to confirm his guilt as the detectives delved deeper into Joseph Norman Hill’s life they couldn’t help but be surprised.

For one the man had remained under the radar all these years but they also discovered that at the time of the murder Hill was 32 and living on Shadyside Drive in Boardman he drove a truck for a bottled water company and relocated to California in 1978 for work.

Interestingly there was no known connection between Hill and Brad’s family leaving detectives scratching their heads Hills only brushed with the law was a 1986 conviction for disorderly conduct and solicitation for a rude act in Los Angeles.

Mahoning County prosecutor Gina degenova was responsible for reviewing the evidence compiled by the Boardman police in Brad’s murder case she and her team carefully combed through every piece of information and found that if Joseph Norman Hill were still alive she would have been confident in presenting the evidence to a grand jury.

It was a huge step forward in the case and the detectives could finally rest easy knowing that their hard work had paid off.

Boardman police chief Todd Wirth disclosed on January 24 2023 during a press conference that Brad’s family had opted not to make any public statements and requested that they be left alone to process the new information and continue their healing process it was a difficult time for them and the last thing they needed was any further disturbance or media intrusion.

Nestled in the Rolling Hills of West Virginia lies a Hidden Gem of a town known as Terra Alta with a population of just over 1400 this small town has a big heart and plenty of charm and it is here our next case takes place but before we get there let’s go back to the beginning.

Jeremiah Watkins was born on August 22nd 1972 in Morgantown Monongalia County and his parents James Edward Watkins and Enid Nicola were Overjoyed to welcome their precious bundle of joy into the world.

Sadly tragedy struck the Watkins family just four years later when Jeremiah’s father passed away leaving Enid to raise their son alone despite the Heartbreak Enid remained strong and devoted to her little boy providing him with all the love and care he needed.

As the years went by it’s not clear if Enid ever remarried but around 1985 she was living in Terra Alta with her two children Jeremiah and a baby girl named Jamie who was only a few months old at the time.

Jeremiah loved his baby sister and nothing filled his heart with more happiness than doting on her he would spend hours playing with her and making her laugh apart from this one more thing brought him pure joy and this was a good old-fashioned Kit Kat chocolate.

Whenever he took a bite of that sweet crunchy goodness he felt like the happiest boy in the world and what better way to work off the calories than by exploring every inch of the beautiful town he called home with his bicycle.

Jeremiah rode through the Hills and Valleys of West Virginia his adventurous Spirit leading him wherever it pleased for Jeremiah life was all about this simple Pleasures the love of family and the beauty of nature however when they least expected it things took a dark turn.

One day Jeremiah set out for his usual play time but never made it back home the exact date is unknown but it was during early November in 1985 as West Virginia was hit by a powerful rainstorm that caused severe flooding.

The aftermath was devastating with roads and bridges left in shambles and authorities struggling to Aid those affected sadly the flooding claimed the lives of over 40 people in the midst of the chaos and destruction authorities began a search for Jeremiah.

But they were hindered by the flood water and despite their best efforts Jeremiah remained missing for many agonizing days.

The search for Jeremiah came to a heartbreaking end on November 12 1985 when deputies stumbled upon a shallow hole near the train tracks in Terra Alta about 30 miles away from Morgantown.

As they peered into the hole their hearts sank as they realized it was the lifeless body of Jeremiah whom they had been searching for initially the officers wondered if the heavy flooding had claimed another victim but upon closer examination they discovered a shocking truth there was a stab wound on the boy’s back.

It was clear that the little boy had met a violent end desperate to find any leads the officers scoured the surrounding area for any clues but the heavy rains in flooding had washed away any potential evidence leaving them with nothing but questions and a heart-wrenching tragedy to unravel.

Enid’s heart shattered into a million pieces when she received the news of Jeremiah’s death she couldn’t comprehend how such a senseless and tragic event could have happened to her son the pain of her loss was immense and she struggled to cope with the reality of never seeing her child again.

The results of the autopsy that was later conducted on Jeremiah’s body showed that in addition to the stab wound that ultimately led to his death he had also suffered a devastating Blow To The Head which had caused a fatal brain bleed.

With this detective soon launched into an intensive investigation to bring the culprit to Justice they interviewed countless people and followed every possible lead but the case remained a mystery despite their tireless efforts the detectives were unable to identify any suspects or make any arrests leaving the case unsolved for years.

As his sister Jaime Grew Older she couldn’t help but wonder about the brother she had barely known.

“I feel like I had a memory or two of him,” Jamie said. “But you know at one how much do you remember?”

When she finally learned the truth about how her brother had died she was simply devastated and from then on she carried the heavy burden of unanswered questions who had done this to her brother why had they done it these were the haunting thoughts that consumed her.

As Jaime became an adult the unresolved murder of her brother Jeremiah continued to weigh heavily on her mind in the early 2000s while attending college she decided to take action and reached out to the authorities for information regarding the case.

Unfortunately the response she received was disheartening the case had long gone cold in the passage of time had made the likelihood of finding the culprit very slim.

In February 2023 an officer of the Preston County Sheriff’s Office us Captain T N ticknell decided to take on the decades-old unsolved murder case of Jeremiah he couldn’t bear the thought of the family being deprived of justice for so long so he dug deep into the old Case Files determined to uncover any overlooked clues that could lead to a breakthrough.

He spent hours pouring over interviews and witness statements until something caught his eye it was the interview of a young man named David Monroe Adams who was only 18 at the time of the murder and lived in Tara Alta.

The captain noticed that Adams’s statement had some inconsistencies and decided to find him to interview him again the inconsistencies he found have remained undisclosed.

Captain tignell’s dedication to solving Jeremiah’s case led him to track down Adams that same February and with the assistance of other law enforcement agencies he conducted several interviews with him.

During one of the interviews Adams confessed to killing Jeremiah and the pieces of the puzzle finally came together Adams had apparently gotten into an argument with Jeremiah over a stolen bicycle and this argument had quickly turned violent.

In a fit of rage Adams hit the boy in the face and then took him to a nearby shed where he fatally stabbed him afterwards he dragged the lifeless body into a shallow hole where it was eventually found.

The confession was a victory for the detectives and they knew that they had finally put an end to the unsolved case that had haunted the community for nearly four decades.

As soon as Adams confessed to the murder of Jeremiah he was immediately arrested and charged with second-degree murder the judge set a bond of one million dollars and he was taken to North Central Regional Jail where he is currently being held.

Following this a deputy reached out to Enid at her apartment informing her that her son’s killer had been caught Enid immediately contacted her daughter Jaime to break the news she was simply overwhelmed with relief and disbelief while Jaime still has lingering questions about her brother’s death the family remains hopeful about finally receiving Justice.

Back in 2011 Hyannis a Charming Seaside town in Massachusetts was buzzing with the Infectious energy of a 31 year old man named Todd Lampley Todd was known for his beaming smile that could lift anyone’s Spirits everyone who crossed paths with him couldn’t resist his warm and welcoming nature.

He was the kind of person who would invite you to hang out with him without a second thought although Todd was not born and raised in Hyannis he had quickly made the town his new home.

Born in 1980 and originally from Mississippi Todd had left his hometown around 2002 in search of New Opportunities and a fresh start upon arriving in Hyannis he quickly made a name for himself with his easy-going nature and passion for barbecues.

Todd’s life was full of love but also full of surprises he had fathered three beautiful little girls each born to a different mother while their names were not known to many there was no doubt that they were the lights of Todd’s life.

Despite the challenges of co-parenting with multiple women Todd remained devoted to his daughters he worked tirelessly to provide for them and every spare moment was spent showering them with love and attention.

Todd also had his fair share of tough times he found himself on the wrong side of the law more than once and had struggled to keep his head above water at times.

But Todd was a fighter and he refused to let his past Define him every time he stumbled he picked himself up and dusted himself off ready to face whatever came his way he was determined to make a better life for himself and those he loved and nothing was going to stand in his way however little did he know that things would soon take a dark turn.

The night of February 27 2011 was just like any other for Todd he was at his home on Fresh Holes Road in Hyannis and was enjoying what was a peaceful evening.

His girlfriend tyasia Warrens who was the mother of one of his daughters and her mother Deborah cook Warren were also staying with him however their daughter was not at home that night.

At around 8 PM a man named Curtis Collins arrived at the couple’s home he was a good friend of Todd after exchanging a warm greeting Curtis was offered a seat at the dinner table where they all enjoyed a mouth-watering meal of chicken and pasta.

As the night wore on the two men moved to the bedroom where they settled in to watch a thrilling basketball game on television.

In the middle of the game Curtis suddenly stood up and made his way to the living room to speak to Taisha leaving Todd alone in the bedroom moments later loud bangs shattered the piece of the evening and it was followed by Todd’s agonizing cries taisha’s heart pounded as she immediately rushed to the source of the noise her mind racing with confusion.

“It all happened so quick I didn’t even hear the gunshots,” said Taisha.

Upon getting to the bedroom she was greeted by a site that would haunt her for Life Todd was standing and he told her that he had been shot with a surge of fear she rushed to him and tried to support him as they fell on top of her in the chaos Todd lost Consciousness and his body went limp.

Curtis soon appeared in the doorway and quickly dialed 9-1-1 his hands shaking as he spoke to the operator at precisely 1004 the first patrol car screeched to a halt outside the house.

Patrolman Peter mirbeck was the first to enter his heart pounding as he prepared for the worst as he stepped inside he quickly made his way towards the bedroom.

There he found Curtis Taisha and her mother huddled around Todd who lay motionless on the ground and was bleeding at 10 21 PM paramedics arrived at the scene only to find that Todd had already passed away despite their best efforts there was nothing they could do to bring him back.

The news was a devastating blow to his loved ones leaving them reeling with grief and disbelief following this Todd’s Body was then taken away for autopsy as detectives arrived at the scene they carefully examined every inch of the house.

They scoured for clues that could reveal the perpetrator of this heinous crime just outside the front bedroom window they stumbled upon three 22 caliber Federal ammunition shell casings the discovery made it clear to the detectives that the killer had stood outside the window and fired the shots.

Apart from the shell casings the detective’s eyes also landed on a peculiar object lying on the ground beneath the window it was a sweet potato with a flat cut on one end and a small Hollow running along its length.

The other end of the potato was shattered leaving chunks scattered on the windowsill and ground below detectives speculated that the potato had been used as the makeshift silencer to muffle the sound of gunshots.

Detectives also came across a black Boost Mobile cell phone lying in the grass near the corner of the house upon examining it they found that the phone belonged to Curtis he claimed to have been in possession of two phones but had lost that particular one during the chaos that followed the gunshots.

On the 28th of February 2011 a day after the tragic incident the autopsy report was finally released it revealed that Todd had suffered from three gunshot wounds the wounds had caused fractures in his ribs and injuries in his lungs ultimately leading to his death.

The news only fueled detectives determination to bring Justice to Todd and his family detectives Jason labor and Thomas Chevalier called in Curtis for questioning on the same day and grilled him about what he knew.

Curtis recounted the events leading up to the shooting and he also revealed that he had been using his blue Sanyo phone just a few minutes before the shooting occurred following this Revelation the detectives decided to take a closer look at his phones.

Curtis was presented with a consent form to authorize the search of his phones including the black Boost Mobile phone found at the scene of the crime once the consent form was signed they wasted no time in obtaining call records for both phones from telecommunication companies.

Upon scrutinizing the call records for the black Boost phone they noticed that the last outgoing call was made at 8 44 pm on the day of the incident when Curtis was asked about the call he revealed that it was to his girlfriend Faith Thomas.

Detectives then turned their attention to his other phone which was a blue Sanyo when they looked at the call records obtained from the telecommunication company and the visual call history on the phone they realized that something didn’t match up.

The call records showed that Curtis had made and received calls from a particular number a few minutes before the shooting and also after the shooting however these series of calls were strangely absent from the phone’s call log.

The detectives were stumped by the discrepancy and their instincts told them that Curtis was hiding something they believed that he had manually deleted the calls to conceal evidence on the physical phone.

By digging deeper the detectives found that the number Curtis had been communicating with before and after the shooting belonged to a man named davarius Hampton.

The detectives were not about to let Hampton slip through their fingers it wasn’t the first time he had been in trouble with the law in fact at the time of the shooting Hampton was on probation for a previous crime and was being closely monitored with the GPS tracking bracelet.

The detectives decided to take a closer look at the data recorded by the tracking device and what they found was startling the GPS data showed that Hampton had been in the vicinity of Todd’s home at the exact time of the shooting.

On March 2nd 2011 davarius Hampton was arrested for an unrelated matter detectives Thomas and Jason saw an opportunity to question him about Todd’s murder they hoped that they could get some answers out of him but things didn’t go as planned.

Hampton was uncooperative and refused to speak about the matter leaving the detectives with more questions than answers.

On March 18 2011 two workers from Sullivan engineering John O’Day and Peter O’Sullivan were conducting surveys and samples at the Mill Pond in the Marston Mills section of Barnstable when they stumbled upon a firearm in the murky Waters.

The workers alarmed by their Discovery quickly contacted the police and handed over the firearm upon examining the weapon the detectives were stunned to find that it contained live rounds of the same caliber as the spent shell casing found at the scene of Todd shooting this discovery led them to believe that the weapon was indeed the murder weapon.

Despite the series of promising leads the investigation into Todd’s murder seemed to somewhat lose steam however detectives remained Vigilant and kept a close eye on tavareshampton it was clear to them that he was somehow involved in the crime.

In late 2012 detectives decided to conduct a DNA analysis on the potato that was found at the crime scene shockingly the results revealed a mixture of two human DNA samples with a high probability that one of these samples belonged to a man.

After this discovery things went silent again but detectives never gave up on finding evidence to solve Todd’s murder they also tried to get their hands on Hampton’s DNA for years but their efforts were in vain.

Then on a fateful day in October 2016 luck finally smiled upon them Hampton was seen leaving a nursing and rehabilitation center in Centerville Massachusetts as he walked away he carelessly spat phlegm into a small puddle.

The detectives who had been watching him quickly sprang into action and collected the phlegm with a Q-tip and cotton ball these were then carefully placed in an Evidence bag and taken back to the lab for analysis.

In January 2018 detectives received a break in the form of new data from Hampton’s GPS tracking bracelet the information showed that on the night of February 28 2011 just a day after Todd’s murder Hampton had made a stop at the Mill Pond in Marston Mills.

The location he had stopped was just 23 feet away from where the firearm believed to have been used in Todd’s shooting was discovered it was a chilling Revelation and the detectives knew that they were getting closer to cracking the case.

Things got even more interesting because that same year the results from the analysis conducted on Hampton’s flim came back and it showed that there was a high probability that the DNA on the potato found at the crime scene matched Hamptons.

Despite this compelling evidence against Hampton surfaced authorities didn’t rush to make an arrest perhaps they wanted to make sure their case against him was Rock Solid before taking action.

Finally on February 24 2023 Hampton at the age of 40 was taken into custody and charged with one count each of murder and assault and battery with a dangerous weapon in connection with Todd’s death.

On February 27 2023 he appeared in court that particular date marked the 12th anniversary of Todd’s death all eyes were on Hampton as he stood before the judge pleading not guilty to the charges of murder and assault with a deadly weapon.

The judge taking into consideration the severity of the case ordered him to be held without bail until his probable cause hearing which is scheduled for April 5th 2023.

The news of another arrest in Todd’s murder case sent shock waves through the community on March 7 2023 Curtis was considered a potential accomplice and was also taken into custody.

He was charged with one count of murder and when he appeared in court the next day he also pleaded not guilty at the moment the prosecution still has a long road ahead of them to ensure justices served for Todd.

Lolita is a town nestled in the heart of Northern California’s Humboldt County with a population of just over 800 Lolita is surrounded by beautiful forests and Rolling Hills providing a picturesque backdrop for outdoor activities such as hiking fishing and camping it was in this tranquil Paradise that a gruesome Discovery was made in 1998.

On March 27 1998 a Lolita resident and his father embarked on a boat ride along the Eel River in search of driftwood as they navigated through the twists and turns of the river something odd caught their eye.

At first they thought it was just another piece of wood Tangled in the branches of a nearby tree but as they drew closer they noticed that what they were seeing looked like human body remains they quickly alerted the authorities wondering what Sinister Secrets the river might be hiding.

This fateful day would soon become etched into Lolita’s history leaving its inhabitants in shock and disbelief the sheriff’s deputies didn’t waste any time they raced to the Eel River via jet boat not knowing what Horrors awaited them at the time they had no idea that this was going to be a case that would haunt them for a long time to come.

After a few nerve-wracking minutes they finally arrived on the scene where the locals had reported the finding their worst fears were confirmed there partially clothed in an advanced state of decomposition was the body of a man.

Despite the Decay the deputies could tell that he was the white male adult but beyond that they had no idea who he was or how he had ended up in the river.

The sheriff’s deputies couldn’t believe what they were seeing and their emotions were hard to contain they immediately took the body out of the water and carefully searched the clothing looking for any shred of evidence that could help identify the deceased.

But their efforts were fruitless there was no form of identification no belongings and nothing that could help them piece together the victim’s identity.

Following this the body was removed from the area and transported to the coroner’s office for further examination the findings from the autopsy that was conducted were disheartening but it gave detectives a starting point.

The coroner’s report revealed that the man had possibly drowned and that he had been in the water for a month before his recovery detectives felt the sense of urgency as they tried to piece together the mystery surrounding the man they had found in the river.

They knew that they had to find out who he was before they could unravel the events leading up to his debt they were certain that someone out there was missing a loved one and they were determined to find out who this man had been.

The detectives worked tirelessly and released a description of the man to the public hoping to spark someone’s memory of a missing person report days turned into weeks but despite their best efforts they came up empty-handed.

The case was proving to be a tough nut to crack but the detectives refused to give up hope they knew that one piece of information could be the key to unlocking the mystery and they were willing to pursue every lead until they found the truth.

A glimmer of hope appeared when the California Department of Justice recovered a single latent fingerprint from the body this was then sent to the automated latent print system for analysis.

The detectives held their breath hoping for a breakthrough but when the results came back negative their hopes were dashed once again.

Undeterred by this setback the detectives obtained the man’s DNA profile which they entered into various databases including the California missing persons DNA database in the National unidentified person’s DNA index they scoured the databases hoping for any sign of a match but their efforts were once again in vain.

With each passing year the mystery of the man’s identity remained unsolved the detectives assigned to the case refused to give up they were determined to unravel the truth behind the unknown individual found in the Eel River after 24 long years towards the end of 2022 a break in the case finally appeared on the horizon.

Toward the end of 2022 the Sheriff’s Office partnered with a forensic genealogy company called othram which is based in Texas the partnership aimed to use Advanced forensic DNA testing to finally give the unknown man his identity.

A sample of the man’s DNA was sent to the lab where a team of experts began analyzing it with great care and attention to detail they used forensic grade genome sequencing an advanced technique that enabled them to build a complete DNA profile of the man.

With the profile in hand their genealogy team then applied forensic genetic genealogy to produce investigative leads this Innovative approach combined DNA testing with traditional genealogical methods to create family history profiles.

By studying the genetic makeup of individuals and their families researchers could determine whether they were biologically related and this helped them to ultimately identify the man who had remained a mystery for so long.

In mid-February of 2023 after months of anxious waiting the authorities finally received the much-awaited news from othram.

The report from the lab revealed that there was a high probability that the man who had remained unidentified for decades was none other than Jeffrey Todd Sido born in 1963 but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

The report also revealed that the man had several living relatives including a possible sister named Cheryl who was residing in Missouri.

Detectives decided to leave no stone unturned they knew that they had to be certain and so they searched their records for fingerprints of Jeffrey and meticulously compared them to the latent print recovered all those years ago it was a painstaking task but their diligence paid off.

The fingerprints were a match the detectives finally had definitive proof that the man they had been trying to identify for 25 years was indeed Jeffrey.

Following this they immediately reached out to Jeffrey’s sister Cheryl she was shocked when she received the call from them as it turned out she had been searching for her brother for years and the News brought her both relief and sadness.

Cheryl told the detectives that Jeffrey had cut off contact with the family years ago and they had not heard from him since the mid-1990s despite her attempts to find him over the years she had no luck locating him.

The family had never reported him missing as they had thought his disappearance was intentional.

The Revelation by Cheryl about her long-lost brother Jeffrey only added to the mystery surrounding his death there are still a lot of unanswered questions however amidst the confusion the detectives found solace in the fact that they finally succeeded in identifying the man whose true identity had eluded them for so many years.

Bellingham is a Charming City in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States it is located in the state of Washington and it is 18 miles south of the Canadian border and it is here that our next case begins.

Records reveal that Wendy OGG was born on February 15 1958. Beyond this detail much of Wendy’s early life is not known however what is certain is that in 1978 she was a 29 year old single mother residing in Bellingham with her daughter charlena.

In addition to being a devoted mother Wendy OGG was a student at McDonald’s Beauty School in Bellingham perhaps Wendy saw her education as a pathway to a brighter future for herself and her daughter whatever her motivation it’s clear that she was a woman of determination and resilience.

On April 24 1987 Wendy’s daily routine was interrupted as she stepped out of her beauty school in Bellingham and made her way to La Paloma restaurant across the street to get lunch.

The city was alive with the promise of spring and Wendy likely savored the chance to step away from her studies and enjoy a moment of relaxation.

When Wendy returned to her beauty school after lunch she had some exciting news to share with her classmates she recounted a chance encounter with a man named Mike Johnson whom she had met at La Paloma restaurant.

Wendy described how Mike had been wearing a sharp three-piece suit and how she had been instantly drawn to his charm and wit she further revealed that she was planning to go on a date with him later that day.

As the sun began to set that evening Wendy left her daughter in the care of a trusted babysitter and set out to meet Mike for their first date her mind was undoubtedly filled with anticipation and excitement after all it’s not every day that a chance encounter leads to a romantic evening out.

As the night progressed Wendy and Mike found themselves growing more and more comfortable with each other’s company after the date they ended up at the home of one of Wendy’s friends where they chatted and laughed until the early hours of the morning.

Eventually they decided it was time to call it a night and headed out into the darkness little did anyone know that it would be the last time Wendy would be seen alive.

The babysitter who had been caring for Wendy’s daughter was the first to get worried as Wendy had failed to come home and collect her little girl as planned as the hours ticked by with no word from Wendy anxiety began to give way to fear something was definitely not right.

With no other options left the babysitter contacted the police and reported Wendy missing the police acted quickly and arrived at Wendy’s home hoping to find some evidence or leads that would help them locate her.

Once inside they began to search the house as they made their way to her bedroom they found something that chilled them to the Bone there were two pools of drying blood at the head of Wendy’s bed and the bed sheet was soaked in blood.

But that wasn’t all there was another curious stain on the sheet one that they couldn’t immediately identify it was clear that something violent had happened in the house and the Mystery of Wendy’s disappearance had taken a dark turn.

After discovering the gruesome scene in Wendy’s bedroom detectives quickly sprang into action they reached out to her circle of friends for any information they could get and it was through these interviews that detectives learned about Mike the man Wendy had gone out on a date with.

As they dug deeper they found out that Mike had worked at La Paloma restaurant as a bartender for two days before Vanishing with stolen cash and liquor it was strange that Mike’s disappearance coincided with Wendy’s even more peculiar was that he was seen driving her vehicle a 1972 Ford Torino.

The detectives knew they had to track down Mike as soon as possible they were hot on the trail of Mike and it didn’t take them long to uncover a lead.

They learned that a man had been seen entering the United States from Canada in Wendy’s car a day after Mike disappeared from Bellingham the United States Customs authorities had even snapped a photo of the man and he got the description of Mike.

Just hours after the photo was taken Wendy’s car was discovered abandoned in Eugene Oregon the vehicle was searched and authorities made a shocking Discovery they found a pair of bloodied men’s pants.

In addition to this they also found a Burger King hamburger box which they were able to lift a fingerprint from much to the surprise of detectives analysis of the fingerprint revealed that it belonged to a man named Darren D O’Neal Who was a notorious criminal with a long list of offenses which included robbery and assault.

The detectives quickly realized that Mike was likely an alias used by O’Neill to confirm their suspicions they obtained the job application that Mike had submitted to La Paloma restaurant and ran it for fingerprints.

Their hunch was proven correct when the fingerprints matched O’Neill’s leaving no doubt that he was indeed the man who had gone by the name Mike and was last seen with Wendy.

The authorities were determined to find O’Neill but he seemed to have slipped away Without a Trace he was also hard to track down because he was often changing his name in appearance.

It wasn’t until months later in September 1987 that detectives finally got their break O’Neill was apprehended in Florida on a stolen car warrant upon his arrest he was then extradited to Washington State where he faced charges for his heinous crimes.

One of those charges was for the murder of 21-year-old Pierce County woman Robin Smith Robin had gone missing just four weeks before Wendy and her body was found in May of 1987.

Despite being questioned about Wendy’s whereabouts O’Neill refused to give any information two years later in 1989 he pleaded guilty to Robin’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison.

But that wasn’t all Neil was also convicted of second-degree auto theft for stealing Wendy’s car providing a small measure of closure for her family and friends.

The horrors of O’Neill continued to come to light as another victim’s story emerged in August 1990 he was convicted for the crime of kidnapping and committing unspeakable atrocities to a 14 year old Portland girl back in 1987.

The jury’s verdict was Swift and decisive and O’Neill was sentenced to 135 years in prison for this case alone.

O’Neill’s incarceration no doubt brought some measure of Justice however his silence around Wendy’s disappearance was deafening no one knew if she was still alive and if not where her body could be found.

Despite efforts by the authorities and Wendy’s family and friends the mystery surrounding her disappearance remained unsolved it was as if she had vanished Into Thin Air and the community could only wonder and speculate about what could have happened to her.

As the years went by the hope of finding Wendy alive dwindled in the search for her body became the only thing left.

The Bellingham Police Department had long given up hope of solving Wendy’s mysterious Disappearance in 1987 but in 2015 they received a startling report from the Washington State Patrol crime laboratory about evidence found at Wendy’s home that could potentially Crack the Case wide open.

Detectives had seen a suspicious stain on Wendy’s bed sheet all those years ago but it wasn’t until now that it was confirmed to be a semen stain the DNA extracted from the stain was used to create a profile and the results were final.

The profile matched none other than O’Neill the man already serving a life sentence for other crimes it seemed that after all these years Justice might finally be served for Wendy.

In November 2020 the Washington State Patrol crime laboratory once again informed detectives about another development it was about the pair of men’s pants that had been found in Wendy’s car after it was abandoned by O’Neill.

What was discovered was that the blood found on the pair of pants belonged to none other than Wendy herself as the pieces of the puzzle began to fit together it became undeniable that O’Neill had a hand in Wendy’s disappearance and likely death.

Finally in October 2022 the authorities made their move they charged him with the second-degree murder of Wendy and set his bail at an astonishing 10 million dollars.

On March 1 2023 O’Neill was extradited to Washington from Oregon where he was serving a 135-year prison term on March 10 2023 he appeared before the Whatcom County Superior Court.

Despite the overwhelming evidence against him he pleaded not guilty leaving the courtroom in stunned silence.

O’Neill’s public defense attorney Stark follis also argued that the long gap between the alleged murder and the charges being laid should be taken into consideration additionally folis questioned why O’Neill was not charged with ogg’s murder back in 1987 when he was charged with stealing her car.

At the moment O’Neill’s next appearance is scheduled for April 5th 2023 leaving many to wonder what the future holds for the case.

As we close this chapter on cold cases it’s clear that Justice may take time but it never forgets these five cases show the tireless efforts of law enforcement and advancements in forensic technology that have made it possible to solve cases that were once thought unsolvable the families of the victims can finally find some peace and closure knowing that their loved ones have not been forgotten.