About Dustin Reed Terry — Founder & Editor, TheColdCases.com
Dustin Reed Terry is no stranger to the complex realities of American life. Growing up with a grandfather connected to the notorious Little Dixie Mafia gave Dustin an early and unvarnished education in how justice and injustice operate in the shadows. He went on to serve his country as an Aviation Mechanic in the United States Air Force, where he developed the precision, discipline, and unrelenting commitment to accuracy that defines everything he does today.
After his military service, Dustin spent years working in mental health and rehabilitation facilities, sitting alongside some of society’s most vulnerable people and witnessing firsthand the devastating and lasting impact of trauma. It was there, watching families struggle with unanswered questions and systems that too often failed them, that the vision for TheColdCases.com was born. Dustin founded the site with a simple but powerful belief — that the truth matters, that every case deserves a second look, and that the people left behind deserve someone willing to keep searching for answers long after the world has moved on.
You can contact him at dustinreedterry@gmail.com
About Zoe Rosenthal — Staff Journalist, TheColdCases.com
Zoe Rosenthal is a writer, researcher, and biopsychosocial criminologist. She holds a Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Crime Analysis from Boston University, a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice Administration with a minor in Juvenile Justice from Missouri Southern State University, an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement, and a Certificate in Criminal Law. While at Missouri Southern, Zoe earned the Outstanding Criminal Justice Graduate Award in 2019.
Editorial Standard Disclaimer
At the heart of everything we publish is a commitment to the people whose stories we tell. Our work exists to document, honor, and bring wider awareness to cases — not to cause additional pain to families or loved ones already navigating difficult circumstances.
In service of that mission, we use a combination of two approaches to produce our content:
Human-written articles
Some stories are researched and written entirely by our team of human journalists and writers, who bring personal care and editorial judgment to every word.
AI-assisted articles
Some articles are produced with the assistance of artificial intelligence tools. We believe there is a thoughtful, legitimate place for AI in storytelling when used responsibly.
Regardless of which method is used, we strive in every instance to conduct a real interview with those closest to the case before publishing. That firsthand conversation is the foundation of our reporting — whether the final article is shaped by a human writer or an AI tool.
We believe both approaches, when guided by genuine human intent and editorial responsibility, can produce meaningful, respectful coverage. Our goal is never to sensationalize — it is always to promote awareness, preserve important stories, and give a voice to the cases and communities that deserve to be heard.