Cold Cases in New York: The Haunting Mysteries That Remain Unsolved

15 Cold Cases in New York…

May 31, 2025

New York is a city that never sleeps—but some families lie awake, night after night, haunted by unanswered questions. Across its five boroughs, scenic upstate areas, and sprawling suburbs, the state of New York holds secrets—tragic, chilling, and sometimes nearly forgotten. Despite advances in forensic science and renewed interest from investigators and citizen detectives alike, many cases remain unsolved.

In this article, we’ll journey through some of the most compelling cold cases in New York, from high-profile disappearances to long-forgotten homicides. These stories are not just about crime—they are about real people, families waiting for justice, and communities desperate for closure. 🔍🕯️

1. 🧳 The Disappearance of Etan Patz (1979) – Manhattan

Etan Patz was just six years old when he vanished on May 25, 1979, while walking to his school bus stop in SoHo. His face would become one of the first featured on milk cartons across America. 🥛👦

Despite a massive investigation and nationwide awareness, Etan’s case went cold for decades. It wasn't until Pedro Hernandez, a former bodega worker, confessed in 2012 that the case resurfaced. Hernandez was convicted in 2017, yet doubts about his confession persist, leaving many to wonder: did justice truly prevail? ⚖️🧩

2. 🧥 The Unsolved Murder of Paula Bohovesky (1980) – Pearl River

On October 28, 1980, 16-year-old Paula Bohovesky, a talented actress and student, was brutally murdered while walking home from the library in her small Rockland County town. Two local men were arrested and convicted—but the fight continued for years as they came up for parole. 🎭📚

The trauma of Paula’s death—and the community’s insistence on justice—helped push reforms in parole procedures. Still, the pain remains for those who knew and loved her, especially as one of the perpetrators was released in 2019. 🚨💔

3. 🧤 The Mystery of the Boy in the Bag (2005) – East Harlem

In March 2005, a young boy's body was discovered inside a plastic bag behind a public housing building in East Harlem. He was around 3-5 years old, had no clothing or identification, and was never reported missing. 😢🧒

To this day, the identity of “Baby Hope” remains a tragic enigma. The NYPD launched "Operation Baby Doe" to track down leads using facial reconstruction and DNA, but his name and killer remain unknown. 💔🕵️

4. 🎓 Suzanne Lyall’s Disappearance (1998) – Albany

Suzanne Lyall was a bright 19-year-old SUNY Albany student who vanished after getting off a bus on March 2, 1998. Surveillance showed her last known location near a campus bus stop. Despite an intense search, Suzanne was never seen again. 🎒🚌

Her case prompted the creation of New York’s Missing Persons Day, a day of remembrance and awareness. While her boyfriend was scrutinized early on, no charges have been filed. The Lyall family continues their search for answers. 🙏📆

5. 🏞️ The Murder of Kristine Kupka (1998) – Brooklyn

In October 1998, 28-year-old Kristine Kupka, a college student and soon-to-be mother, vanished after meeting with her ex-boyfriend Darshanand Persaud. Kristine was five months pregnant at the time, and all signs pointed to foul play. 🍼🕊️

Despite circumstantial evidence and suspicious behavior from Persaud, no arrest was made. Kristine’s body has never been found, and her family remains devastated, pleading for closure. 🕯️💔

6. 🚓 The Alphabet Murders (1971–1973) – Rochester

Three young girls—Carmen Colon, Wanda Walkowicz, and Michelle Maenza—were murdered in the early 1970s, all in the Rochester area. What tied them together? Their initials. Each victim's first and last names started with the same letter, and their bodies were found in towns with matching initials. 🧩🔤

Though a suspect named Joseph Naso was later convicted of similar crimes in California, no charges have ever been brought in the New York cases. The eerie nature of the killings continues to haunt the region. 🧠🔍

7. 📷 The Vanishing of Lauren Spierer (2011) – Bloomington (Originally from Edgemont, NY)

While Lauren Spierer disappeared while attending Indiana University, her roots are in New York. The 20-year-old from Edgemont was last seen walking home from a night out in June 2011. Her disappearance captured national attention. 🎓🚶‍♀️

The case remains unsolved, with numerous theories and no solid answers. Her family has been outspoken, launching campaigns and keeping her story alive. It’s a case that crosses state lines but touches New York deeply. 💬🌐

8. 🥋 Ramapough Lenape Teen Tina DeLeon’s Murder (1988) – Orange County

Tina DeLeon, a Native American teenager and martial arts enthusiast, was found murdered in a remote area of Sterling Forest. She had gone missing just hours earlier. Her case received little attention, possibly due to her background. 😔🏹

Despite DNA evidence and multiple theories, her killer remains unidentified. Advocacy groups have since cited Tina’s case as an example of the systemic neglect faced by Indigenous victims. 🪶⚖️

9. 🎤 Jam Master Jay (Jason Mizell) Murder (2002) – Queens

The murder of Run-DMC’s Jam Master Jay shocked the music world. Gunned down in his recording studio in Queens on October 30, 2002, the hip-hop pioneer’s death remained a cold case for nearly two decades. 🎧💥

In 2020, two men were finally indicted. But the motive—believed to involve a drug dispute—still puzzles fans and friends. Many question why the case took so long to reach the courts and whether justice was truly served. 🎙️🚨

10. 🚨 The "Crimes of Passion" on Long Island – Multiple Victims

From the Gilgo Beach murders to unidentified remains scattered along Ocean Parkway, Long Island has seen its share of haunting mysteries. The Gilgo Beach case, involving multiple women believed to be victims of a serial killer, chilled the nation. 🏖️🕵️‍♀️

In 2023, Rex Heuermann, an architect, was charged with several of the murders. But many victims remain unnamed, and some suspect more than one killer. The ocean may have given up its dead—but not all its secrets. 🌊⚰️

11. 🕊️ The Murder of Sister Cathy Cesnik (Linked?) – Buffalo

While Sister Cathy Cesnik was murdered in Baltimore, conspiracy theories have long suggested potential New York connections, including abuse coverups extending into Buffalo. Her murder, featured in The Keepers documentary, raised red flags across Catholic institutions. ⛪👀

Could priests in Western New York have ties to a broader abuse and cover-up scandal? The echoes of Cathy’s murder are still felt in Catholic communities across New York. 📖🕵️

12. 🩸 The 1984 Slaying of Sarah Pryor – Westchester County

14-year-old Sarah Pryor vanished while walking near her home. Years later, a man named Michael Gentile, already convicted of other crimes, was considered a suspect—but never charged. Sarah’s remains were found, but justice was not. 🛤️🔍

Today, the quiet suburb where she lived still feels the shadows of that tragedy. Her story remains a stark reminder that predators can strike even in the most peaceful neighborhoods. 🧸🚷

13. 🕯️ The Stabbing of Linda Velzy (1975) – Cortland County

Linda Velzy was just 18 when she was found stabbed to death in a remote wooded area. Her murder shocked the small town of Cortland. Despite local leads and suspects, the case went cold. 🌲🔪

In 2000, DNA evidence pointed to Daniel Buzzetti, a known local offender, and he was eventually convicted. But for decades, Linda’s case exemplified the frustration families face with unsolved murders. 🧬⚖️

14. 👩‍🦰 The Mysterious Death of Barbara Jean Horn (1988) – NYC (Originally from Buffalo)

Barbara Jean Horn was a 4-year-old girl brutally murdered in Philadelphia, but her family hailed from Buffalo. Her case came under renewed scrutiny when Walter Ogrod, once convicted of the crime, was exonerated in 2020. 🧸⛓️

The injustice of wrongful conviction in cases like these makes it even more essential to approach cold cases with care, patience, and forensic rigor. ⚖️🧠

15. 🔦 The Case of Chanel Petro-Nixon (2006) – Brooklyn

Sixteen-year-old Chanel Petro-Nixon was last seen heading to apply for a summer job in 2006. Four days later, her body was found in a garbage bag on a Brooklyn street. Her death shocked her community. 🕯️🖤

It wasn’t until 2016 that her ex-boyfriend Veron Primus was charged with the murder—while imprisoned in Saint Vincent for another killing. The slow path to justice reminds us how long families can wait in silence. ⏳🗃️

Why These Cases Matter 💔

Cold cases aren’t just statistics—they’re lives interrupted, futures stolen, and families devastated. Every face on a missing poster, every unsolved homicide, represents an unfinished story. In New York, a state bursting with history and hustle, these unsolved crimes serve as a chilling reminder that some voices are still waiting to be heard. 🕯️📣

From city streets to mountain trails, from bustling boroughs to sleepy upstate towns, every community has its mysteries. But by revisiting them, documenting them, and amplifying them, we honor the memory of the victims—and inch closer to the truth. 🧩👣

Final Thoughts 🌆

Cold cases are not just relics of the past—they are today’s unfinished business. In New York, these cases stretch across decades and boroughs, but they all share one thing in common: the fight for answers is not over. 🔎🗽

At TheColdCases.com, we believe every story deserves its resolution, every victim deserves their name honored, and every family deserves closure. We’ll continue to shine a light on New York’s coldest mysteries—and we hope you’ll stand with us. 💡