Help Me Bring TheColdCases.com to the 2026 CLUE Awards
Sometimes, opportunities appear that feel bigger than just one person.
Recently, I received an invitation connected to the CLUE Awards, which will take place on May 30 in Las Vegas. The event recognizes people and organizations making an impact in the world of true crime, investigative storytelling, and advocacy for victims.
When I first read the message, I honestly didn’t believe it.
I’m just one person running TheColdCases.com — writing stories, researching cases, interviewing people, and trying my best to keep the memories of victims alive. I’m not a large media company. I don’t have a production team or corporate backing.
But somehow, the work we’ve been doing together is being noticed.
And that’s because of you.
Why This Invitation Matters
For many people, the CLUE Awards might look like just another event.
But for those of us who care deeply about cold cases, missing persons, and unsolved crimes, it represents something much bigger.
The event brings together investigators, journalists, podcasters, filmmakers, and advocates who all share one goal: making sure victims are never forgotten.
Attending the CLUE Awards would give me the opportunity to:
• Connect with major voices in the true crime community • Introduce more people to the mission of TheColdCases.com • Build partnerships that could help bring attention to unsolved cases • Interview creators and investigators working on real cases • Grow the reach of the platform so more families can be heard
In short, it’s an opportunity to take what we’re doing here and bring it to a much larger stage.
The Truth About Running TheColdCases.com
I want to be honest with you.
Running TheColdCases.com has never been about money for me.
It started from a much deeper place.
Growing up, I experienced domestic abuse and instability. I know what it feels like to live in fear and uncertainty. I know what it feels like when people who should protect you fail.
Those experiences stayed with me.
Years later, when I started studying human behavior and working in mental health, I became deeply interested in understanding people — especially during the darkest moments of their lives.
That’s what eventually led me to true crime and cold cases.
When someone disappears or is murdered, their story often fades from public attention after the headlines disappear. Families are left behind with unanswered questions, while the world moves on.
But those families never move on.
That reality stuck with me.
So I started writing.
Story after story.
Case after case.
Not just about the crimes themselves, but about the people behind them.
The daughters who never came home. The sons who vanished. The mothers who still wait for answers.
Why Awareness Still Matters
Cold cases don’t solve themselves.
Sometimes they are solved because of one small piece of information that finally reaches the right person.
Sometimes it’s a new witness who comes forward.
Sometimes it’s a detective who reads about a case years later and sees something others missed.
But none of those things happen if the story disappears.
That’s why awareness matters.
Every article published on TheColdCases.com is an attempt to keep these stories alive. Every reader, every share, and every discussion helps push these cases back into the public eye.
You might not realize it, but by simply reading and sharing these stories, you are already part of the mission.
Why I’m Asking for Help
As meaningful as this opportunity is, attending the CLUE Awards in Las Vegas isn’t something I can easily afford on my own.
Travel, lodging, and event costs add up quickly.
Because of that, I’ve created a small fundraiser to help make this trip possible.
I don’t ask for help often.
In fact, asking for help has always been difficult for me.
But this opportunity could make a real difference for the future of TheColdCases.com.
If I’m able to attend, I plan to:
• Create content from the event • Interview true crime creators and investigators • Share insights with our readers • Bring new attention to the cases we cover
Most importantly, I want to represent this community — the readers, supporters, and advocates who believe these stories deserve to be told.
What Your Support Means
If you’ve ever read an article on this site that stayed with you…
If you’ve ever shared one of these stories because you felt the victim deserved to be remembered…
If you believe cold cases should never be forgotten…
Then I’m asking for your help.
Even small donations can make a huge difference.
A few dollars here and there adds up quickly when a community comes together.
Your support wouldn’t just help me attend an event.
It would help strengthen a platform that is dedicated to giving a voice to people who can no longer speak for themselves.
Looking Toward the Future
When I started TheColdCases.com, I had a vision.
Not just for a website.
But for something bigger.
A media platform dedicated entirely to cold cases and missing persons.
A place where families could know their loved ones are still being remembered.
A place where investigators and journalists could share information.
A place where stories that might otherwise disappear could continue to be told.
This invitation to the CLUE Awards feels like a small step toward that vision.
But I can’t take that step alone.
How You Can Help
If you would like to support this effort, I’ve created a fundraiser to help cover the costs of attending the CLUE Awards in Las Vegas on May 30.
Every contribution helps bring this opportunity closer to reality.
And even if you can’t donate, simply sharing the fundraiser with others can make a huge difference.
The more people who hear about TheColdCases.com, the more attention we can bring to the cases that still need answers.
Thank You
Whether you donate, share, or simply continue reading the stories published here, please know that your support truly matters.
This site exists because people like you care.
And together, we can continue shining a light on the cases that deserve to be remembered.
Thank you for being part of this journey.
— Dustin Terry Founder, TheColdCases.com