Iowa’s Cold Case Unit Distributes Playing Decks to Solve Unsolved Crimes
Justice is in the Cards
🃏 Justice in the Cards: Iowa’s Cold Case Unit Distributes Playing Decks to Solve Unsolved Crimes 🕵️♀️🧊
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📍 Des Moines, Iowa — A new deck of cards is reshuffling the way Iowa addresses its long-standing cold cases. But this isn’t your ordinary poker set. Inside each deck lies not just suits and numbers—but heartbreak, mystery, and hope. 💔🕵️♂️
The Iowa Attorney General’s Office, in collaboration with the Department of Corrections and state law enforcement agencies, has unveiled a bold new initiative aimed at solving over 400 unsolved crimes across the state: a Cold Case Playing Card Deck distributed inside state prisons. 🃏🚨
The cards feature real-life victims of homicide, missing persons cases, and unidentified remains, with the hope that incarcerated individuals may hold vital clues to solve them.
🎯 The Goal: Turning Inmates into Informants 👂
This innovative tool is far more than a novelty. It's a strategic criminal justice instrument designed to spark memory, conversation, and ultimately—justice. ⚖️✨
Each card in the 52-card deck highlights one unsolved Iowa case, complete with:
📸 A photo of the victim
🗓️ The date of the crime or disappearance
📍 The location
📝 Key details of the case
☎️ A tipline and contact for the Iowa Cold Case Unit
“Inmates talk. And sometimes, they know more than we think,” said Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird at the official announcement in April 2025. “This is a creative, proven way to reach the unreachable and generate leads where all others have gone cold.” ❄️🧠
🕰️ Cold Cases That Never Got Closure 💭
For many Iowa families, the pain of a loved one’s murder or disappearance lingers for decades. These cards are a symbol of persistence, keeping cases alive not just in files, but in minds and hearts. 🧡📂
Among the haunting stories included in the deck:
🧍♀️ Ashley Okland – 10 of Diamonds
📅 April 8, 2011
📍 Des Moines, Iowa
🕯️ Ashley, a 27-year-old realtor, was shot during an open house in broad daylight. Her murder shocked the community and remains one of Des Moines’ most confounding crimes. Her card asks anyone with information to help give her family peace. 🕊️
❤️ Bill & Kay Wood – 3 of Hearts
📅 July 30, 2011
📍 Norwalk, Iowa
🔥 Bill was found murdered in a house fire, but his wife Kay vanished and has never been found. Her face still appears in bulletins and, now, in prison playing decks. “They were loving parents and grandparents. Someone knows what happened,” a family member shared. 🧓👵
💎 Ruthie Kingery-Pohlmeier – 6 of Diamonds
📅 2004
📍 Des Moines, Iowa
🔍 Ruthie’s brutal beating and murder near a bowling alley left investigators searching for answers—and suspects. Her card outlines key evidence and urges inmates to recall any chatter or confessions. 🧩🩸
♣️ Bobbi Crawford – 2 of Clubs
📅 1999
📍 Hampton, Iowa
🛏️ Bobbi was beaten to death in her own home. Despite exhaustive investigation, no arrests have been made. Her card asks inmates to reconsider anything they may have overheard—even decades ago. 📞👀
🧊 Iowa’s Cold Case Crisis: The Numbers 😔
According to the Iowa Department of Justice, the state has more than 400 cold cases, with many dating back to the 1960s and 70s. Each case not only represents a legal failure but a family frozen in time, unable to move forward. 🧊🧓🧒
This deck represents a turning point. While cold case investigations have long relied on DNA, genealogy, and luck, this initiative seeks something different—dialogue in the unlikeliest of places: prison cells. 🚔🗣️
📚 A Proven Idea from Other States 🌎
The idea isn’t new—but it’s new to Iowa.
Connecticut pioneered the concept in 2005 and solved several murders within a year. Since then, Florida, Wisconsin, Indiana, and other states have joined in, crediting the decks for generating credible, game-changing leads. 🧠💥
“Some inmates have nothing to lose and want to unburden their conscience. Others want leniency or rewards,” said one Iowa corrections officer. “But no matter the motive, if it leads to truth—it matters.” 👮♂️🕊️
💬 Families Speak Out: “This Gives Us Hope” 🫶
🎤 At the launch event in Des Moines, family members of victims stood alongside officials, some teary-eyed, others hopeful.
Peggy Okland, Ashley’s mother, held back tears as she examined her daughter’s card.
“It’s hard to see her picture on a playing card, but if it leads to one tip, just one clue, then maybe someone will finally be held responsible.” 🥺
Kay Wood’s niece said, “Iowa hasn’t forgotten. These families haven’t stopped fighting. And now, maybe someone inside prison walls can help us find Kay.” 🧭🧓
💸 Funded by Community, Fueled by Purpose 🤝
This isn’t a taxpayer-heavy program. The project is funded through donations from law enforcement associations, private citizens, and local nonprofits passionate about justice. 💵💙
The decks are not sold, but rather distributed exclusively to inmates at:
Iowa’s 9 state correctional institutions
County jails upon request
Parole offices and halfway houses
Each card also features the Cold Case tip line: 1-800-242-5100 and an email for anonymous tips: coldcase@ag.iowa.gov📱📧
👁️ From Cards to Cases: Can It Work in Iowa?
Law enforcement officials believe yes—and say they’re already seeing increased chatter inside prisons since the deck’s release. 📢🧏♂️
“Tips have started to come in,” one cold case detective confirmed. “Some are dead ends. Others—well, let’s just say we’re cautiously optimistic.” 🧐🔎
🧬 When Cards Aren’t Enough: Tech Joins the Table 🧪
Though the cards are a big step forward, Iowa’s Cold Case Unit continues to:
Re-analyze evidence with modern DNA testing
Use forensic genealogy to trace unknown DNA
Deploy AI facial recognition on aging missing persons photos
Re-interview persons of interest and witnesses
But tech is only one tool. “What we really need,” said AG Bird, “is the human element. The whispers, the admissions, the overheard regrets.” 🧬👂
🌍 Cold Cases as a National Epidemic 🇺🇸
Across America, over 250,000 unsolved murders remain open. Many are clustered in states like California, Texas, and Illinois, but even small states like Iowa carry the weight of the forgotten. 🗺️🖤
Cold case cards remind us that even decades-old crimes matter. They help balance the scales for victims who can no longer speak. ⚖️🕯️
🧠 The Psychology of a Confession
Why would an inmate come forward years later?
🫣 Guilt – many confess to relieve psychological burdens
🪙 Rewards – cash or favors can motivate disclosure
🕸️ Retribution – some confess to retaliate against cellmates or gangs
🕯️ Redemption – aging inmates nearing parole sometimes seek to “clear their conscience”
“It’s not always noble,” said a retired FBI profiler. “But in this line of work, we’ll take truth from whatever source.” 🧠💔
🧑⚖️ What Happens If an Inmate Confesses?
Not all tips pan out. But when an inmate provides specific details, investigators can:
Verify facts against case files
Seek additional evidence like old letters or personal items
Interview corroborating witnesses
Rebuild timelines using new information
If credible, prosecutors can move forward with charging, plea deals, or reopening trials. 🧾⚖️
👮 “We Owe These Families Answers” – A Closing Message
As Iowa continues rolling out the decks, many believe this program will bring light to some of the darkest corners of the state’s criminal history. 💡
“Justice has no expiration date,” AG Bird reiterated. “And these families deserve answers—whether it’s been 5 years or 50.” ⏳🙏
💬 How You Can Help 🫵
Do you have any information about a cold case in Iowa? You can help by:
Calling 1-800-242-5100
Emailing coldcase@ag.iowa.gov
Sharing the story or images of the Cold Case Cards on social media 📱💬
Donating to local cold case efforts or victim advocacy organizations 💵🧡
Every clue, no matter how small, could help solve a case and bring justice to someone still waiting. 🎯
🎲 Final Thoughts: More Than a Game
These cards are more than a novelty. They are a deck of unfinished stories—each one waiting for an ending. They represent lives stolen, justice denied, and the enduring strength of families who never gave up. 🧍♂️🧍♀️💪
To the inmate flipping over a card in boredom—maybe you hold the missing piece. 🧩
To the victim’s family—know that Iowa is still fighting for you. 🕊️
To the world watching—sometimes justice comes from the most unexpected hands. ♣️♥️♦️♠️