Types of Cold Cases: Murders, Disappearances, Jane Does, and More

Types of Cold Cases in America

Every unsolved case tells a story — of unanswered questions, unfinished lives, and families still waiting for justice.

In America, cold cases come in many forms: from homicides with no known suspect, to people who vanished without a trace, to unidentified remains buried under placeholder names like Jane or John Doe. Each category represents a different kind of mystery — and a different kind of pain.

This guide breaks down the main types of cold cases and highlights real examples from across the country. Whether you're a true crime researcher, an advocate, or simply someone who wants to help keep these stories alive, this page is your starting point.

These aren’t just stories — they’re real lives. Real people. Real families still searching for answers.

Explore the categories below to learn more about:

• 🕵️‍♀️ Unsolved Murders

• 🧍 Missing Persons

• 🧬 Jane and John Does

• 🔬 Solved Cold Cases

• 🔎 Famous Unsolved Cases

Each section includes links to individual cases we've investigated — helping you navigate the depth and scale of America’s most haunting mysteries.

🕵️ Section 1: Unsolved Murders

Some of the most chilling cold cases in America are those involving unsolved homicides — crimes where lives were taken, but no one was ever brought to justice. These cases often span decades, leaving families in a painful state of limbo and communities haunted by the unknown. Advances in forensic technology have helped solve many murders years later, but thousands remain unanswered.

Below are a few of the most haunting unsolved murder cases featured on TheColdCases.com:

• 🔗 The Oklahoma Girl Scout Murders
  In 1977, three young girls were brutally murdered at a Girl Scout camp in Locust Grove, Oklahoma. Decades later, the case remains a source of fear, frustration, and mystery — with lingering questions about whether justice was ever truly served.

• 🔗 The Unsolved Murder of JonBenét Ramsey
  The death of 6-year-old beauty queen JonBenét Ramsey in 1996 shocked the nation and became one of the most talked-about cases in American history. Despite media obsession and countless theories, the case remains officially unsolved.

🚶 Section 2: Missing Persons Cases

One of the most agonizing types of cold cases involves people who simply vanished — often without a trace. These cases are defined by uncertainty, rumor, and heartbreak. Unlike murder investigations with forensic evidence, missing persons cases often begin with very little to go on, and sometimes no evidence of a crime at all.

These cold case disappearances are marked by lingering questions and decades of speculation. Families hold onto hope, even as years pass. Below are some of the most mysterious vanishing cases we’ve covered:

• 🔗 Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon
  In 2014, two Dutch students disappeared while hiking in the jungles of Panama. Despite the discovery of some belongings and skeletal remains, the full truth behind their deaths remains elusive — raising chilling questions about what really happened in the rainforest.

• 🔗 Jodi Huisentruit: Still Missing
  A beloved TV news anchor vanished in the early morning hours in 1995 on her way to work in Mason City, Iowa. Despite massive media attention and ongoing public interest, Jodi’s mysterious vanishing remains unsolved.

🧬 Section 3: Jane & John Doe Cases

Few cases are more haunting than those involving unidentified remains — when a body is found, but no name, no story, and no one to claim them. These victims are often listed as Jane or John Doe, and their identities can remain unknown for decades. Despite advancements in forensic science, many of these cases remain cold, with families never knowing their loved one was found.

These cold case Doe investigations represent some of the most difficult challenges in forensic and investigative work. In some cases, DNA or forensic genealogy may provide answers. In others, they remain silent mysteries.

Here are examples of missing persons found dead but never identified — cases still seeking names, stories, and justice:

• 🔗 Linda Maxwell — A Case of Mistaken Identity?
  Though not listed as a Doe, Linda Maxwell's case raises critical questions about misidentification, evidence handling, and the possibility that someone else — a Jane Doe — is buried in her place.

As forensic tools like genetic genealogy improve, we hope more of these unidentified souls will be returned to their names.

📺 Section 4: Famous Cold Cases

Some cold cases capture the attention of the entire nation — becoming part of our cultural memory and sparking decades of debate, documentaries, and investigative theories. These high-profile cold cases are often surrounded by controversy, conspiracy, and enduring fascination.

Despite the attention, these well-known unsolved cases remain open — a testament to how even the most publicized mysteries can remain frustratingly out of reach.

Explore these major cases we've covered:

• 🔗 The Black Dahlia Murder
  One of the most infamous unsolved murders in U.S. history, the 1947 killing of aspiring actress Elizabeth Short — known as the “Black Dahlia” — shocked post-war Los Angeles. Her mutilated body was found in a vacant lot, and her killer has never been identified despite decades of investigation and speculation.

• 🔗 The Tylenol Murders
  In 1982, seven people died after ingesting cyanide-laced Tylenol capsules — triggering a nationwide panic and forever changing packaging laws. Despite numerous suspects and FBI involvement, no one has ever been charged.

• 🔗 The Disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa
  Labor union leader Jimmy Hoffa vanished in 1975 and was never seen again. His disappearance launched one of the most enduring and mythologized FBI investigations in history, with theories ranging from mafia hits to covert burials under football stadiums.

These cases may be household names, but they still represent unresolved tragedies — with families still waiting and the truth still hidden.

🔎 Explore More Cold Cases

Curious to dive deeper into America's most haunting mysteries?

🗺️ Explore over 500 cold cases organized by state:
🔗 View Cold Cases by State →

📰 Or see what we're currently investigating:
🔗 Browse Our Most Recent Cold Case Reports →

Every view, share, and comment helps bring renewed attention to forgotten victims — and one step closer to justice.