Connecticut DCJ Cold Case Unit

12/29/2022

https://www.yahoo.com/now/ten-years-later-police-still-050100168.html

Please open this link and read this story. Waterford Police placed an ad in a recent edition of the New London Day seeking information about the December 21, 2012 murder of Kyle Seidel.

Take a look at the story and see if anything in there jogs your memory. Or maybe you know someone who may know something about Kyle's murder. Former New London State's Attorney Michael L. Regan in 2014 requested a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the case.

Does any of this sound familiar? If so, call Waterford Police at 860-442-9451 or detectives directly at 860-442-0645. Also, tips can be emailed to [email protected] or told via the Cold Case Tip Line at 1-866-623-8058 or the Waterford Police Anonymous Tip Line at 860-437-8080. You can also DM this Facebook account. All tips will be kept confidential.

Please help if you can.

12/28/2022

We Never Forget: James and Elizabeth Pacheco

Earlier this month marked 37 years since James and Elizabeth Pacheco were both found shot to death in their Enfield home.
No arrests were ever made in the case but that hasn't stopped the Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit from searching for clues. Can you help them? Send a DM to this Facebook account or call 1-866-623-8058 if you know something about this crime. You can also contact them through regular mail at Cold Case Unit, P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or send an email to [email protected].
Every tip matters.

12/27/2022

We Never Forget: Domaine Richards

Fifteen years ago this month, Domaine's body was found in the trunk of a car parked on Ashley Street in Hartford. He was 25. Weeks before, Domaine, of East Hartford was reported missing. If you know something about this case, contact the Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit at 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected]. The unit also accepts tips by regular mail at P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. This Facebook account also receives tips through DMs. Maybe your tip can help solve this homicide.

11/29/2022

Thank you to the Hartford Courant's Ed Mahony for taking the time to give readers an inside look at the work of the Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-dna-connecticut-cold-case-unit-unsolved-murders-20221123-20221128-oc4ls44azvd4lnuysxu3u7ms4m-story.html

11/28/2022

We Never Forget: Dominic Marino

This month marks four years since Dominic died in a fatal shooting in East Hartford. If you or someone you know saw anything unusual in the area of Suffolk Drive on the evening of November 18, 2018, please report it by calling 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected] or direct message to this Facebook account. If you don't have a tip, you can still help by sharing this post on Facebook to help the Cold Case Unit solve this murder. Every single tip helps police get closer to an arrest.

11/25/2022

Thank you to the Hartford Courant for publishing this recent editorial reminding readers that the Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit never forgets.

https://www.courant.com/news/connecticut/hc-news-cold-case-challenge-coins-michael-sharpe-survivors-20221114-2likjxpxozct3ihyl6dtp3ng4u-story.html

11/23/2022

Hartford police announced this month that there is now a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest in the Oct. 21, 2015 fatal shooting of Ricardo Rivera on Cherry Street in Hartford.

Ricardo was only 19.

Harford police are asking anyone with information to call the department's Cold Case tip line at 860-722-8477.

The Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit also receives tips at 1-866-623-8058, by email at [email protected] and by regular mail at P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. This Facebook account also receives tips through DMs.

https://www.wtnh.com/news/25000-reward-offered-for-information-on-cold-case-murder-in-hartford/

11/15/2022

A simple coin helped inspire CT cold case survivors to hold on for justice after almost 40 years: ‘We never forget’

The Hartford Courant this week published a story about the importance of the Cold Case Unit’s challenge coin to the women who testified in the trial of Michael Sharpe, the Marlborough man linked to the sexual assaults of four women in 1984 by information on a genealogy database.

"Two women, once known only as Jane Doe 1 and Jane Doe 4, carried the coins with them throughout the long-awaited kidnapping trial of former Hartford charter school CEO Michael Sharpe. Called challenge coins, they were given to them by cold case investigators who promised not to forget their cases. And they kept their promise. Nearly 40 years after four women were assaulted in their homes in Middletown, Rocky Hill, Windsor and Bloomfield, the now-71-year-old Sharpe was found guilty by a jury… In the painful days of the trial when she said the stress of it all was 'all-consuming,' her challenge coin offered a physical token of the hope she still held onto. It was something she could grab onto to remember that justice and closure were still possible, she said.

“I just wrap my hand around that coin and hold it sometimes,” she said. “And I’m just so thankful for the cold case unit and their level of care.”

The women carried the challenge coins given to them by the Cold Case Unit of Connecticut's Division of Criminal Justice, who vowed to never forget their cases.

11/09/2022

https://www.wtnh.com/news/unsolved-in-connecticut-a-look-at-the-homicide-cold-cases-in-the-state/

Take a look at this WTNH News 8 story recently published on their website that lists unsolved homicides throughout Connecticut. Many of the men and women listed here are part of the Connecticut Cold Case Playing Cards decks. Do you recognize any of these names? Remember that all tips to the Cold Case Unit are anonymous. Please call 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected]. You can also send a DM through this page or mail information to P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT 06067. Thank you.

11/08/2022

We Never Forget: Santa Melendez

Santa was last seen on August 14, 2000 at the former Dutch Point Housing complex in Hartford. A month later, her body was found under the Charter Oak Bridge. Do you recognize this photo of Santa? You can help the DCJ's Cold Case Unit solve this case by sharing this post with your Facebook friends. No clue is too small. Call 1-866-623-8058, send a DM, or email [email protected] if you have information. Thank you.

11/04/2022

We Never Forget: Leah Ulbrich

On October 29, 1995, Leah died while being dragged by a vehicle from Hartford into Wethersfield. She was 24. Fox 61 recently talked to Leah's daughter and the DCJ's Cold Case Unit about the still-unsolved case. There's a reward of $50,000 for information that results in an arrest and conviction in her homicide. Do you know something about this crime? Send a DM to this page, call 1-866-623-8058 or email [email protected]. Please share this post with your Facebook friends and help find the person who did this to Leah.

https://www.fox61.com/article/news/local/connecticut-cold-case-leah-ulbrich-hartford/520-4b46a6dd-4c83-49b6-a8cf-cd65e0faceda

11/03/2022

Here's Hearst Connecticut Media Group's coverage of Wednesday's guilty verdicts in the Hartford Superior Court trial of Michael Sharpe, whose conviction on kidnapping charges followed years of investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit that included the use of a genealogy database to link Sharpe to the sexual assaults of four women in 1984.

https://www.ctpost.com/news/article/Michael-Sharpe-CT-charter-school-kidnapping-trial-17551867.php

11/03/2022

IMPORTANT UPDATE: Former Hartford charter school executive Michael Sharpe was found guilty today of felony charges related to the kidnappings and sexual assaults of four women in Connecticut dating back to 1984. The DCJ’s Cold Case Unit, in partnership with the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, including the Connecticut State Police and Division of Scientific Services, Bode Technology, the Connecticut Department of Correction and the Hartford, Bloomfield, Rocky Hill, Middletown and Windsor Police Departments, worked tirelessly on the case.

“Today’s jury verdict is the result of countless hours of hard work by dedicated investigators and prosecutors in the Cold Case Unit who never, ever give up their search for justice for the victims of unimaginable crimes,” Chief State’s Attorney Griffin said. “This conviction shows that the Cold Case Unit remains committed to these difficult cases and will embrace the latest advances in forensic science and other innovative means to hold perpetrators accountable so that victims and their families are provided some measure of peace.”

Press release is here:
https://portal.ct.gov/DCJ/Press-Room/Press-Releases/11022022MichaelSharpe

11/01/2022

We Never Forget: Jermaine Ward

Jermaine was fatally shot during a robbery on Edgewood Street in Hartford on October 14, 2003. He was 31 years old. Please share this post and help the Cold Case Unit solve this murder. If you know something about this, call the tip line at 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected] or direct message to this Facebook account. Every single tip helps police get closer to an arrest.

08/16/2022

A CNN story on the Kansas Department of Corrections’ plan to use playing cards to help solve cold cases included an interview with Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John F. Fahey, head of the Connecticut Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit. The Connecticut playing cards are produced by the Cold Case Unit in conjunction with the Department of Correction and other law enforcement agencies. Read the story here:

https://www.cnn.com/2022/08/07/us/kansas-cold-case-prisoner-playing-cards/index.html

07/25/2022

FOX61 recently did a story highlighting the still-unsolved cases of Diana Ferris, who was found strangled in her Hartford apartment in 1996, and Janice Pockett, of Tolland, who disappeared at the age of 7. She was last seen on July 26, 1973. Please share this post so others can see this report. Call 1-866-623-8058, send an email to [email protected] or send DM here if you think you might know something about either of these cases. Thank you.

https://www.fox61.com/article/news/crime/25-years-apart-two-families-still-searching-for-answers/520-b070a595-325a-45fb-8f00-aa93ea07ad5d

07/14/2022

Take a look at these three playing cards out of Hartford. This month marks many years since the families of Thomas, Linda and Christopher last talked to or hugged their loved ones. Were you or anyone you know near Love Lane on July 8, 2018, or on Benton Street on July 31, 2011? 1983 was a long time ago but perhaps you or someone you know was in Keney Park on that July day and have some information about Linda's death. Call 1-800-623-8058 or send a direct message here if you know something. Email at [email protected] or regular mail can be sent to P.O. Box 962, Rocky Hill, CT, 06067. Please share this post. Help the Cold Case Unit find justice for these victims and their families.

07/07/2022

We Never Forget: Gabriel Pereira

Gabriel "Bebo" Pereira, 32, was shot to death outside a family birthday party on Park Street in New Britain on August 1, 2017. A $50,000 reward is being offered in the case. Please share this post and help the Cold Case Unit solve this murder. If you know something about Gabriel's death, call the tip line at 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected] or direct message to this Facebook account. Sometimes the smallest tip can help investigators get the break they need in a case.

06/30/2022

We Never Forget: Raquel Ramirez

It was 37 years ago today that the family of Raquel Ramirez lost their beloved daughter and mother to violence. On June 30, 1985, Raquel was found dead near the Charter Oak Landing by the Connecticut River. There is a reward of up to $20,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in her homicide. Do you know something about this crime? Send a DM to this page, call 1-866-623-8058 or email [email protected]. Please share this post with your Facebook friends and help us get the word out so Raquel's killer can be brought to justice.

05/09/2022

We Never Forget: Sabian "S" Williams

Sabian, 22, was standing in front of 349 Sigourney St. at about 2:40 a.m. on April 19, 2006 when a vehicle pulled up in front of him and several shots from inside the vehicle were fired. Sabian suffered multiple gunshot wounds and later died at St. Francis Hospital and Medical Center. Please share this post and help the Cold Case Unit solve this murder. If you know something about this, call the tip line at 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected] or direct message to this Facebook account. Every single tip helps police get closer to an arrest.

05/06/2022

Today is a tough day for Lori Bell-Carter. On this day 17 years ago, her brother, Edward "Little Man" Bell Jr. was fatally shot on George Street in Hartford. The Division of Criminal Justice's Cold Case Unit is actively investigating this case and is asking anyone with information to call 1-866-623-8058, email [email protected] or send a DM through this page.

"It's not just on this day, it's every day that I think about my brother," Bell-Carter said. "I miss his smile. He had a wonderful smile. This has been very difficult for my family and it's just not something you ever get over. If anyone knows who did this to him, please come forward. Put yourself in our position. How would you feel if you were us?"

04/25/2022

As he marched through the streets of New Haven in memory of his 16-year-old son Jericho Scott, Leroy Scott told onlookers, "If you know something, say something!" about the April 19, 2015 fatal shooting in the city's Fair Haven section. For more about this case, read The New Haven Independent article below. Do you know who shot Jericho seven years ago? Your tip will be anonymous. Please call 1-866-623-8058 or send a direct message to this account or an email to [email protected]. Please share this post!

https://www.newhavenindependent.org/article/seven_years_later_scott_family_keeps_marching_for_justice

04/19/2022

We Never Forget: Diana Ferris

Twenty-six years ago this month, Diana Ferris was found strangled to death in an apartment at 447 Garden Street in Hartford. Diana was found with a pillowcase over her head and a telephone cord wrapped around her neck. At the time of her death, Diana was 5 ½ months pregnant. Please share this post and help the Cold Case Unit solve this murder. If you know something about this, call the tip line at 1-866-623-8058 or send an email to [email protected] or direct message to this Facebook account. Every tip, no matter how small it may seem, helps.

03/22/2022

We Never Forget: Jeffrey Vail and William Ward

Six years ago this week, Jeffrey and William were fatally shot while sitting inside a car on Martin Street in Hartford. In an interview with the Hartford Courant shortly after the March 19, 2016 shooting, family members said Jeffrey and William were childhood friends while growing up on Bellevue Street in Hartford's North End. Police need tips to help find the person or people who shot them. Please share this post or if you know something about this shooting, call 1-866-623-8058, email the Cold Case Unit at [email protected] or send a DM through this page. Even the smallest tip can help investigators.

03/18/2022

Investigation Into 2005 Murder of Woman in Hartford Leads to 4 Arrests Nearly 17 Years Later

NBC Connecticut, which recently did a story on the Cold Case Unit's new page, also covered the recent arrests of four people in connection with the 2005 homicide of Dante Davis in Hartford. Here's the story:

https://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/investigation-into-2005-murder-of-woman-in-hartford-leads-to-4-arrests-nearly-17-years-later/2742739/

An investigation into a fatal shooting in Hartford in 2005 has led to four arrests. Dante Davis, 21, was standing with her boyfriend and other people on Martin Street on the night of June 21, 2005, when she was shot and she later died from her wounds, according to the state Division of Criminal Just...

03/17/2022

IMPORTANT UPDATE: DCJ Cold Case Unit announces arrest in 2005 Hartford cold case murder of Dante Davis.

“The investigators in this case worked diligently to bring this case to a successful resolution,” Supervisory Assistant State’s Attorney John F. Fahey said. “Ms. Davis was an innocent victim and for the past 17 years, detectives assigned to this case never forgot her and the family and friends she left behind. These recent arrests show the Cold Case Unit’s continued commitment to work tirelessly to resolve each case that comes before us.”

https://portal.ct.gov/DCJ/Press-Room/Press-Releases/03172022Davis