Brenna Bird : "Iowa Cold Case Unit Aims to Solve 400+ Unsolved Deaths"

1. Unsolved deaths in Iowa
2. Cold case unit in Iowa cracks cases.

Accident – Death – Obituary News :

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In recent news, Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has announced the establishment of a new cold case unit in her office to address unsolved cases, including the 13-year-old murder of Ashley Okland in West Des Moines. The new unit, supported by a $530,000 allocation from the state, will consist of three investigators and one prosecutor, led by former Iowa State Patrol trooper and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigations special agent, Steve Ponsetto.

With over 400 cold cases in Iowa, including more than 100 in Polk County alone, the need for a dedicated cold case unit has been long overdue. The unit will focus on cases of death that lack active leads, including homicides, missing persons with suspicious circumstances, and unidentified remains. By leveraging new technology and resources, the cold case unit aims to bring closure and justice to families who have been waiting for answers for years.

One such case that remains unresolved is the murder of Ashley Okland, a Realtor who was shot to death in 2011 while showing a townhome in West Des Moines. Her brother, Josh Okland, expressed optimism about the new cold case unit, emphasizing the importance of additional resources in solving cases like his sister’s.

In addition to the state-level cold case unit, local law enforcement agencies like the Cedar Rapids Police Department have their own Cold Case Units dedicated to investigating long-standing unsolved cases. By collaborating with state and national agencies, these units aim to leverage collective expertise and resources to crack cold cases that have remained unresolved for decades.

The establishment of a state cold case unit has garnered support from various law enforcement associations, including the Iowa State Sheriffs’ & Deputies’ Association and the Iowa Police Chiefs Association. The police chiefs group has even pledged financial support to help kickstart the unit and ensure that no cold case is forgotten or left unsolved.

As the cold case unit begins its work, there is hope that new leads and technologies will help unravel mysteries that have haunted Iowa communities for years. By bringing closure, clarity, and justice to families like the Oklands and many others across the state, the cold case unit aims to make Iowa a safer and more just place for all its residents.