The history of crime investigation is riddled with unsolved cases, and the following ten are amongst the most prominent. The Black Dahlia case remains unsolved, with no clear motive or suspect identified, as does The Boy in the Box mystery of Philadelphia. The Zodiac Killer, the Jamison Family disappearance, and Isdal Woman’s case also remain unsolved. The Colonial Parkway Murders, which occurred in Virginia between 1986 and 1989, have produced several suspects but no convictions. Tylenol Murders of Chicago are one of the most haunting cases in American history still without closure. Finally, the disappearance of the 7-year-old Kyron Horman in Portland and the murder of the six-year-old JonBenét Ramsey in Colorado remain unsolved to this day.
10 Unsolved Cold Cases That Still Haunt Investigators
1. The Black Dahlia
One of the most infamous unsolved mysteries in the history of Los Angeles, the Black Dahlia case still haunts investigators to this day. In 1947, 22-year-old Elizabeth Short was found brutally murdered in Leimert Park. Her body was severed in half, and her face was slashed from ear to ear. Despite countless leads and suspects over the years, the case remains unsolved.
2. The Boy in the Box
In 1957, a young boy’s body was discovered in a cardboard box in Philadelphia. The boy, estimated to be around 4-6 years old, showed no signs of physical abuse. He remained unidentified, and the case remains unsolved to this day.
3. The Zodiac Killer
From 1968 to 1969, the Zodiac Killer terrorized the San Francisco Bay Area with a series of murders and cryptic messages sent to local newspapers. Despite breaking numerous codes and having a number of suspects over the years, the Zodiac Killer remains at large.
4. The Jamison Family
In 2009, the Jamison family disappeared while on a trip to the mountains in Oklahoma. Their truck was found abandoned, and their bodies were discovered several miles away, scattered in the woods. The case remains unsolved, with no motive or suspects identified.
5. The Hinterkaifeck Murders
In 1922, six members of the Gruber family were found brutally murdered on their farm in Hinterkaifeck, Bavaria. The killer had taken up residence in the family’s attic and lived there for several days before carrying out the murders. Despite a number of suspects, including a former neighbor who had a falling out with the family, the case remains unsolved.
6. The Isdal Woman
In 1970, the charred remains of a woman were found in a remote area near Bergen, Norway. The woman had been systematically disfigured to avoid identification, and her belongings included a number of false passports and wigs. Despite an international investigation, the woman’s identity and cause of death remain unknown.
7. The Tylenol Murders
In 1982, seven people in the Chicago area died after ingesting Tylenol laced with cyanide. The killer was never caught, and the case remains one of the most haunting in American history.
8. The Colonial Parkway Murders
The Colonial Parkway Murders occurred in Virginia between 1986 and 1989. The victims, four couples, were found strangled or shot to death along the Colonial Parkway. Despite several suspects over the years, the case remains unsolved.
9. The Disappearance of Kyron Horman
In 2010, 7-year-old Kyron Horman disappeared from his elementary school in Portland, Oregon. Despite extensive searches and investigations, Kyron has never been found, and no suspects have been named in his disappearance.
10. JonBenét Ramsey
In 1996, 6-year-old JonBenét Ramsey was found dead in the basement of her family’s home in Boulder, Colorado. The case generated nationwide attention and numerous suspects, including family members and intruders. Despite having no solid evidence, the case remains unsolved to this day.
These 10 cases show us that sometimes, no matter how hard investigators try, there are some mysteries that may never be solved. These unsolved cold cases will continue to haunt investigators and leave us with more questions than answers.