Tracking Delaware's Cold Case Files

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Help Investigators Solve Cases

You can help Detectives solve cases faster by providing a confidential tip to the investigating agency. Help these detectives make an arrest, bring those responsible to justice, and more importantly help the families looking for closure. You can also provide information to Delaware Crime Stoppers at 1-800-TIP-3333 or delawarecrimestoppers.org.

Cold Cases

The DNTV Cold Case Project.

DNTV/Delaware Newsline’s Cold Case Project is a one-of-a-kind dashboard that monitors and tracks Delaware’s Cold Case Files and was born to serve Delawareans whos families have lost loved ones to unsolved homicides. Cases go cold for numerous reasons, but the fact remains that once a case is deemed “cold,” hope diminishes. While many law enforcement agencies have Cold Case Units, they are typically undermanned and utilize a “solvability factor” that prioritizes cases with the most favorable evidence such as witness cooperation, DNA profiles, known suspects, and physical evidence, to name a few. That prioritization has led to a significant number of cold case arrests, particularly with the technological advances of DNA testing. But it leaves a great number of cases at the bottom of the priority list not being re-investigated and often times left out of the public eye. Even though, in many cases, all the investigator needs to advance the case is that one witness to come forward.

There were a total of 73 murders in Delaware in 2020, or 7.4 for every 100,000 people.

There were a total of 73 murders in Delaware in 2020, or 7.4 for every 100,000 people — the 16th highest murder rate among states. For comparison, the national homicide rate stands at 6.5 per 100,000. Along with rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, murder is one component of the broader violent crime category. Just as Delaware has a higher than average murder rate, its overall violent crime rate is also higher than average. There were a total of 432 violent crimes reported for every 100,000 people in the state in 2020, compared to 399 per 100,000 nationwide. All data used to calculate population-adjusted crime rates, is from the FBI’s 2020 Uniform Crime Report.

Amid a series of interlocking crises, violent crime and some types of property crime rose across the country in 2020.

Crime rates changed dramatically across the United States in 2020. Most significantly, the murder rate — that is, the number of murders per 100,000 people — rose sharply, by nearly 30 percent. Assaults increased as well, with the rate of offenses rising by more than 10 percent. Both increases are part of a broader surge in gun violence. More than 75 percent of murders in 2020 were committed with a firearm, reaching a new high point, and cities that report data on shooting incidents, like New York, saw significant increases in this form of violence as well.

Homicide Investigations Underway

Police make arrest made in Fatal Coastal Taproom Shooting

Upon arrival a 41-year-old victim of Lewes, DE was located in the bar area suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to Beebe

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27-Year-Old Magnolia man arrested for murder after infant found dead

During the ensuing investigation, it was determined that the infant’s death was a homicide. MAGNOLIA

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Solved Cold Cases

2020
Dec 21
Wilmington Police
Michael Parker (46)

Michael Parker (46): On December 21, 2020 at approximately 3:24 p.m., police responded to the 200 block of North Dupont Street in reference to a shooting incident that had occurred. Officers located 46-year-old Michael Parker, who had been shot and later succumbed to his injuries.

Jul 27
Wilmington Police
Kaval Martin (17)

On July 27, 2020 at approximately 4:51 p.m., police responded to the area of 12th and Walnut Streets in response to a shooting that had occurred. The victim, 17-year-old Kavai Martin, was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Martin died in February, and further investigation determined his death was a result of injuries sustained in the shooting incident.

The Faces Of Delaware's Cold Case Files

Delaware Newsline have been able to track more than 120 cold cases going back to 1960. These are the faces of those cold cases, and their stories. Not all cold cases have an image as some families which to keep their loved ones anonymous. This gallery is subject to updating in the future as more cold cases become known.

Cold Case Videos

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