About us

Our mission is to assist families and communities to find answers with

unresolved deaths and disappearances. This Includes:

• Giving unidentified persons back their names
• Identifying persons of interest in violent crimes
• Exonerating the wrongfully incarcerated
• Determining “undetermined” deaths
• Examining “unattended” deaths
• Reopening erroneously closed cases

Founded in 2017, the Cold Case Coalition is a nonprofit that collaborates with both families and law enforcement across the country to resolve unsolved murders and missing persons cases. Here are some of the key activities we do:

• Research
• Organization of Case Files
• Records Requests
• Searches
• Publicity for cases
• Meetings with law enforcement
• Subject Matter Experts

In addition, we focus our efforts into the following programs and projects:

• Cold Case Review Teams: Volunteers work on a case or group of cases to form a Cold Case Review Team or Working Group. These groups typically have 3-6 members that study a case, prepare timelines, evaluate next steps, and basically “work” the case from scratch. Coalition personnel monitor and participate as needed.
• FIGG Team: Our Forensic Investigative Genetic Genealogy (FIGG) Team is made up of some of the most experienced genetic genealogists in the field and has identified dozens of unidentified human remains and potential persons of interest in violent crimes.
• DNA Funding for Cold Cases: CCC is committed to removing the cost barriers to solving cold cases. This is why we offer various types of funding for whole genome sequencing, upload fees and FIGG costs directly to law enforcement.
• Podcast, Cold Case Talk

The Cold Case Coalition is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit incorporated in Utah. We arose out of a mother's need for answers 22 years after the murder of her 6-year-old daughter. Through our efforts, the case was reactivated and is actively receiving tips. Other cases include a rape-murder reopened when we proved the person who confessed could not have been the killer, location of missing persons, uncovering new evidence, presentation of suspect information to law enforcement, identification of bodies, etc.

The Coalition is working on more than 400 cases as well as helping others investigate cold cases on their own. We operate the country's only nonprofit forensic DNA lab. Founded by an attorney (Karra Porter), private investigator (Jason K. Jensen), and retired journalist (Tom Harvey), the Cold Case Coalition has the experience and passion to help with these cases.

Tom Harvey - Chairman

Betty Porter

Renee Van Tussenbrook

Emily Lindquist

Nicole Roach

Michelle Palmer

Karra Porter - CEO

Andrea McCarthy - Executive Director