What We Know: Missouri investigators are putting cold cases directly into the hands of prison inmates.
What It Means: Cold Case Playing Cards are being distributed in state prisons, with each card featuring an unsolved murder, missing person, or unidentified remains case.
What’s Next: The hope is that someone behind bars will recognize a name, face or detail and come forward with information.
Tips can be called in at 844-458-6622 or emailed at missouricoldcase@fbi.gov.
Original press release from Missouri Attorney General Hanaway’s office:
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. –Today, Missouri Attorney General Catherine Hanaway, in partnership with the FBI, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Missouri Department of Corrections (DOC), and law enforcement agencies statewide, announced Missouri’s participation in the innovative Cold Case Playing Cards program to help shed light on cold cases and pursue new leads.
“When cold cases are solved, it can bring needed closure to the families living with the pain of the unknown,” said General Hanaway. “My office is proud to collaborate with the FBI and state agencies to uncover new information that could lead to a crack in the case. We will exhaust every resource to bring justice to Missouri families in pain.”
Missouri’s Cold Case Playing Cards have been distributed throughout Missouri DOC facilities. Each card features a photo and details about an unsolved homicide, missing person, or unidentified remains case. The initiative encourages offenders with information to come forward and assist investigators. More than 25 states across the country have participated in the FBI’s program, which has led to the revitalization of cold cases and for some cases a final answer.
“Today, my office joins other law enforcement partners to announce the second edition of the Missouri Cold Case Playing Cards. Many families have continued to suffer for years while they wait for justice in unsolved homicides, missing persons, or unidentified remains in cases that have gone cold. At the FBI, we’re committed in bringing the full weight of our office to solving these cases. This playing card initiative is just one way in attempting to generate additional leads,” said FBI Kansas City Special Agent in Charge Chris Ormerod.
“The Missouri State Highway Patrol and our law enforcement partners remain committed to finding answers for the family and friends of those impacted by unsolved crimes,” said Missouri State Highway Patrol Colonel Michael A. Turner. “The Cold Case Card program is a valuable tool to help generate new leads and uncover critical information that may help bring these cases closer to resolution.”
“Solving cold cases requires persistence, ingenuity, and collaboration — not only among state, local and federal agencies but also among all Missouri residents who might hold missing pieces to the puzzle,” said Missouri Department of Corrections Acting Director Valarie Moseley. “By bringing these cards into our state prisons, we give incarcerated Missourians the opportunity to play a part in finding justice for victims and their families.”
The Attorney General advises anyone with information that could be useful regarding current cold cases, to contact the Public Toll-Free Automated Tipline at: 844-458-6622 or missouricoldcase@fbi.gov.
The full list of cold cases is listed by region below:
St. Louis Region
- Black 3 of clubs – Michael Schaefer
- Black 4 of clubs – Kimberly Tatum
- Black 8 of clubs – Tremaine Blackman
- Black 10 of clubs – Robert Lee Brand
- Black Jack of clubs – James “Kenny” Turner
- Black Queen of clubs – Daisy Thurman
- Red Ace of diamonds – Interstate 70 Killer
- Red 2 of diamonds – Daniel Reid
- Red 3 of diamonds – Tieryn Dilworth
- Red 5 of diamonds – Vincent Cascella
- Red 6 of diamonds – Kelly Allen
- Red Queen of diamonds – Cara Sims
- Red Ace of hearts – Little Jane Doe
- Red 3 of hearts – Robert Donnell
- Red 7 of hearts – Margaret “Marge” Walsh
- Red 8 of hearts – Antwan Oglesby
- Red 10 of hearts – Mokeia Wright
- Black 4 of spades – Christopher M. George
- Black 8 of spades – Dennis Maguire
- Black 9 of spades – Christina Maxine Whittaker
- Black 10 of spades – Nancy Brannon
- Black Jack of spades – Thomas Aldridge
- Black Queen of spades – Karen Malloyd
Kansas City Region
- Black Ace of clubs – Teresa “Tess” Hilt
- Black 2 of clubs – Branson Kayne Perry
- Black 6 of clubs – Angela Hammond
- Red 8 of diamonds – Gloria Palmer
- Red 9 of diamonds – Ronald Burns
- Red 10 of diamonds – Judy Tolane Wardrip
- Red Jack of diamonds – Jason Mark Huff
- Red Jack of hearts – David Cook
- Black Ace of spades – Missouri River Killer
- Black 7 of spades – Chad S. Donaldson
Central Missouri Region
- Black 5 of clubs – Timothy James Potter
- Black 7 of clubs – Michelle Lee Fennell
- Black 9 of clubs – James Hundle
- Black King of clubs – Barbara Hudson, Jeremiah Hudson
- Red 4 of diamonds – George Showalter
- Red 7 of diamonds – Timothy Jones
- Red King of diamonds – Antonio Houston, Danielle Marine
- Red 2 of hearts – Mark Dailey
- Red 4 of hearts – Bryant Wilks II
- Red 5 of hearts – Kristina Bishop
- Black 2 of spades – Virginia “Ginger” Davis
- Black 5 of spades – James D. Hickem
- Black 6 of spades – David Michael Bowers, Jr.
- Black King of spades – Michael Walker Jr., Jeffrey Jones
Springfield Region
- Red 9 of hearts – Elizabeth Hornbeck
- Red Queen of hearts – The Springfield 3 – Sheryl Levitt, Suzanne Streeter, Stacy McCall
- Red King of hearts – John “Tommy” Smith, Maureen Webb
Southeast Region
- Red 6 of hearts – Shyann Brooke Morrison
- Black 3 of spades – Rebecca Alsup
The Attorney General’s Office Cold Case-SAKI Section aids and supports law enforcement agencies across Missouri in the investigation and prosecution of unsolved homicide and other violent crimes. This team takes a fresh look at cold cases and leverages advances in forensic science, with the hope of providing a new focus, direction, and possible resolution for victims’ loved ones. The Attorney General’s ultimate mission is to provide a measure of justice and closure to the loved ones of those victims, who have been left with unanswered questions over time, while holding perpetrators of violent crimes accountable.
(Photo provided by Missouri Attorney General Hanaway’s office)