Attorney General Bird Launches Cold Case Unit to Seek Justice for Victims and Families

Courtesy photo Iowa Attorney General’s Office

June 18, 2024 — News Release from Attorney General Brenna Bird

DES MOINES—Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird today announced the launch of her office’s new cold case unit to investigate Iowa’s more than 400 unsolved murders. The announcement was made in a press conference at the Polk County Sheriff’s Office in Des Moines. Speakers at the press conference also included:

  • Steve Ponsetto, Investigator and lead of the Iowa cold case unit in the Iowa Attorney General’s Office
  • Sheriff Kevin Schneider, Polk County Sheriff
  • Jody Ewing, founder of IowaColdCases.org
  • Josh Okland, brother of cold case victim Ashley Okland

“I became a prosecutor to fight for victims and families,” said Attorney General Bird. “That is why on day one in office, I made it a priority to build our office’s first cold case unit. I am glad to announce that we have today launched our new unit that will bring fresh eyes to Iowa’s cold cases and dedicate a team to detecting new leads. And I thank the legislature for granting us the budget to make it happen. My promise to families of Iowa cold case victims is this: we will never give up, we will never stop searching, and we will never lose hope. If even one case is solved, it is all worth it. No one should get away with murder.”

The cold case unit will consist of three full-time investigators and one prosecutor. The unit will partner with local law enforcement agencies across Iowa to crack cold cases, seek answers for families, and ensure no murderer walks free.

To submit a cold case tip, contact the Iowa Attorney General’s office at 1-800-242-5100 or coldcase@ag.iowa.gov.


We Remember … Upcoming Anniversaries

We remember cold case anniversaries and birthdays the victims would have celebrated.

 

George Dean headstone George Earl Dean
55 YOA
Mapleton, IA
Monona County
Case # 66-00722
June 29, 1966
1729-grand-ave-des-moines-lois-bradley-165px Lois Bradley
74 YOA
1729 Grand #204
Des Moines, IA
Case # 1991-27537
June 29, 1991
Hitesville Cemetery Edward R. Uhlenhopp
85 YOA
Butler St. & 4th Ave.
Ackley, IA
Hardin County
June 29, 2001
Joe Floyd headstone Joe Junior Floyd
42 YOA
Council Bluffs, IA
Pottawattamie County
Case # D67-18
July 1, 1967
Harry Milligan Harry D. Milligan
Age at Report: 21
Missing From:
Albia, IA
Missing Since:
July 1, 1984
Henry Juchems mailbox Henry Juchems
81 YOA
Steamboat Rock, IA
Hardin County
Case # 85-03433
July 3, 1985
Michael Delaney Michael J. Delaney
Age at Report: 49
Missing From:
Davenport, IA
Case # 08-13161
July 3, 2008
Diane Schofield Diane M. Schofield
21 YOA
2000 Blk. Porter
Des Moines, IA
Case # 1975-24048
July 4, 1975
Crystal Arensdorf Crystal Arensdorf
Age at Report: 20
Endangered/physical
Dubuque, IA
Case # 01-25185
July 4, 2001
 

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