Attorney General Bird Discusses Cold Case Unit Partnership with Law Enforcement


Courtesy KCRG-TV9

Press Release from the Iowa Attorney General’s Office

DES MOINES—Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird on Tuesday, July 2, discussed the office’s cold case unit’s partnership with local law enforcement to investigate Iowa’s more than 400 unsolved murders. The announcement was made in a press conference at the Cedar Rapids Police Department in Linn County. 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
  • Chief David Dostal, Cedar Rapids Police Department
  • Sheriff Brian Gardner, Linn County Sheriff’s Office
  • Nick Maybanks, Linn County Attorney

“The Cedar Rapids Police Department’s cold case unit is a success story,” said Attorney General Bird. “But most other states also have a statewide cold case unit to back law enforcement in searching for answers. Now, Iowa does too. I look forward to partnering with our law enforcement heroes, like our friends here in Linn County, to help families and seek justice. If we solve even one cold case, and uncover answers for one family, it is all worth it.”

The cold case unit will consist of three full-time investigators and one prosecutor. The unit will partner with local law enforcement agencies in different regions across the state 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.

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We Remember … Upcoming Anniversaries

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

 

Arnold Sansgaard Arnold Sansgaard
58 YOA
Rural Route
Boone County
Case # 84-03531
July 14, 1984
Dennis Chaffee Dennis Chaffee
33 YOA
914 28th St. SE
Cedar Rapids, IA
Linn County
July 17, 1983
Don Graspy crime scene Donald E. Graspy
46 YOA
1104 Fremont
Des Moines, IA
Case # 2003-27457
July 17, 2003
Kim Loose Kim Loose, 16
From: Blue Grass, IA
Died in: Walcott, IA
September 26, 1986
Would have celebrated 54th birthday July 17
Mervin Walvatne Mervin Leo Walvatne
Age at Report: 53
Missing From:
Spencer, IA
Case # 1174690
July 18, 1990
Des Moines logo Robert Furnish
1215 6th
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Case # 1996-30538
July 18, 1996
Donald Murphy Donald Murphy, 39
Disappeared from
Knoxville 7-20-1984
Marion County
Found in Polk County
July 20, 1984
Rick Lynne Davis
Rick Davis, 36
Oskaloosa, IA
Mahaska County
One misplaced comma
seals records
July 20, 1986
Sandra Kinney Sandra Dee Kinney
33 YOA
Mississippi River
Davenport, IA
Scott County
July 20, 1996
 

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