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Iowa cold case bill gets full Iowa Senate support
April 14, 2021 — DES MOINES, Iowa (KWWL) – In a 46-0 vote, Senate File 561 passed in hopes of creating a dedicated cold case unit with the Iowa Department of Public Safety.
“A similar unit existed for three years up until a decade ago, and some cold cases, as far back as 40 years, were solved,” said sponsor Senator Jeff Taylor, a Republican from Sioux County.
The bill will create a dedicated cold case unit under the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation. It would consist of two special agents to pursue past killings regardless of when they occurred.
The bill will increase the cost to the DPS by an estimated $298,600 in FY 2023 and $138,400 in FY 2024.
Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers wholeheartedly supports any effort to fund the investigation of these unsolved cases. With the continuous advancements that are being made in the world of science we believe these cases should be revisited periodically in an effort to give the victim and their families the justice they deserve.
Please call your local state representative and encourage them to support this much needed Cold Case Unit! Find Your Legislator Here.
Human remains discovered in DeWitt identified as missing 10-year-old Breasia Terrell
UPDATE: DAVENPORT, IOWA (March 31, 2021) – In a joint presentation with multiple law enforcement and community resource partners, The Davenport Police Department announced on Wednesday, March 31, that The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics Laboratory has confirmed through autopsy the human remains found on March 22 in DeWitt, Iowa, are those of Breasia Terrell.
Breasia Terrell, 10, was reported missing to Davenport police on July 10.
(Courtesy photo Iowa Dept. of Public Safety)
Terrell was reported missing to the Davenport Police Department on July 10, 2020. In the months since her disappearance, Davenport Police in conjunction with the Division of Criminal Investigation, and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), have responded to several hundred tips related to the case, Davenport Police Chief Paul Sikorski said in Wednesday’s press release.
“We are deeply saddened to learn of the findings from DCI’s Crime Lab. We grieve alongside Breasia’s family and the community,” Sikorski said. “What’s important to know is this: the work of our investigators is not over. This is an open and ongoing investigation. We understand that the community wants to know where the investigation stands, and if anyone will be charged in this heinous crime. Because we are fully committed to the integrity of the investigation, we cannot comment on specific details – other than to say we are professionally, thoroughly and with our deepest commitment to justice, continuing the investigation. When we can share details with the community, we will.”
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We Remember: Upcoming Cold Case Anniversaries
We remember upcoming cold case anniversaries and birthdays the victims would have celebrated.
