Calaveras Cold Case Task Force
A Nonprofit Organization
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The Mission
The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force was formed to assist Calaveras Law Enforcement Agencies in solving cold cases within Calaveras County. This includes funding costly forensic DNA analysis of unidentified human remains, finding missing persons, and solving homicides and other longstanding crimes.
The need
Many cases in Calaveras County have grown “cold” over the years due to a lack of investigative leads, no means of identifying human remains, and a lack of funding for private laboratory services that state government laboratories don’t provide.
Solution
Modern DNA and forensic science technology have led to the belief that many of the Calaveras Cold Cases can now be solved. Advances in science and modern techniques are instrumental in the CCTF’s mission to solve cold cases. Partnering with cutting-edge laboratories is essential to scientifically solving crimes.
Expert Team
We’re constantly recruiting among the best and brightest from the Calaveras Sheriff’s Office Officers, Calaveras District Attorney Investigators, other law enforcement agencies, forensic anthropologists, crime analysis experts, and scientists to meet our goals.
How can you Help?
The task force depends on donations from the public to fund costly forensic analyses that government-funded laboratories cannot provide. These services include genetic analysis of unidentified remains to finally give a name to victims of violent crime. Your donation of any amount can help solve a crime!
Top Cold Cases
Please note that the team is investigating many cases that are not being shared at this time. These are just a few.
Identifying the Victims of Serial Killers
The Charles Ng & Leonard Lake Serial Killings:
This duo of killers left numerous victims, including whole families, whose remains were never identified. Over 1,000 pieces of human bone fragments and teeth were discovered at the scene of these horrific crimes. Some of these bones have been classified by experts as belonging to babies and toddlers. It is believed there may be victims who have remained unknown all these years, and the team intends to identify these nameless victims and ensure that they are remembered and their stories can be brought to light.
Originally placed in a crypt in the People’s Cemetery in San Andreas, CA, the CCTF obtained a court order to exhume the remains and begin the identification process. The goal is to return the victims to their loved ones so they can be laid to rest. The team is actively working to identify each piece of unidentified bones and teeth with the help of cutting-edge DNA and genetic genealogy.
Identifying the ParrotTs Ferry Jane Doe
Jane Doe was discovered in the waters of the Stanislaus River below the Parrotts Ferry Bridge in 2015. Her remains consisted of a torso and thighs. A chain was wrapped around her waist, and a concrete block was found nearby. Her remains have not been identified, but due to progress in DNA technology and techniques, the team is close to identifying this lost and forgotten woman who became the victim of a violent murderer.
Discovering the identity of a Killer: Roy Dixon Homicide
In 1997, the body of Roy Dixon was discovered alongside Winton Road a few miles outside West Point, CA, near his burned Jeep Cherokee. Investigators determined that the fire had been ignited deliberately and that Dixon had been murdered. Although several leads were developed during the investigation, evidence and leads were not sufficient to arrest and charge the perpetrator(s) of the murder. Dixon’s homicide has remained an open case for nearly three decades, but the Cold Case Task Force is reexamining all the evidence, analyzing DNA, and utilizing modern forensic science to hopefully solve the case and bring Dixon’s killer to justice.
Hector Girol Homicide
Hector Girol was shot while taking a shower at his home in Copperopolis, CA in 2000. While several leads were established at the time, there was insufficient evidence to bring his killer to justice. However, the team is working with scientists to create new leads with the intention of solving this longstanding mystery and giving Hector the justice he deserves.
Meet Our Team
The Calaveras Cold Case Task Force
The Cold Case Task Force is comprised of Calaveras County Agencies working in collaboration with experts from around the United States to solve Calaveras County cold cases that have remained unsolved for decades.