Project Overview
The Louisiana Cold Case Project is a volunteer research initiative led by a licensed private investigator and former hostage negotiator. The project compiles, verifies, and organizes source-based information into accurate case profiles published directly on ColdCases.net. It documents homicides unsolved for five years or longer, alongside select endangered missing persons cases across Louisiana.
Why this Project Matters
More than 8,600 Louisiana homicide records dating from 1976-2025 are coded as uncleared in Murder Accountability Project data. While this dataset may contain reporting gaps, errors and cases that were later solved, it demonstrates the magnitude of our state’s unresolved homicide history.
Our goal is to produce well-researched, widely accessible profiles that may spark a memory, generate new information, or renew public attention.
Standards & Integrity Protocols
- Project Purpose: To preserve case histories, keep the victim at the center of each case, and renew public awareness.
- Investigative Boundaries: The project does not conduct independent criminal investigations or interfere with investigating agencies.
- Status Verification: Whenever possible, case status is confirmed with the primary investigating agency prior to entry into the public repository on ColdCases.net.
- Evidentiary Protection: Information discovered that could compromise an active investigation is excluded from profiles.
- Resolved Cases: Once confirmed solved or cleared by law enforcement, cases are moved into a searchable solved archive on ColdCases.net.
- Public Records: Documents obtained through public-records requests are used for research and verification. Source documents are not routinely published.
- Research Methodology: Case profiles are built from verifiable sources, including law enforcement records, public records, court filings, historical newspapers, and official government databases.
Cold Case Regions
- Bayou Assumption, Lafourche, St. Mary, Terrebonne
- Cajun Country — Acadia, Evangeline, Iberia, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, St. Landry, St. Martin, Vermilion
- Crossroads — Avoyelles, Catahoula, Concordia, Grant, LaSalle, Rapides
- Hill Country — Caldwell, Jackson, Lincoln, Morehouse, Ouachita, Union
- Imperial — Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron
- Kisatchie — Natchitoches, Sabine, Vernon, Winn
- Lower Delta — Plaquemines, St. Bernard
- Northeast Delta — East Carroll, Franklin, Madison, Richland, Tensas, West Carroll
- Northshore East — St. Tammany, Washington
- Northshore West — Livingston, St. Helena, Tangipahoa
- Old Claiborne Territory — Bienville, Claiborne, Webster
- Old Feliciana — East Feliciana, Pointe Coupee, West Feliciana
- Red River Valley — Bossier, Caddo, De Soto, Red River
- Red Stick — Ascension, East Baton Rouge, Iberville, West Baton Rouge
- River Parishes — St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist
- Southshore — Jefferson, Orleans