True Crime Cases That Were Solved In 2023

From infamous murders to lesser-known tragedies, revisited evidence and advancements in DNA finally led to justice in these cases.

By: Alexa Rockwell

Photo By: Julie Burger via Facebook

Photo By: FBI

Photo By: Monterey County District Attorney's Office

Photo By: Burlington Police Department

Photo By: Warner Bros. Discovery, Inc. (Screenshot from ID's "True Crime with Aphrodite Jones")

Photo By: Boone County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: King County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: Longueuil Police Department

Photo By: Franklin County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: Charles County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: Phoenix Police Department

Photo By: Julie Burger via Facebook

Photo By: NCMEC

Photo By: Kansas City Police Department

Photo By: Sonoma County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: Polk County Sheriff's Office

Photo By: Georgia Bureau of Investigation

Photo By: Polk County Sheriff's Office

Cold Cases Solved in 2023

For years, these cases have been cold — until this year, when advancements in DNA technology helped bring closure to the victims' family and friends.

'Lady Of The Dunes' Cold Case Closed After Her Husband Was Named The Killer

Ruth Marie Terry, who was known only as the “Lady of the Dunes” for nearly 50 years, was identified, and now her husband has been named as her killer.

The Murder of Sonia Carmen Herok-Stone

More than 41 years after the murder of 30-year-old Sonia Carmen Herok-Stone, DNA from under her fingernail led to the conviction of Michael Scott Glazebrook.

DNA From A Cigarette Helped Solve The Murder Of A Vermont Woman After Five Decades

After 52 years, police identified the man who viciously murdered 24-year-old schoolteacher Rita Curran in the summer of 1971.

Paul Flores Sentenced To 25 Years To Life For Murder Of Kristin Smart

On March 10, 2023, Paul Flores was sentenced to 25 years to life in prison for the 1996 disappearance and death of his classmate Kristin Smart.

Cold Case Murder Of Kentucky Teenager Solved Almost 5 Decades Later

16-year-old Carol Sue Klaber was found in a roadside ditch on June 5, 1976. Her murder went unsolved until March 2023 when authorities announced they used genetic genealogy to finally identify her killer.

NYPD Detective Identifies Suspect In Cold-Case Murder Of Pregnant Woman Who Died In Front Of Son

On Feb. 5, 1996, Jasmine “Jazzie” Porter, 36, was raped and murdered in her Bronx apartment while her then-5-year-old son, Jeremy, was present.

Justice Finally Served For Washington Teen Who Was Brutally Murdered In 1991

Over three decades after Sarah Yarborough was brutally murdered on her way to meet her high school drill team, her murderer was finally convicted.

West Virginia Man Identified As Killer In One Of Canada's Most Notorious Cold Cases

Sharron Prior was murdered in March 1975 in the Montreal neighborhood where she lived. The case went cold for decades until 2023, when police finally identified the teenager’s killer.

Suspect Arrested In Connection With 1987 Cold Case Murder Of Missouri Woman

The 35-year-old mystery of who killed 22-year-old Karla Jane Delcour and dumped her body in a wooded area in Missouri has been solved after a man recently pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter, authorities said.

Arrest Made In 44-Year-Old Cold Case Murder Of Maryland Woman

On Aug. 27, 1979, Vickie Lynn Belk was abducted after leaving work at the Department of Agriculture in D.C. Her body was found two days later, and she had been raped and fatally shot. 44 years later, someone was arrested for her murder.

'Zombie Hunter' Sentenced To Death For Murdering Two Women In The 1990s

A man who referred to himself as the ‘Zombie Hunter’ has been sentenced to death for the separate murders of Angela Brosso and Melanie Bernas in the 1990s.

DNA Helps Solve The 1984 Cold Case Murder Of Donna Macho

Teen Donna Macho was brutally attacked and murdered in 1984, and her killer has now been positively identified.

Former Pastor Charged After Confessing To Abducting, Killing 8-Year-Old Girl In 1975

8-year-old Gretchen Harrington was abducted and murdered on her way to church in August 1975. Nearly 48 years later, in July 2023, 83-year-old David Zandstra was arrested for the crime.

Trucker Charged In Kansas City Cold Case Murders, Police Believe There May Be More Victims

A 52-year-old man is charged with the 1990’s murders, solving the gruesome cold cases of Pearl Davis and Christina King that have haunted Kansas City for decades.

Over Four Decades Later, Man Arrested For Sonoma Woman’s Brutal Murder

On June 27, 1983, 37-year-old Noelle Russo was beaten to death in Northern California. Just over 40 years later, authorities were finally able to solve the murder and make an arrest thanks to DNA technology and the preservation of other evidence.

After 37 Years, The Cold Case Murder Of Florida Nurse Teresa Lee Scalf Is Finally Solved

After nearly four decades, the brutal 1986 murder of Teresa Lee Scalf, a young Florida nurse, has been solved thanks to DNA evidence.

Former Couple Arrested Almost 35 Years After 5-Year-Old Girl’s Concrete-Encased Body Found

A woman and her former boyfriend were arrested nearly 35 years after the grisly discovery of a child encased in concrete and left in a wooded area in southeast Georgia.

80-Year-Old Woman Charged In 1985 Cold Case Murder Of Romantic Rival

A love-triangle resulted in the tragic murder of Yvonne Menke nearly four decades ago. The alleged killer, now 80, has finally been arrested for shooting her three times in her head and neck.

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