April 2021 | Issue #4
Some cold cases only need a fresh lead
or an anonymous call from a witness
Andre Jones. Nancy Little. Glenn Cofield. Dwayne McMahon. Marie Barton. Calvin Wilhite, Jr. Robert Wong.

These people — and many more in local police records — have two things in common: they died in the course of violent crimes and their cases have grown cold. In each person’s case, only new information —a fresh lead or a name or any small detail even — can help solve the crime and bring justice.
One cold case is that of Dominic Castillo.

The 22-year-old was on a long trek on foot from his home in Albuquerque, New Mexico. He and his dog companion arrived in Memphis February 11, 2017. It was his first visit to the city. As they walked through an area of southwest Memphis he encountered someone or some people and his life came to an end.

Castillo’s body was found along Nonconnah Creek. He died of strangulation.

Investigators believe someone knows something helpful in the case and requests help.
Information & help can heat up a cold case
Several factors often converge to make a case difficult to solve and turn cold.
These include a lack of enough evidence, few or no reliable witnesses, and missing forensic evidence, including DNA for testing.

Old cases can be solved nonetheless.

A witness can come forward. Someone who overheard a detail about a crime might contact CrimeStoppers anonymously with the information. Technology can continue to improve and provide new evidence in some cases.

Investigators even can spot a detail in a case file that when examined in new light can lead to new evidence. Or a victim’s family can remember a new detail after time goes by.

Anyone with a information can inform authorities two ways:

  • Contact CrimeStoppers by voice or text message to (901) 528-CASH (2274)
  • Call Cold Case detectives directly at the Cold Case Hotline: (901) 636-COLD(2653)

Read about some of the Memphis cold case files here.
Make a donation here and help CrimeStoppers help the MPD's Cold Case Unit.