- Did you heat about these stories in the past?
Have you heard of these true crime stories? Modern technology sure is good for this.
The 1974 Murder of Barbara Waldman Solved (March 2026) – More than 52 years after 31-year-old Barbara Waldman was raped and murdered inside her family’s home in Oceanside, New York, investigators identified her killer through advanced DNA technology. The suspect, a former sanitation worker, had died years earlier, meaning he could never stand trial. Barbara’s five-year-old son had discovered her body in 1974, making the case one of Long Island’s most haunting unsolved murders until modern forensic genealogy finally provided answers.
Mary Theresa Simpson’s Killer Identified After 61 Years (February 2026) – In 1964, 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson disappeared while walking to a church event in
Elmira, New York. She was later found murdered. A tiny, nearly invisible DNA sample preserved on her clothing for over six decades allowed investigators to identify her killer in 2026, making it one of the oldest homicide cases ever solved using modern DNA technology. Did you know about this as one of the true crime stories?
1989 Tampa Kidnapping and Sexual Assault Finally Solved (May 2026) – A seven-year-old girl was abducted from a bowling alley in Tampa, Florida, in 1989 before being sexually assaulted and released. Detectives collected DNA evidence at the time but had no match for decades. In 2026, improvements in forensic analysis finally identified the suspect, closing a case that had haunted investigators for nearly 40 years.
The Mystery of “Warren Kuchinsky” Finally Solved (March 2026) – In 1986, a human skull was discovered in the woods of Bristol, New Hampshire. For almost 40 years, investigators had no idea who the victim was. Using forensic genetic genealogy, authorities identified the remains as Warren Kuchinsky, who had last been seen alive during the mid-1970s. Although investigators are still working to determine exactly how he died, the identification finally gave his family long-awaited answers. Did you know about this as one of the true crime stories?
1978 Florida Interstate Jane Doe Identified (May 2026) – Skeletal remains found near Interstate 10 in Columbia County, Florida, in 1978 had remained unidentified for nearly five decades. Through forensic genealogy, investigators determined the remains belonged to Lonny Reeves, a Coast Guard veteran and artist who had disappeared during the 1970s. While detectives found no evidence of homicide, the identification closed one of Florida’s oldest unidentified-person cases. Did you know about this as one of the true crime stories?
Fresh Evidence in the Black Dahlia Case (July 2026) – Although the 1947 murder of Elizabeth Short, known as the “Black Dahlia,” remains officially unsolved, investigators connected to a new documentary uncovered a motel room believed to be linked to the killing. Roughly 40 suspected blood samples hidden behind walls are undergoing DNA testing, raising the possibility of the biggest forensic breakthrough in nearly 80 years. Whether the evidence will ultimately solve the case remains uncertain.
New Breakthrough in the 1989 Richard “Ricky” Haywood Murder (July 2026) – Southampton jeweler Richard “Ricky”
Haywood was found shot multiple times in his bathtub above his jewelry shop in 1989. For 37 years the execution-style killing remained unsolved. In July 2026, police arrested a 55-year-old man after reexamining forensic evidence and reopening the investigation, giving hope that one of Britain’s most notorious cold cases may finally be resolved.
The Redhead Murders Receive New Attention (July 2026) – A new documentary series reignited interest in the Redhead Murders, a string of killings targeting mostly red-haired women during the late 1970s and early 1980s across the southern United States. A Tennessee teacher and his students helped identify one previously unknown victim and uncovered new leads connecting possible suspects. While most of the murders remain unsolved, the renewed investigation has generated fresh momentum and public interest.
What do you think of these true crime stories? Tell us your thoughts in the comments!