Our mission is to assist law enforcement agencies in Monterey County, in solving violent crimes, specifically unsolved homicides, sexual assaults, long-term missing persons cases and unidentified human remains. We fund advanced forensic technologies and methodologies, to provide new investigative leads and breathe life into cases that have gone dormant.
Monterey County is home to over 600 unsolved homicides.
Each unsolved case represents a life lost, a family shattered, and a community left searching for answers. Behind every cold case lies a story—unfinished, unheard, and unresolved.
Today, advances in forensic science offer new hope.
Modern DNA analysis, genetic genealogy, and other breakthroughs can identify unknown victims, reveal hidden perpetrators, and deliver long-overdue justice. But the costs—ranging from $15,000 to $35,000 per case—are beyond the reach of most local law enforcement agencies.
That’s where the Cold Case Project of Monterey County steps in.
Working in full partnership with local law enforcement, we raise the funds needed to apply advanced forensic tools to dormant investigations. Together, with the help of science and community support, we’re breathing new life into cold cases.
We’re turning silence into answers, and loss into justice. Please join us on this journey.
Crime affects everyone in Monterey County, however, violent crime disproportionately impacts communities of color and underserved populations. When these cases go unsolved, it leaves communities in a state of fear. It also allows perpetrators to continue harming others and prevents the affected communities from moving forward and healing. We cannot let funding determine whether a case is solved. Every life deserves justice. This is why the Cold Case Project of Monterey County exists.
Monterey County is currently facing a significant backlog of over 600 unsolved homicides, sexual assaults, and unidentified human remains cases. While advanced forensic investigative technology and methodologies offer promising avenues for generating crucial leads and ultimately resolving these cold cases, funding remains the biggest obstacle for local law enforcement agencies. Securing the necessary funding would be a vital step toward bringing much-needed answers and helping the community heal.
Cold case homicides in Monterey County pose a significant challenge for local law enforcement agencies, which often find it difficult to allocate resources for their resolution. The slow and costly nature of DNA testing forces many departments to prioritize other pressing needs. The Cold Case Project of Monterey County serves as a vital resource for agencies like Seaside, which currently has 33 unsolved homicides. Without the support of organizations like this project, funding for investigating these cases would be nearly impossible. I wholeheartedly support The Cold Case Project of Monterey County, as their dedicated efforts can bring justice to families and enhance community safety.
- Chief Nick Borges, Seaside
