King County Sheriff's Office Major Crimes detectives are turning back the clock and asking the public for help on a case that has been cold for more than forty years. In a short video posted to the agency’s Facebook page on April 24, 2026, investigators said they have reopened the file and want any memories, photos, or records that might finally move the investigation forward.
The sheriff’s reel describes the case only as "more than four decades old" and makes a broad appeal for tips, according to the King County Sheriff's Office. The brief post urges people to dig through old photographs, calendars, and guest lists for anything that might jog a memory. Detectives note that even tiny details can change the direction of a long-cold file.
Why Detectives Are Turning To The Public
King County does not have a dedicated cold case unit, so Major Crimes detectives often balance decades-old files with current investigations, a resource strain that limits how often older cases get fresh attention. As reported by FOX 13 Seattle, the sheriff’s office has gone more than ten years without a formal cold case unit, leaving many families waiting for answers. That reality has pushed deputies to lean on social media and public appeals to stir up new leads.
New Tools Have Reopened Old Files
Recent advances in forensic genetic genealogy, along with statewide efforts to collect overdue DNA samples, have given investigators new ways to test preserved evidence and develop leads. One example is the 1980 Kent murder case, where genetic genealogy helped identify a suspect decades after the crime, as detailed by The Seattle Times. The Washington Attorney General’s Office has also backed expanded DNA collection and forensic work to assist local investigations, according to a news release from the Attorney General's Office.
How To Share Tips And What To Save
Detectives are asking anyone with potential information to look through old photos, letters, phone logs, and appointment books, and to hold on to anything that might help establish a clearer timeline. The sheriff’s social media post links viewers to the agency’s Facebook reel, and anonymous tips can also be sent through Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound at 1-800-222-TIPS or via the P3Tips app, according to Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound. Investigators say those personal records, combined with modern testing, can sometimes turn a hazy recollection into a solid investigatory lead.
Major Crimes detectives say they will keep reopening and reviewing old files as resources allow and will follow up on credible leads. For now, the sheriff’s office is steering tipsters toward its Facebook post and standard anonymous reporting channels while detectives work to deliver long-awaited answers to families.
