The Placer County (California) Sheriff’s Office is proud to announce the formation of the Placer County Cold Case Foundation, a newly established 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to supporting the investigation and resolution of cold cases throughout Placer County.
The foundation was created to help offset the significant costs associated with advancing cold case investigations, particularly forensic and DNA testing. Depending on the complexity of a case, the number of items submitted for testing, and the type of analysis required, testing expenses can reach upwards of $50,000 per case.
Placer County currently has more than 80 cold cases, including homicides, missing persons, and unidentified remains. While many people associate the term “cold case” with unsolved murders, the category is much broader. It also includes individuals who were reported missing and never found, as well as Jane and John Does whose remains were located but have never been identified. In some of these situations, the manner of death may be unknown or unrelated to a crime, but the cases remain open until answers are found.
“The Placer County Cold Case Foundation will make a tangible difference in our ability to pursue justice and provide closure,” said Sheriff Wayne Woo. “Every case represents a person, a family, and a community still waiting for answers.”
In addition to funding critical investigative work, the foundation will serve as a platform to raise awareness of cold cases, support affected families, and strengthen collaboration with partner agencies. The goal is to bring renewed attention to unsolved cases, encourage public engagement, and help keep hope alive for those still waiting for resolution.
For more information about the Placer County Cold Case Foundation, including how to support its mission, you can visit placercoldcase.org or find more information on the Placer County Cold Case Foundation Facebook page.
Republished courtesy of Placer County