More Cases. Better Research Tools. The Same Commitment to Answers.

Our Case Database Continues to Grow

Not long ago, Independent Detective contained just over 100 case files. As of this update, our database has reached 1,645 published cases, with approximately 1,000 more awaiting research, preparation, or publication.

Within the last month we’ve added 600 additional people whose stories are now part of our growing archive.

These are not simply statistics. Behind every case is a person with a name, a history, relationships, and people who care about what happened to them. Some families have waited decades. Others are only beginning to face the uncertainty surrounding a disappearance or an unsolved death.

Our goal is to make these stories easier to find and to help ensure they are not forgotten as time passes.

New Improvements to Interactive Case Statistics

We have made several improvements to our Interactive Case Statistics dashboard, giving visitors more control over how they explore information in the archive.

Visitors can compare information by age, location, year, decade, case type, and other available categories.

• Multiple comparisons: Select several values at once instead of adding each individually.
• Clearer graph selections: Easily see which values are already displayed and which can be added.
• Select All and Clear All: Manage large groups of options, including categories with hundreds of cities.
• Improved readability: Updated controls and labels make comparisons easier to understand.
• Smoother chart updates: Improvements help prevent the page from unexpectedly jumping while charts change.
• More flexible research: Add and remove graph values while keeping control of your comparisons.

Explore Cases Through Our Interactive Map

Our interactive case map provides another way to discover the individuals and investigations represented in our archive. Visitors can explore cases geographically and narrow their searches using available location, date, and case-type filters.

As our database expands, tools like the map and statistics dashboard help people discover cases they might never have encountered through a traditional search.

Map markers represent approximate locations and should not be interpreted as exact incident addresses.

Know of a Case We Haven’t Included?

Although our database continues to grow, we know there are many missing persons and unsolved homicide cases that have not yet been included.

If someone you love is missing, if your family is waiting for answers about an unsolved homicide, or if you know of a case that deserves attention, we encourage you to contact us.

You do not need to be a family member to recommend a case. We welcome suggestions from friends, neighbors, community members, advocates, and anyone who believes a person’s story should be included.

When contacting us, please include the person’s name, location, approximate date, and any publicly available information or sources that may help with our research.

With approximately 1,000 cases already pending, we cannot guarantee immediate publication. We appreciate your patience as we continue researching and preparing cases carefully.

Your Information May Be More Important Than You Realize

Sometimes, information that seems insignificant to one person may be important to an investigation.

An old conversation, something witnessed years ago, a detail that did not seem unusual at the time, or something another person once mentioned may be worth sharing with investigators.

If you have information about a missing person or an unsolved homicide, please contact the investigating law enforcement agency listed on that person’s case page.

Recollections, rumors, and secondhand accounts should be identified honestly and shared privately with investigators rather than used to make public accusations.

Independent Detective is not a law enforcement agency. Contacting our website does not replace submitting a tip directly to investigators.