News Summary
A collaborative effort between Michigan State University and the Michigan State Police has resolved a 28-year-old cold case in Blissfield Township. The Cold Case Unit, consisting of MSU students and MSP detectives, has identified the Sepulveda brothers as key suspects in the homicide of an unidentified male found in 1997. The success of this initiative has led to the establishment of a new cold case unit in Northern Michigan, aiming to utilize advanced techniques to provide closure to unresolved homicides.
Blissfield Township, Michigan – The collaborative effort between Michigan State University (MSU) and the Michigan State Police (MSP) has successfully solved its second cold case, bringing closure to a homicide that had gone unsolved for nearly 28 years. This initiative, known as the Cold Case Unit, pairs MSU students from the School of Criminal Justice with law enforcement detectives to tackle cold cases in MSP’s First District.
The recently resolved case involved the body of an unidentified male, referred to as a “John Doe,” found in a cornfield in Blissfield Township in 1997. Initial investigations suggested that the circumstances surrounding the death might have been connected to international drug trafficking. However, as the investigation unfolded, it became evident that available evidence was not sufficient to make any substantial headway at the time.
In 2014, Detective Sgt. Larry Rothman was assigned to the case but faced challenges due to limited resources and time. The MSP-MSU Cold Case Collaboration, launched in 2020, provided Rothman with a dedicated team of students, researchers, and practitioners to revitalize the investigation. This partnership has allowed students to engage in investigative activities akin to the work of detectives on active cases, including organizing case files and visiting pivotal locations.
Through their rigorous efforts, the MSU students also simulated juror experiences to assist the MSP in crafting a strategic legal approach. Their commitment to the project played a crucial role in identifying Richardo and Michael Sepulveda as key suspects in the long-dormant homicide case. In 2023, the Michigan Attorney General’s office formally charged the Sepulveda brothers in connection with the crime. Michael Sepulveda had previously accepted a plea deal in 2022, while Richardo Sepulveda faced a jury trial and was subsequently found guilty in 2023.
The recent success of this case has also resulted in the MSP establishing a new cold case unit that will assess and organize cold cases within the Seventh District of Northern Michigan, which stretches from Traverse City to Cheboygan. The unit will operate out of the district headquarters in Gaylord, under the leadership of Detective Sergeant Matt Wilt. This dedicated group aims to focus solely on cold cases, a strategy that contrasts with previous efforts that were often disrupted by other responsibilities.
The new unit plans to evaluate cases based on a solvability scoring system developed by the MSP. There is no specific timeframe after which a case is officially classified as cold; rather, the distinction relies on the ongoing investigative efforts that may still involve active inquiries. The goal of this initiative emphasizes utilizing advancements in DNA analysis and other investigative techniques to aid in resolving these complex cases and providing closure to affected families.
It is vital to note that under Michigan law, there is no statute of limitations for homicide cases. This allows ongoing investigations to continue seeking justice regardless of how much time has passed since the crime occurred. The renewed focus on cold cases through the MSP-MSU collaboration illustrates a significant commitment to utilizing educational resources and technological advancements to tackle unresolved crimes and uphold justice for victims and their families.
As this innovative partnership progresses, it is anticipated that more cold cases will see renewed attention and potentially lead to further resolutions. The implications of this work extend beyond the individual cases, aiming to restore faith in the justice system for victims and communities strained by unresolved crimes.
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Additional Resources
- Our Midland: MSU Students Solve Cold Case
- Wikipedia: Cold Case
- Statesman Journal: Oregon Cold Case Victim Identified
- Google Search: Michigan State Police Cold Case
- Petoskey News: Michigan State Police Forms New Cold Case Team
- Google Scholar: Cold Case Crime Solving
- Traverse Ticker: State Police Launch Cold Case Team
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Cold Case Investigation
