ALL NEWS

Many families lack closure with cold case backlog across US

Apr 7, 2021, 6:56 PM

Joyce Yost was presumed dead after she disappeared, and eventually a man confessed to killing her. But with her body still missing, her family continues to seek answers about what happened to her. Photo: Joyce Yost family

SALT LAKE CITY — The launch of a new season of the KSL podcast COLD this week highlights one of the plights of families whose loved ones disappeared or were murdered: they have to wait because the United States has a cold case backlog. 

Season 2 of COLD focuses on the disappearance of Joyce Yost. In 1985, her rapist told her he would tear her throat out if she went to the police; she went anyway. A man named Doug Lovell eventually confessed to Yost’s murder.  He received the death penalty. But he continues to fight his conviction to this day. 

Yost’s body was never found. Neither was that of Susan Powell, the subject of COLD’s first season, who vanished from West Valley City in 2009.

They represent just a fraction of the families awaiting closure after years of frustration from the cold case backlog. 

Read more: Corpus Delicti: COLD Season 2 launches with focus on Joyce Yost

Cold case backlog affects thousands of families 

The FBI’s annual review of missing person statistics revealed nearly 90,000 active and open missing persons investigations in the US in 2020. 

Karra Porter, co-founder of the Utah Cold Case Coalition, says on top of the number of people who have missing loved ones, the United States currently has thousands of unidentified bodies, John and Jane Does, whose identities could potentially provide answers and closure. 

“There’s 14,000 people, and the bodies are there. They just haven’t been identified,” she said. 

She’s calling on the government to do more to identify those remains to bring closure to families. 

For the families directly affected, she says they become desperate — sometimes so much so, they will blame anyone. 

“Or they start to internalize their fear and their sadness, and I’ve seen situations where the family never recovers,” Porter said. “It eats at these families, it’s mentally and physically exhausting.” 

Read more: 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

The steel frame of the Francis Scott Key Bridge sits on top of the container ship Dali after the br...

Nick Perry

Baltimore bridge collapse puts the highly specialized role of ship’s pilot under the spotlight

The highly specialized role — in which a pilot temporarily takes control of a ship from its regular captain — is coming under the spotlight this week.

6 hours ago

Shopping carts are parked outside a Home Depot in Philadelphia...

MICHELLE CHAPMAN AP Business Writer

Home Depot buying supplier to professional contractors in a deal valued at about $18.25 billion

Home Depot will buy SRS Distribution, a materials provider for professionals, in a deal valued at approximately $18.25 billion.

7 hours ago

Killer Mike poses in the press room with three trophies he won at the 66th annual Grammy Awards on ...

Carter Williams, KSL.com

Recent Grammy winners highlight Ogden Twilight Concert Series lineup

Hip hop star Michael Render, known by his stage name Killer Mike, fresh off of three Grammy Award wins last month, is one of several musical artists set to headline this year's Ogden Twilight Concert Series.

7 hours ago

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

10 hours ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

10 hours ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

10 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Many families lack closure with cold case backlog across US