An inside peek at Montgomery County’s cold case unit

Antony Shannon, an investigator in Montgomery, Alabama, keeps a box of files near his desk. These files contain case files of cold cases, each with its own unique victim, story, and face. Antony is responsible for solving these cases and bringing justice to the families of the victims.

Shannon recognizes the immense effort required to work on cold cases and is dedicated to putting in the hard work to solve them. Bringing closure to families affected by these cases is a top priority for Shannon, as it holds significant meaning for her.

As the sole full-time investigator for the Montgomery County Cold Case Task Force, he works closely with multiple agencies, including the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, the Montgomery Police Department, and the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office to crack unsolved cases.

Shannon dedicates the majority of his time to meticulously scrutinizing files, contacting witnesses, and pursuing leads. Although it may seem dull, these tasks are vital to his work.

“He mentioned that the process involves a significant amount of reading, reaching out to various communities, conversing with a multitude of individuals, distributing business cards, gathering information, and rekindling interest in those cases,” he stated.

Montgomery County’s cold case unit contains a plethora of case files, with some dating back to the 1970s. As expected, older cases can pose a greater challenge for investigators. However, advancements in forensic technology have proven to be extremely helpful. Despite the difficulties, the unit is encouraged when hearing about cases like the “Opelika Baby Jane Doe” being solved.

According to Shannon, the new DNA technology is truly a remarkable innovation. She finds it inspiring to hear of other cold cases being solved, as it provides motivation to continue working in this field.

According to reports, the task force, which was established in 2019, has been able to successfully solve 10 cases so far. The unit was created with the aim of providing assistance to detectives and supporting the families involved in these cases. Despite being relatively new, the task force has been able to make a significant impact in the community through its diligent efforts and dedication to justice.

As per the words of Montgomery County District Attorney Daryl Bailey, the families should be informed that they are not forgotten.

According to Shannon, the current turnover rate at police departments throughout the nation is quite high. As a result, it can be challenging to find and retain officers who are committed solely to solving cold cases. The job is not for the faint of heart, and it’s not uncommon to lose sleep at night due to the overwhelming number of cases. However, despite the difficulties, those who pursue this line of work are deeply passionate about what they do and are driven to bring closure to families affected by these cold cases.

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MBS Staff
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