True crime stories are as disturbing as they are fascinating, which is why the public gravitates toward them. Many folks want to dive deep into the most notorious cold cases in the United States, hoping they can crack the case like Michelle McNamara did with “The Golden State Killer.”
Lizzie Borden’s Axe Whacks
Although Lizzie Borden has a nursery rhyme highlighting her alleged crimes like she’s Freddy Kruger, the case is still open. Lizzie, her parents, and a maid were alone in the home on August 4, 1892, where Lizzie claimed her father and stepmother died. Considering Lizzie bought poison before this event, it seemed clear-cut that Lizzie and the maid, Bridget Sullivan, were the culprits. Yet, the court exonerated Lizzie, claiming that the evidence was circumstantial, and the case remains unresolved.
Where in the World Is Jimmy Hoffa?
If anyone watched The Sopranos, you know how integral union leaders were for organized crime. Jimmy Hoffa was the leader of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters for 13 years until he vanished from the planet in 1975.
Hoffa’s ties to the mob landed him in prison for 13 years, but he got released thanks to a Richard Nixon pardon in 1971 on the promise that he’d steer clear of any wrongdoing. Hoffa scoffed at that notion, jumping right back into it while gaining support in Detroit. But four years later, Hoffa disappeared, and the mystery behind it led to many theories, including that his final resting place was under Giants Stadium.
The D.B. Cooper Mystery
There were more shenanigans in 1971 as the world became acquainted with a flight passenger named D.B. Cooper. A man boarded a one-way flight to Seattle on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving for a mere $20. Cooper didn’t seem suspicious, wearing a suit and tie as most travelers did during that time, but he was up to no good.
Cooper gave a flight attendant a note that she initially ignored, causing Cooper to remind her to take a look. The note stated he had a bomb and wanted $200,000 in cash. As it played out, Cooper didn’t blow up the plane. Instead, he jumped out of it and vanished in the night sky. No one knows if Cooper survived the plunge, making it even more puzzling.
The Tragedy of JonBenét Ramsey
There isn’t a case that gripped and confused the country more than what happened to JonBenét Ramsey. While there have been a few false confessions and accusations, no one knows who killed the young beauty queen in her Colorado home. Even when you know all the details about the case, you walk away more confused than you were before. Sadly, we’ll likely never find the answers to this disturbing case.
The Zodiac Killer
Despite whom many conspiracy theorists think is the perpetrator, the Zodiac killer remains unknown. While there are compelling cases for certain suspects, the book is still open. Based on their ways of taunting the police through complex ciphers, the interest in finding the true Zodiac killer continues to this day.
Fortunately, with advances in technology and forensics, there likely won’t be more notorious cold cases in the United States that future generations look back at from this period.
