CLEAR LAKE – The Clear Lake Iowa Police Department reported they are happy to share the news and spread the word of a new investigative unit which was developed under the leadership Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird in 2024. In July the Iowa Attorney General’s Office (AG) received additional funding to add full-time, well-trained investigators to the new AG Cold Case Unit.
“We look forward to the expertise, dedication, and hard work these investigators will put forth, searching for clues leading to closure of cold cases for victim’s, families, and loved ones of Iowa’s unsolved cases,” police said in a statement.
Chief Mike Colby had this to say in support of the unit:
“I am glad to see that the State of Iowa will have a dedicated team with the sole goal of solving some of Iowa’s oldest and most challenging cases which have gone unsolved, many for decades. These cases are solvable only through the hard work and dedication that this team has committed to, and through the courage of those with information to come forward and share what could be key in solving a cold case. If this is you, or someone you know, I encourage you to come forward and contact the Iowa Attorney Generals Cold Case Unit by calling 800-245-5100 or emailing them at coldcase@ag.iowa.gov even if you wish to remain anonymous.”
State of Iowa Cold Case Initiative
Under the leadership and direction of Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, the past year and a half has been dedicated to the development and implementation of a plan to assist Iowa law enforcement and prosecutors in cold case investigations.
Effective July 1, 2024, the Iowa legislature approved a general fund appropriation to the Iowa Attorney General’s Office (AG) for the hiring of 3 additional cold case field investigators and 1 assistant attorney general prosecutor. These positions are intended to support law enforcement and county attorneys on cold cases they may have in their jurisdiction. The AG’s efforts are not to replace anyone or any agency, but to provide assistance, if requested.
The AG Cold Case Unit and areas of responsibility:
– Investigator Chris Callaway (retired Iowa DCI) – North Central and Northwest IA
– Investigator Chad Lovig (retired Ames PD) – Central, West and Southwest IA
– Investigator Jim McMillan (retired FBI) – Northeast, East and Southeast IA
– Investigator Steve Ponsetto (retired Iowa DCI) – Central, West and Southwest IA
– Assistant Attorney General Scott Brown – Statewide
As with any investigation, tips and other forms of information may play a significant role in solving or moving a case forward. The following tip lines have been created and are actively receiving information. These tips are vetted and then shared with the appropriate law enforcement agencies.
– 800.242.5100
– coldcase@ag.iowa.gov
What is a cold case?
– Any death case identified as a homicide, or missing person under suspicious circumstances, or any unidentified human remains, and when active leads have been exhausted as determined by the originating law enforcement agency.
AG Cold Case goals:
– Justice for victims,
– Answers for families
– Accountability for the perpetrator