What everyone gets wrong about missing persons cases…
A cold case doesn't mean that someone's quietly working on it. Unidentified murder victims don't get more resources, they often get fewer. And if your family member has been missing for decades, there's still something you can do.
This week we talked to former FBI agent Katherine Schweit, about what actually happens—and doesn't happen—when someone goes missing or is never identified. Her book, Women Who Talk to the Dead, tells the story of the investigators who refused to accept "cold case" as the end for 200 unidentified murder victims in Detroit.
She also told us a story that didn't make it into the book.
🎧 the full episode is out now and She Goes by Jane
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From personal experience and following numerous missing persons cases, I've realized that misconceptions about how these cases are handled can prevent families and advocates from taking effective action. For instance, a common myth is that filing a missing persons report guarantees active investigation indefinitely. However, in reality, cases often go cold quickly without signs of foul play or new leads, especially for adult missing persons assumed to be voluntarily absent. What also surprised me is how under-resourced unidentified murder victim cases usually are. Because the victim’s identity is unknown, investigators struggle to trace their last known whereabouts or possible suspects, which drastically hampers case progress. DNA testing and investigative genetic genealogy have emerged as powerful tools, but even with these technologies, identification is not immediate—it can take years and requires significant funding. If you have a loved one missing for years, don’t lose hope. Advocating for your family member by filing new reports, providing DNA samples, or sharing updated information can keep the case active. Cold cases don’t mean the end—they might just need persistent voices and fresh clues to reignite the search. Listening to stories from experts like Katherine Schweit and reading books like "Women Who Talk to the Dead" offers hope and deeper understanding. It highlights the dedication of investigators who restore names and stories to those once lost in the system. Sharing these realities helps break down myths and empowers families, communities, and listeners to contribute meaningfully to missing persons investigations.
