Bill proposes creating cold case task force to help crack Iowa's toughest cases
DES MOINES, Iowa — Dozens of homicides and disappearances across eastern Iowa are unsolved, some dating back several decades.
Now, there's a bill at the state house aimed at helping investigators bring justice to victims.
"A lot of the law enforcement I’ve talked to around the state some of them will tell you that there are guys that will look through these on their own time right, they just don't have times, resources, etc.,” said State Rep. Skyler Wheeler, (R) Orange City.
Right now, most investigators work to solve Iowa’s cold cases when they're not working on active cases.
Rep. Wheeler is part of a group of lawmakers working to change that.
"I couldn't imagine if something happened to my daughter and I went 30 years having no clue, having no closure as to what actually took place. It's one of those issues of justice really, but also just trying to help these family and friends get closure on what is probably a really tough situation," said Rep. Wheeler
A bill is now eligible to be taken up in the house, which proposes creating a task force staffed with two full time investigators who would target unsolved murders and missing persons cases.
The bill calls for $309,180 in funding for fiscal year 2022 and $221,400 for fiscal year 2023.
That money includes salaries for both investigators, training and equipment they would require.
State Rep. Marti Anderson (D) Des Moines has more than two decades of experience in helping families who have been touched by violent crime in Iowa.
She said you can't put a price tag on the impact of justice.
"It will effect a person for the rest of their life because it's somebody they loved, it's somebody they cared about, it's somebody they looked towards more life with,” said rep. Anderson.
The task force has passed a house subcommittee with bipartisan support.
It is now eligible for debate in the house.
