Unresolved criminal activities attract a dedicated following among true crime enthusiasts due to the knowledge they offer about our society’s structures and norms. Simultaneously, they tap into our concerns and beliefs. Each of the crimes featured on today’s compilation remains unsolved, with the culprits skillfully evading detection and often disappearing without a trace, leaving no clues behind.
The characteristics of these unresolved cases can be described as deeply disturbing, gru*some, and violent, while others defy explanation with their extraordinary peculiarity. Whether it is the hor*ifying ki*lings attributed to the infamous Jack the Ripper or the heart-wrenching disappearance of Madeleine McCann, these instances have captivated our collective fascination and continue to do so as new developments in their investigations occasionally seize the headlines.
Step into the enigmatic world of 20 Unexplained Crimes that Remain Unsolved. These narratives recount genuine criminal incidents that remain shrouded in mystery, and the subject matter may cause distress to certain individuals.
20) The Monster of Florence
During the 1970s and 1980s, Florence, Italy was plagued by a series of murders that left the authorities perplexed. It is believed that a serial k*ller, responsible for the deaths of at least 16 individuals, was roaming the city streets. The victims were predominantly lovers, subjected to br*tal knife wounds or sh*t with a Beretta pist*l. Shockingly, six couples were ex*cuted in their own cars, with many of the k*llings taking place either during or after intimate moments between the partners.
The depravity of the k*ller escalated further, as the unfortunate victims often had their gen*tals mutilated. In a particularly chilling instance, a letter accompanied by the bre*st of Nadine Mauriot, one of the last known casualties, was sent to the state prosecutor, further taunting the authorities.
Attempts were made to bring the perpetrator to justice, leading to the arrest of five men implicated in the case. Astonishingly, one of them even confessed to being the notorious ki*ler. However, while these individuals were incarcerated, another m*rder occurred, casting doubt on their guilt. As of now, despite extensive efforts, the investigation remains unresolved, leaving the citizens of Florence haunted by the unsolved crimes that once plagued their city.
19) Elisa Lam
Elisa Lam, a 21-year-old student, went missing in 2013 while she was staying at the Cecil Hotel in Los Angeles. Concerns arose when guests reported the water in the hotel having a strange color and taste. Later, her body was found in the hotel’s water tank. The last known footage of Elisa captured by the hotel’s CCTV is quite disturbing as it shows her displaying odd behavior, engaging in an off-camera argument, and nervously checking behind her, possibly for any pursuers.
Despite the eventual accidental ruling for her cause of death, some puzzling elements surrounded the discovery. Elisa was found unclothed, with her personal belongings floating nearby. Additionally, it remains a mystery as to how she managed to access the water tank and replace the heavy 120-pound lid on top of herself.
18) Kris Kremers and Lisanne Froon
In 2014, two Dutch students, Lisanne Froon and Kris Kremers, went on a planned hiking expedition in Boquete, Panama, resulting in their unexplained disappearance. The duo had meticulously prepared for this adventure over a span of six months and had been exploring the dense jungle for several weeks when they vanished without a trace. Shockingly, their bodies were discovered more than two months later in a mysterious and unsettling manner.
During the investigation, it was revealed that Kris’ phone had made 77 unsuccessful attempts to contact emergency services. Additionally, the phone contained peculiar images, adding to the enigma surrounding their disappearance. Even more disturbingly, some of their bones appeared to have been bleached, further perplexing the authorities.
Various theories have emerged regarding what might have transpired, including the possibility of the women falling victim to v*olence related to drug cartels operating in the region. These speculations are fueled by the fact that more than 50 women and girls have been reported missing in the specific area of Panama where they went missing. However, the true circumstances surrounding their tragic fate remain a subject of debate and uncertainty.
17) Little Jane Doe
In St. Louis on February 28, 1983, authorities made a disturbing discovery in an abandoned building: the lifeless body of a female, d*capitated. Initially mistaken for a s*x worker due to her lack of clothing, investigators soon determined that the victim was actually much younger than expected, between the ages of 8 and 11.
The FBI confirmed that this was the only instance of a person this young being d*capitated at that time in the United States. Tragically, decades later, the identity of the victim remains a mystery, and no arrests have been made. To this day, she is simply known as “Little Jane Doe” in the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s database.
16) Nicole Morin
In the 1980s and early 1990s, there were a series of baffling cases in Toronto where numerous young girls went missing. Despite extensive efforts by the police and heartfelt pleas from the community, their hopes were shattered each time as the girls’ lifeless bodies were eventually discovered.
One such case involved Nicole Louise Morin, who disappeared on July 30, 1985. Nicole had left her apartment at West Mall with the intention of meeting her best friend in the lobby, planning to spend the afternoon swimming together. However, something inexplicable occurred during her short journey from the apartment to the lobby, and Nicole seemed to vanish into thin air.
This event sparked one of the largest and most exhaustive investigations ever conducted by the Toronto police, yet for the past 35 years, no significant leads or clues have emerged regarding the whereabouts of this missing 8-year-old girl.
15) The Ocean Snuff Film
The news in 2014 was dominated by a disturbing incident involving a 10-minute slow-motion video captured on a mobile camera. This video depicted the horrifying scene of a group of defenseless men being systematically attacked and k*lled by a semi-automatic weapon, with one of the assailants shamelessly taking celebratory selfies afterwards.
This incident shed light on the challenges faced when it comes to prosecuting crimes that occur in international waters. The footage revealed the presence of at least four ships in the vicinity, but none of them were legally obligated to report the k*llings, and consequently, no one did. The absence of a strong law enforcement presence and the complex issue of jurisdiction on the open ocean posed significant obstacles.
The identities of the victims and the motive behind their senseless k*llings remain a mystery, highlighting the lack of clarity surrounding this horrific event.
14) Tara Calico
On September 20, 1988, in Belen, New Mexico, Tara Calico borrowed her mother’s pink bike for a ride. However, she never returned. It took a whole year for any leads to emerge when a picture of a young woman, matching Tara’s age, and a boy appeared outside a Junior Food Store in Florida. The image showed both individuals gagged and appeared to be in the back of a vehicle, accompanied by a book from Tara’s beloved author, V.C. Andrews.
Tragically, in April 1988, a boy named Michael Henley also vanished under mysterious circumstances in the same vicinity as Tara. Eventually, Michael’s lifeless body was discovered in the Zuni Mountains in 1990. Tara’s parents, left in anguish, passed away without ever uncovering the identity of the person who had abducted their daughter.
13 Rebecca Coriam
Since the 1980s, the cruise ship industry has experienced a consistent rise in popularity and revenue. However, beneath the surface of this seemingly idyllic world of relaxation and opulence lies a sinister reality. In the past two decades alone, there have been 313 reported cases of individuals going missing from cruise ships, with a meager 10% of these incidents resolved.
Among these cases is the perplexing disappearance of Rebecca Coriam, a young crew member from Britain who vanished without a trace on March 22, 2011, while working aboard the Disney Wonder Cruise Ship. A prevailing belief among many is that she fell victim to s*xual assault, m*rder, and subsequent disposal at sea, with allegations that the ship’s crew and management engaged in a cover-up to safeguard their reputation from any negative publicity.
12) Kyron Horman
Kyron’s stepmother, Terri Horman, brought him to Skyline Elementary School on June 4, 2010. After leaving the school at approximately 8:45 a.m., Terri claimed to have seen Kyron heading to his first class. However, after that morning and a photo taken by Terri in front of the school, Kyron was never seen again.
Terri provided the police with statements indicating that she ran several errands before going to the gym on that day. Despite vehemently denying any involvement in Kyron’s disappearance, she has always been the primary suspect, and many believe she possesses knowledge regarding his whereabouts or the events that led to his disappearance. The investigation into this criminal case remains ongoing.
11) The Severed Feet
A total of 21 human feet have unexpectedly appeared on the coastlines of the Salish Sea in the Pacific Northwest. Back in 2017, the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that one of these feet belonged to Antonio Neill, who had been reported missing at the age of 22 in 2016. This incident marked the 15th time a human foot had washed ashore within a ten-year span. The origin of these feet has led to various theories, with some suggesting they belong to victims of an unidentified serial k*ller, while others propose they are linked to human trafficking.
Although most of the severed feet have been identified, the reason behind their appearance in this specific shoreline remains mostly speculative. It is worth noting that the majority of the feet belong to men, and in several instances, these men had vanished a few years prior to the foot’s discovery.
10) Walter Collins
The 2008 film Changeling directed by Clint Eastwood brought renewed attention to an extraordinary and heartbreaking crime story from the 1920s. Christine Collins, a single mother residing in Los Angeles, reported the disappearance of her nine-year-old son, Walter, from their home in March 1928. Disturbingly, months later, the police returned a child to Christine, claiming he was Walter, even though he was someone else entirely. Despite Christine’s protests, the LAPD dismissed her objections, accusing her of neglectful parenting and forcibly placing her in a mental institution.
The fate of Walter Collins remains a mystery, as his body was never found, and the truth behind his abduction remains elusive. The baffling question remains: why were the police so determined to conceal the k*dnapping of the boy that they deceitfully presented a different child to Christine? The motive and the true events behind this twisted case continue to elude us.
9) The Chicago Str*ngler
Despite the shocking number of victims and the ongoing spree of horrific crimes spanning over two decades, the Chicago Str*ngler remains disturbingly obscure as a serial k*ller. Since 2001, a trail of strangled women has been uncovered in different locations across Chicago, including alleyways, parking lots, and deserted structures. The body count currently stands at a chilling minimum of 51 women. The victims, predominantly African-American s*x workers, make up the largest portion.
One particularly appalling event occurred in 2007, when the Str*ngler mercilessly took the lives of two women within a single day.
8) Mr. Cruel
Between 1987 and 1990, Melbourne, Australia was plagued by a cruel child r*pist who targeted vulnerable families. This individual specifically targeted girls between the ages of 10 and 13, breaking into their homes, restraining their loved ones, and k*dnapping them while wearing a horrifying balaclava. These young girls faced unimaginable horrors before eventually being released. The horrifying pattern continued in 1991, when the body of a fourth victim was tragically discovered.
Remarkably, the perpetrator known as Mr. Cruel meticulously covered his tracks, leaving behind no trace of evidence at the scenes of his crimes. This was a time when forensic science was still in its early stages of refinement and development. To further terrorize the families, Mr. Cruel employed the use of a knife and a gun, and disturbingly, captured his horrific acts on camera or camcorder.
Despite the tireless efforts of multiple task forces, the identity of Mr. Cruel remains a mystery, as the investigation has so far failed to uncover his true identity.
7) The Hinterkaifeck M*rders
The infamous Hinterkaifeck m*rders took place in Germany in 1922, where an entire family of six residing on a farm met a tragic end. Each member fell victim to br*tal head trauma inflicted by a mattock, a farming tool resembling a pickaxe. The perpetrator callously arranged the bodies, placing them atop one another, hidden beneath hay within the barn. Shockingly, the maid and a two-year-old baby experienced the same gruesome fate, but their remains were discovered within the confines of the house.
Upon the grim discovery, it became apparent that an unidentified individual had occupied the farmhouse for multiple days following the heinous m*rders, evoking a sinister ambiance. Despite conducting extensive investigations, including over a hundred interviews involving traveling salesmen and nearby dwellers, no one could be held accountable for these horrific crimes.
6) JonBenét Ramsey
JonBenét Ramsey, a child beauty queen of six years old, was tragically k*lled in her home in Boulder, Colorado, in 1996. The horrifying incident involved her being struck on the head, s*xually assaulted, and str*ngled. Initially, the prime suspicion was cast upon her brother or parents; however, DNA evidence in 2008 officially cleared them of any involvement.
In December 2003, blood found on JonBenét Ramsey’s clothing yielded crucial DNA that allowed the creation of a profile for her assailant. This profile was entered into CODIS, the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System, to maintain a record. Regrettably, no matches have been found thus far. Following JonBenét’s m*rder, law enforcement has diligently pursued over 21,000 tips, letters, and emails. They have also traveled to 19 states to question or engage with more than 1,000 individuals. Despite these extensive efforts, her m*rder continues to baffle investigators, leaving this case shrouded in mystery.
5) The Zodiac K*ller
During the period spanning from the 1960s to the 1970s, the Zodiac K*ller was associated with five h*micides and two attempts to m*rder. However, this enigmatic criminal professed responsibility for no less than 37 victims, consistently sending encrypted letters to newspapers detailing the methods used to k*ll. The continuous pursuit of justice surrounding this case has inspired several movies, including notable titles such as “Zodiac” and “Dirty Harry.”
Recently, a self-formed team of private detectives, known as The Case Breakers, claimed to have unraveled the identity of the Zodiac K*ller in 2021. Nevertheless, the San Francisco Police Department has clarified that their official investigation remains ongoing.
4) The Women of Ciudad Juaréz
In the city of Juarez, Mexico, a horrifying pattern has emerged – young women are being br*tally r*ped and k*lled, their bodies left abandoned in the desert to decay. This disturbing trend dates back to 1993, with countless young women, particularly teenagers who sought employment in the local factories known as “maquiladoras,” having mysteriously disappeared.
The official records acknowledge a death toll of 260 women since 1993, but local women’s groups strongly believe the true number to be closer to 400. Alarming evidence reveals that at least 76 victims have fallen prey to the same unidentified culprit. These innocent women were subjected to a chilling cycle of being bound, r*ped, and gruesomely m*tilated.
It is evident that the k*llers possess a particular preference, as all the victims shared common features – slenderness, long brown hair, and brown eyes. Furthermore, a haunting pattern emerges, as the majority of these women were viciously attacked while on their way home from work, highlighting the vulnerability they faced during their regular commutes.
3) Jack The Ripper
A name forever etched in the annals of unsolved crimes, Jack the Ripper evokes chilling memories of his reign of terror in the impoverished Whitechapel district of London in 1888. Targeting female pr*stitutes, this notorious figure terrorized the streets, leaving a trail of br*tally m*rdered and m*tilated victims in his wake. The signature of his crimes often involved sl*tting their throats, with further acts of extreme v*olence inflicted upon their bodies.
The nature of Jack the Ripper’s deeds led many to speculate that he possessed some form of knowledge in anatomy, perhaps as a skilled butcher or even a doctor, as specific organs were deliberately removed from his victims. Countless theories have emerged throughout the years, attempting to unveil the identity of this elusive k*ller, yet none have managed to provide conclusive evidence beyond reasonable doubt. Sadly, with the passage of time, the prospects of uncovering the truth behind Jack the Ripper’s true identity dwindle, leaving this haunting chapter in history as one that may never find closure.
2) DB Cooper
In the annals of the FBI’s unresolved cases, the enigma of the mysterious hijacker known as Dan Cooper stands out as one of the most baffling. It all began on that fateful afternoon of November 24, 1971, when an unassuming figure named Dan Cooper seized control of Northwest Airlines Flight 305. Mid-flight, Cooper asserted the presence of a bomb, compelling the crew to comply with his demands for a staggering $200,000 ransom and four parachutes upon landing in Seattle.
Once the aircraft touched down, an exchange took place, with the passengers exchanged for the ransom money and parachutes. Shortly after 8:00 p.m., as the plane soared somewhere between Seattle and Reno, Cooper fearlessly leaped into the obscurity of the night, carrying both the parachute and the ill-gotten gains. Despite the discovery of a portion of the money in 1980, its recovery yielded no breakthroughs regarding the elusive hijacker’s identity or whereabouts, leaving the case shrouded in perpetual mystery and frustration.
1) The Black Dahlia
In 1947, the shocking m*rder of Elizabeth Short at the age of 22 gained widespread attention, earning her the nickname “Black Dahlia” due to her striking dark hair and preference for black clothing. Her lifeless body, drained of blood, was callously discarded in an unoccupied area of a residential neighborhood in Los Angeles. Official records from the FBI revealed that her body had been meticulously dissected, even to the extent of one of her br*asts being removed.
Numerous individuals have come forward over the years, claiming responsibility for this notorious crime. However, these claims have largely been dismissed as the ravings of individuals seeking notoriety through their association with the case. Regrettably, the truth behind Elizabeth Short’s m*rder remains a mystery, unsolved to this day.