The biggest “enemy” of a cold case is time. It it affects memories, evidence and paper reports. But time also can bring breakthroughs by way of new technology that wasn’t available when someone was killed and murders went unsolved. In a continuing series, The Gazette will revisit some of those...
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Trish Mehaffey Nov. 26, 2023
''A case investigated by the sheriff’s office also will be highlighted from 1983; 24-year-old Ronald Lee Novak, of Center Point, was beaten with golf clubs and hammers and shot in the arm.
Novak’s frozen body was found in an unheated storeroom near his home’s back door on Christmas Eve. His hands were tied behind his back. The wind chill was reportedly around 30-below zero and Novak’s three golden retrievers were snuggled up next to him.
Choosing cases
Denlinger said investigators revisit a cold case when they receive a credible tip, or when a family member or friend of the victim checks in and perhaps provides a new thought about the unsolved murder.
“Some (family members) are like another investigator that may provide some detail that pushes you forward, just at a time you may be ready to give up,” Denlinger said. “Over the years, through trial and error, we’ve kind of developed a protocol for how we get started on new cases.”
''Investigator Matt Denlinger speaks with retired Cedar Rapids police Lt. Kenneth Washburn in Denlinger’s office at the Cedar Rapids Police Station Nov. 21. Denlinger, Washburn and retired Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent J.D. Smith make up the Cold Case Unit and focus on working those cases every Thursday. (Nick Rohlman/The Gazette)
Denlinger, who along with retired Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation special agent J.D. Smith and retired Cedar Rapids police Lt. Ken Washburn, make up the Cold Case Unit and focus on working those cases every Thursday.''
