Michigan State Police Launched Cold Case Website
The agency released an online portal to showcase unsolved homicides and request new public leads.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Law Enforcement
Michigan State Police have launched a new website to highlight unsolved cold cases, aiming to leverage public interest in true crime to generate leads. The portal currently features 11 cases out of approximately 200 open investigations across the state.
Why it matters
The initiative seeks to advance long-standing investigations by increasing public awareness and soliciting information. The launch coincides with National Cold Case Month, highlighting ongoing efforts to resolve decades-old disappearances.
The Michigan State Police website currently lists 11 cold cases out of 200 open files. Detectives consulted with victims' families before publishing details, while students assist in digitizing physical case records.
The players
Michigan State Police
This is the state-level law enforcement agency responsible for patrolling highways and assisting local departments with criminal investigations.
Ruth Postif
She was a 17-year-old who disappeared from her Dearborn home and was later found murdered.
Mary Alice Ellicott
She was last seen in Saline Township in 1981, and her death has been ruled a homicide.
The details
The state agency is working to digitize files previously kept in cabinets to make the investigations more accessible. Officials plan to add additional cases to the platform over time as the project progresses.
Timeline
October 18, 1973: Ruth Postif disappeared from her home.
October 11, 1981: Mary Alice Ellicott was last seen in Saline Township.
October 26, 1994: Unidentified remains were discovered near Alcona Dam.
September 2026: The month recognized as National Cold Case Month.
Legal Context
Michigan's new portal mirrors a growing trend of law enforcement agencies across the U.S. using dedicated websites to crowdsource leads on long-dormant cases. This digital approach follows years of traditional, paper-based investigation methods that have hindered the resolution of cold cases.
Residents can review the featured cold cases to determine if they possess historical information relevant to these investigations. Providing even minor details could assist detectives in identifying suspects and bringing closure to families.
The takeaway
Public involvement remains a critical component in clearing long-term criminal investigations. Community members are encouraged to visit the state's portal to see if they can provide any information on the listed cases.
Further reading
Learn more about local investigative efforts on the Law Enforcement page.
More information
View the active case list on the Michigan State Police cold case portal.
Source note: This article includes information reported by WDIV.
