FLAGSTAFF, Ariz. — The Coconino County Attorney’s Office is pleased to announce the formation of a new Cold Case Unit, a collaborative effort with the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagstaff Police Department, and local police agencies. The Cold Case Unit at the Coconino County Attorney’s Office is composed of a veteran prosecutor, a paralegal, and a legal assistant. The Unit will focus on reviewing, analyzing, and prosecuting previously unsolved criminal cases, working closely with investigators and detectives at our local law enforcement agencies.
“We are determined to ensure that every case, regardless of how long ago it happened, deserves justice,” said Coconino County Attorney Ammon Barker. “Our Cold Case Unit reflects our unwavering commitment to work as a team with partners at the Coconino County Sheriff’s Office, the Flagstaff Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies to solve cases and bring violent criminals to justice. Our law enforcement partners at the Sheriff’s Office and Police Department are using modern forensic techniques to solve cold cases, and when that happens, it is time for my office to bring charges and prosecute the case in court. Through our collaborative efforts, we are confident that we can deliver justice for victims and their families who have sought accountability for so long.”
The Cold Case Unit is already reviewing cases for potential charges and working closely with detectives and investigators who are reexamining case files, utilizing advanced forensic tools, and pursuing new leads to uncover critical evidence. Through a proactive and team-oriented approach to cold cases, the County Attorney’s Office, the Sheriff’s Office, the Flagstaff Police Department, and other local law enforcement agencies can work together to bring closure to victims’ families and to the community at large.
The Coconino County Sheriff’s Office has operated its own Cold Case Unit since 2008, primarily staffed by volunteer investigators. The CCSO unit is staffed primarily with volunteer investigators. Some notable successful cases include identifying “Valentine Sally” in 2021, who was found by an AZ Department of Public Safety Trooper in 1982 just off Interstate 40 near Monte Carlo Road and identifying David Wilkinson, who was found murdered in a wooded area off Highway 180. Both cases remain under investigation as to who is responsible for the murders.
“The formation of the Cold Case Unit is an important step in ensuring that justice is not delayed or forgotten,” said Bret Axlund, Coconino County Sheriff. “We’re committed to leveraging our expertise and working together with the County Attorney’s Office to reexamine every piece of evidence and investigate every lead. This collaborative approach strengthens our ability to solve these cases.”
“We are deeply committed to seeking justice for those impacted by these unsolved crimes,” said Sean Connolly, Flagstaff Police Department Chief. “This Cold Case Unit brings together the right people, resources, and technology to reexamine the evidence and provide the families of victims the answers they deserve.”
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Pictured left to right: Vanessa Arcuri – Felony Paralegal Assistant, Maisie El-Ters – Felony Trial Paralegal, Jonathan Mosher – Chief Legal Counsel
