10 Valentine Day Cold Cases Solved – Justice After Years

Valentine Day Cold Cases Solved: Valentine’s Day is a time for love, but for some families, it became a day of tragedy. These 10 cold cases haunted investigators for years—until advances in DNA technology, confessions, and relentless detective work finally provided answers.

10. Angela Perkins (1994)

In 1994, 23-year-old Angela Perkins was shot during a failed carjacking in Memphis. Her killer remained unknown until 2014 when a Texas inmate, Ngoc Baoco “Ice” Huynh, revealed that Phanhsay “Kapoo” Phanivong and Sathit “Tee” Ep were responsible. Phanivong, then 16, wanted money for a Valentine’s gift and shot Perkins when she resisted. He was sentenced to 15 years in 2018.

9. Terri McAdams (1985)

Terri McAdams, 22, was beaten, assaulted, and murdered in her Texas apartment on Valentine’s Day 1985. The case went cold until 2023, when FBI investigators used genetic genealogy to identify the killer—Bernard Sharp, a sex offender who died by suicide in 1985 after murdering his wife.

8. Eric Darnell Noel (2014)

Eric Noel, 29, was found shot in Port Arthur, Texas, on Valentine’s Day 2014. He died in the hospital without naming his killer. A decade later, Damond Lewis walked into a police station and confessed. He was arrested in June 2024.

7. Wanda Deann Kirkum (1991)

For 29 years, “Valentine Jane Doe” remained unidentified after being found strangled in Florida. In 2020, DNA testing revealed she was Wanda Kirkum, a runaway from New York. Her killer, Robert Lynn Bradley, had died in a 1992 Texas homicide.

6. Terry Dolowy (1985)

University student Terry Dolowy disappeared on Valentine’s Day 1985. Her burned body was found days later. Decades later, DNA linked the crime to Michael Popp, an acquaintance. He was arrested in 2024 and charged with murder.

5. Adrienne McColl (2002)

Adrienne McColl, 19, was strangled and beaten in Canada on Valentine’s Day 2002. Her ex-boyfriend, Stéphane Parent, fled but was arrested in 2018 after DNA advancements tied him to the crime. He was sentenced to life in prison.

4. Jodine Serrin (2007)

Jodine Serrin, 39, was found murdered in her California home on Valentine’s Day 2007. DNA phenotyping led police to David Mabrito, a transient who died by suicide in 2011. His DNA matched evidence from the crime scene.

3. Heyzel Obando (2016)

Heyzel Obando, 26, was shot in her Florida home on Valentine’s Day 2016. Her boyfriend, Tony Joiner, claimed innocence, but their daughter said, “Poppy shoted mommy.” In 2019, new evidence led to Joiner’s arrest. He was sentenced to 25 years.

2. Christopher Scott Case (2000)

A man’s remains were found in Colorado on Valentine’s Day 2000. For 22 years, he was “John Doe” until forensic genealogy identified him as Christopher Case, missing since 1998. His death remains unsolved.

1. Te’ore Terry (2021)

Te’ore Terry, 35, was shot and robbed in North Carolina on Valentine’s Day 2021. The case went cold until 2024, when Jacquane Fair was arrested for his murder.

Conclusion

These cases prove that justice can come years later, thanks to DNA technology and persistent investigators. While Valentine’s Day brings joy to many, for these families, it became a day of loss—and eventually, answers.

FAQs

1. How many Valentine’s Day cold cases were solved using DNA?

Several, including Terri McAdams, Wanda Kirkum, and Jodine Serrin, were solved through DNA and genetic genealogy.

2. Which case took the longest to solve?

Wanda Kirkum’s case remained unsolved for 29 years before DNA identified her and her killer.

3. Were any killers already dead when identified?

Yes, Bernard Sharp (Terri McAdams’ killer) and Robert Bradley (Wanda Kirkum’s killer) had already died.

4. Did any killers confess years later?

Damond Lewis confessed to Eric Noel’s murder a decade after the crime.

5. What role did TV shows play in solving cases?

Cold Justice helped solve Heyzel Obando’s murder by uncovering new evidence.