Iowa launches playing cards to aid cold case investigations

Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird has introduced a deck of playing cards featuring 52 unsolved cases, including homicides, missing persons, and unidentified remains, to be distributed to inmates in the state's nine correctional facilities. The initiative aims to spark conversations and memories among inmates that could generate new leads for more than 400 cold cases across Iowa. Bird emphasized that each card represents a life and a family still searching for answers, and hopes the cards will encourage those with information to come forward. Similar programs in other states, such as Connecticut, have led to multiple arrests and convictions. Families of victims expressed hope that the cards might finally bring closure by prompting someone to share a long-held secret or recognize a case. The cold case unit was launched in 2024 and has already made its first arrest, with officials considering expanding the deck in the future.