Playing Cards Used to Bring Attention to Cold Cases in Southern Mississippi
In an effort to bring attention to unsolved cases and missing persons, Southern Mississippi has taken a unique approach by creating playing cards featuring victims. Each card displays a photo and name of a victim, along with the date they died or went missing, and contact information for Crime Stoppers.
For example, the Ace of Diamonds showcases Rebecca Reid, a woman from Lumberton, Miss., who was last seen in 2020. The card provides details such as her age, height, and weight. The Ace of Spades features Kimberly Watts from Long Beach, Miss, with a brief description of her tragic death – she was strangled and stabbed in her home.
This initiative is not exclusive to Southern Mississippi. In Indiana, “cold case cards” are available for purchase in prison facilities, and in Minnesota, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension distributed similar cards to law enforcement agencies. Connecticut has also issued playing card decks featuring missing persons and unsolved homicides.
While some may question the effectiveness of these cards, others believe they can make a difference for victims’ families. According to Ms. Massey, even if just one case is solved, it would be worth it.
There have been success stories linked to the use of playing cards in solving cold cases. In Florida, decks of cold case playing cards distributed to inmates led to the resolution of two cases. However, not all organizations see the value in creating these cards, citing concerns about the allocation of funds.
Despite differing opinions, the use of playing cards to bring attention to cold cases continues to be a strategy employed by law enforcement agencies and nonprofits. As the founder of Project: Cold Case in Jacksonville, Fla., Ryan Backmann, notes, these cards can provide valuable resources to victims’ families in their quest for justice.
