Cold case playing cards to be distributed in jails, prisons

BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX/Gray News) - A deck of cards featuring unsolved murder and missing person cases could be the key to solving them.

Mississippi Coast Crime Stoppers, in collaboration with Season of Justice, a nonprofit dedicated to supporting investigative agencies with DNA testing and advocating for cold cases, unveiled the newest effort to solve homicide and missing persons cases through a deck of cold case playing cards, the first set printed in the state.

The cards will be utilized by inmates in correctional facilities across the Mississippi coast.

“Every day we just go about our business,” Crime Stoppers CEO Lori Massey said. “These families wake up and think about their loved ones. For them not to have answers, it really hurts my heart. Just looking out into the audience, the people crying. If we can just solve one case, it’ll be worth it.”

The deck features 36 homicide cases and 20 missing person cases.

“I’m hoping this is a new community that we haven’t reached yet,” said Lacy Moran, a victim’s daughter. “Along the coast, everyone has heard dad’s name and I’m hoping there’s some people who still haven’t heard and this is going to solve something.”

Moran said it has been nearly five years since she lost her father.

“It’s something that I think about every day and I wonder about every day, and that’s what makes it absolutely so difficult,” she said.

Chyna Crowther, another victim’s sister, said that as a family, they can only do so much.

“So with the extra help with the cards, that’ll be a great idea to bring justice to our family,” she said.

Some of those families have waited more than a decade for justice and closure.

“I’m looking at the dates and I’m like, ‘Oh they’ve got a lot more time than I do,’” said Melissa Simolke, a victim’s mother.

LaGena Fantroy, another victim’s mother, said it has been 10 years without answers.

“It was November 2013, so for us to get the call, would explain the emotion of appreciation,” she said.

Each family of the people featured on the cards said they feel gratitude that the story of their loved ones is being shared through the cards.

Once the decks hit jail or prison floors, an inmate can anonymously report any information or tip to the authorities and be eligible to receive up to $2,500 in reward money.

In total, 2,500 decks will be distributed inside jails and prisons across the Mississippi coast.

The project cost around $7,000 and was funded by Season of Justice.

Other states including Nevada, Florida, Indiana, Minnesota, Connecticut and New York have distributed cold case playing card decks in correctional facilities.

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