UNF collaborates to spotlight America’s cold case crisis

In collaboration with Project: Cold Case, Purdue University's Department of Entomology and Arizona State University, the University of North Florida will host the third annual Cold Case Symposium for families of unsolved homicide victims and missing persons on Tuesday, Oct. 22, and Wednesday, Oct. 23, at the Adam W. Herbert University Center.

The symposium strives to provide families with a platform to share their loved one's case in a safe environment concentrated on aligning resources and mobilizing support. This year's event offers a unique platform for victims' families to share their stories, connect with experts and receive much needed support.

The Cold Case Symposium's speakers include leading forensic experts, law enforcement professionals, journalists and advocates. Attendees will hear from local organizations such as the Jacksonville Survivors Foundation and First Coast Crime Stoppers, as well as:

• Allison Nunes, president and laboratory director for DNA Labs International
• Anne Marie Shubert, former district attorney for Sacramento County
• Beth Celestini, retired supervisory special agent with the United States Secret Service and law enforcement strategic partnership and engagement coordinator for Black and Missing Foundation, Inc.
• Charlene "Charlie" Shunick, president and found of Resource Association for Missing People
• Dennis Sullivan, a detective in the Cold Case Unit of the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office
• Jesse Goliath, founding director of Mississippi Repository for Missing and Unidentified Persons Project and consulting forensic anthropologist for Mississippi
• Katie Jeffries, anchor/reporter with First Coast News in Jacksonville
• Katie Wiggins, LMHC, cold case homicide survivor and founder of Healing Roots: Where Hope is Found
• Loren O'Keefe, founder and CEO of The Missed Foundation
• Nathalie Eckersley, case manager for the Long-Term Unit for the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children based in the Lake Park Florida Branch Office

The Cold Case Symposium is open to the public and can be attended in person or virtually. Complimentary registration is available for family members of cold case victims through a sponsorship program. For all ticket information and further registration details, visit Purdue University's Cold Case Symposium webpage.