On Wednesday night, Cold Case Live will be at the Egg, hosted by retired Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) investigator Joe Kennedy. The show provides an in-depth exploration of homicide investigations and how cases can go cold, remaining open until new evidence emerges. Recent events, such as the discovery of human remains at Burden Pond in Troy and the ongoing disappearance of Jaliek Rainwalker, remind us that cold cases can quickly heat up.
During the show, Kennedy highlights both lesser-known and high-profile cases to demonstrate how law enforcement gathers clues, interviews witnesses, and identifies suspects. While he aims to entertain audiences, Kennedy has a larger purpose in mind.
“My goal is to solve cases,” he stated. “When I told the producers that, they laughed and asked, ‘Do you really think so?’ I replied, ‘Yeah, we will.’ I don’t think they considered that before.”
After retiring from NCIS in 2014, Kennedy co-founded the Carolinas Cold Case Coalition with fellow retired investigators. These volunteers share a commitment to solving cases and work as consultants, assisting law enforcement with cold case investigations.
Kennedy pointed out that there are approximately 340,000 unsolved murders in the United States. Statistically, police identify a suspect in only one out of every five murders, and charges are brought in just one out of 20. When it comes to cold cases, successful prosecutions occur in about one in 100 cases.
“There are three ways to solve a case: physical evidence, witnesses, and confessions,” Kennedy explained. “It seems so simple, but it isn’t.”
He believes true crime shows and cold case programs play a valuable role in this context.
“Police departments often lack the resources to tackle the backlog of unsolved murders,” he noted. Some departments welcome volunteers to help with tasks like photocopying and digitizing case files, which can make them more accessible to detectives. In the absence of a dedicated national effort, Kennedy thinks that everyday individuals—whether they are aware witnesses or simply intrigued viewers—can provide vital information or insights that may lead to breakthroughs.
“More and more, citizens are helping to solve cases,” he said. “You’d be surprised; just because someone is a detective doesn’t mean they’re smarter than a viewer. Someone might notice a detail or clue that others missed.”
In addition to Cold Case Live, Kennedy appears on the STARZ true crime series Wrong Man, discussing criminal investigations. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining ethical standards when dealing with cold cases.
“Entertainment channels can be effective for raising awareness, but there’s a fine line,” Kennedy warned. “We must protect the integrity of criminal investigations and ensure the safety of everyone involved. It’s crucial to treat the memory of victims and their families with care.”
“It’s my responsibility and the show’s to tell these stories correctly,” he added. “Many families have gone years—10, 20, or even 30—without knowing what happened to their loved ones. That takes a significant toll on their mental and emotional well-being. We have to treat people with respect.”
So far, Kennedy has hosted several Cold Case Live shows, where audience participation has been robust, with at least 50 questions per night. While some questions pertain to the cases he discusses, others relate to local incidents. He finds the inquiries and potential information about these local cold cases particularly compelling.
“Time often becomes an ally for cold cases, but it can also deteriorate relationships or change circumstances,” he remarked. “Someone might say, ‘Hey, I know about this case.’ I’ll reach out to local authorities after the show and say, ‘I had someone in the audience who was a kid when this murder happened and might have information.’”
These moments during and after the show inspire Kennedy’s continued involvement with Cold Case Live.
“The entertainment industry adds theatrics, but the more you scrutinize something, the clearer it becomes,” he said. “With more eyes and collaboration, we can solve more cases.”
