The Human Impact on families

The human impact of unsolved crimes extends far beyond the legal and investigative realm. It deeply affects the victims, their families, and communities. For families of those affected, not knowing what happened to their loved ones. It can lead to emotional distress. Not knowing can also cause anxiety. It creates a sense of helplessness. The lingering question of “why” and “who” can haunt them for years, preventing closure and healing. In communities, unsolved crimes can foster an environment of fear. They can also create mistrust. This erodes the sense of safety and justice that is vital to social cohesion. The emotional toll is often compounded by the belief that the legal system has neglected to give answers. Individuals feel powerless and disconnected. The human cost of unsolved crimes is not only measured in lost lives. These scars persist on those still seeking justice and closure.

How Time Contributes to the Forgetting of Unsolved Crimes

Over time unsolved crimes fade from the public’s memory. As years pass evidence is lost, the public view/social media shifts to newer stories. The victim is slowly forgotten left in the dust like if nothing ever had happened. Without new evidence or leads, these cases are forgotten or given up on. Yet, even as time marches on, the wish for justice doesn’t vanish completely. For some, the fight to remember and reopen these cases continues. They are driven by the hope that even the most forgotten crime can one day be solved.

Money/Audience

The culture of crime has become more than grief, it’s become a way to gain attention and money. Victims do gain attention for a certain amount of time. Still, they are then forgotten. The murderers, nevertheless, gain everyone’s attention for the longest time. Some, for example, Jeffrey Dahmer, committed awful crimes and did the worst things a human can ever do. The public decided, “Whoa, this is the perfect opportunity for a new show/money.” They didn’t care about the victims. They cared about what they can create with this new story. Nowadays, stories of crimes have been normalized. Every day, something new is brought up. Reporters or producers find a way to use this for their financial advantage.

Hope