Houston Homicides: Solved or Stone Cold? We Did the Math (Kind Of)
Howdy, homicide history buffs! Buckle up for a bumpy ride through the weird and sometimes frustrating world of Houston's unsolved murders.
The Numbers Game: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow (Literally)
Now, statistics can be drier than a Texas summer, but here's the gist: Houston Police Department (HPD) boasts an impressive clearance rate – we're talking 82% of homicides getting solved in 2022 [that's a lot of detective high-fives!]. That's fantastic news! But hold on to your Stetsons, pardners, because that leaves a whopping 18% unsolved.
Let's do some back-of-the-napkin math (disclaimer: results may not be scientifically sound):
- Houston has roughly 450 murders a year (yikes!).
- That means around 81 murders go unsolved annually.
Basically, that's more unsolved mysteries than a Scooby Doo convention.
Cold Cases: When Justice Takes a Siesta
Now, some of these unsolved cases are brand new, while others have been chilling in the HPD Cold Case Unit longer than a disco ball at a retirement home. The unit even has a website with a "Featured Cases" section, which feels less like closure and more like a morbid dating profile for unsolved murders (single white male, last seen arguing over barbecue, missing ever since).
But hey, there's always hope! DNA technology is constantly evolving, and sometimes a tip years later can crack a case wide open. Plus, who doesn't love a good cold case docuseries binge-watch? Just sayin'.
So, Should You Be Worried?
Probably not. Houston's a big city, and the odds of you becoming an unsolved statistic are slim. But, if you're looking to up your true-crime trivia or impress your friends at your next rodeo, memorize a few HPD cold cases. You never know, you might be the one to crack the code and become a Houston legend (the good kind, not the "featured case" kind).
Just remember: Stay frosty, be vigilant, and maybe avoid any shady back alley barbecue deals.
