The decision of the Royal Police Force of Antigua & Barbuda (RPFAB) to launch a cold case unit has sparked cautious optimism among many, but is it truly enough to make a dent in the dozens of unsolved disappearances and murders that have plagued Antigua over the years?

The newly proposed cold case team is tasked with reviewing past cases, following up on leads, and maintaining communication with families. But will this approach be any different from previous promises?

While Acting Commissioner of Police, Everton Jeffers has assured the public that the police are committed to resolving these cases, history suggests that limited resources, inconsistent follow-ups, and a lack of forensic advancements have hindered past investigations.  Jeffers himself acknowledged the limitations of the force during an emergency press conference on Thursday. “No, we do not have all the resources we need. We could use some other resources if they become available.”

This statement alone signals a major hurdle. Effective cold case investigations require advanced technology, forensic expertise, and access to databases that may not currently be available to local law enforcement.

Additionally, the hesitation to call in international reinforcements, such as the FBI, until the local force has something substantial to present, raises concerns about whether critical time is being wasted. “We want to make sure that we have things properly in place. So, when we call them, you know, we have something for them to work from.”

The recent disappearance and now murder of nine-year-old Chantel Crump has reignited public concern, highlighting the grim reality that too many families in Antigua have been left with unanswered questions.

“Let me start by saying that the police administration is seriously concerned about the number of missing persons reported that we have been receiving over such a short period of time. What is even more troubling is this recent incident involving a minor,” Jeffers said..

Over the past five years, multiple cases of missing persons have made headlines, yet few have been resolved. Names like Hyacinth Gage, Noah Hurst, and Vincia James, remain etched in the minds of many, with no clear answers as to what happened to them.

Even more disturbing is the number of cases where little to no follow-up was reported after the initial news broke. The discovery of a decomposed body in Swetes this week raises further questions—will it finally bring closure to a grieving family, or will it be yet another case lost in the system?

Police recovered a decomposed body in Swetes this week and the police say the X-ray has been done  to determine the identity of the body and a post mortem will be conducted shortly to determine if this may be one of many people reported missing over the past five months.

While the effort to establish a dedicated team is commendable, the true measure of its success will be in the results. Can this unit bring long-overdue justice to families who have spent years in anguish? Or will it be another well-intended initiative that ultimately fails to break the cycle of unresolved cases?

As the public awaits action, one thing remains clear—solving these cases will require more than just a new unit. It will demand genuine commitment, better investigative tools, and most importantly, a justice system that refuses to let these cases go cold.

And for those residents who have heard enough sad news, Jeffers shares this message: “We’re living in a small society  and someone must have seen or know something about what is going on. What we’re asking members of the public to do is whatever information, for you it might not be anything at all.”

Jeffers meanwhile says he wants to have more engagement with the media and has announced intentions to hold monthly press conferences. “We will tell you our successes and we will tell you where we need help and those crimes that we’re still investigating.”