OREGON COLD CASE COLLECTIVE FOUNDATION (OC3)

HONORING THE PAST, SEEKING JUSTICE FOR THE FUTURE

A PERSONAL JOURNEY TO JUSTICE

Behind every cold case lies a story of loss, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of answers. My journey began with my birth dad’s disappearance in 1971. He was just a 16 year-old boy when he vanished, and no one heard from him or searched for him since, except me.

Black and white portrait of a young man with short dark hair, wearing a sweater with a patterned collar, looking directly at the camera.

Winston Arthur Maxey III

Dateline TikTok
Who in the World Murdered Winston Maxey? FB page

HOW YOU CAN HELP

A circular logo with a blue background and white text that reads "Cold Case Collection" and "Est. 2022." The center features a white fingerprint with a magnifying glass focusing on a section of it.
Oregon Cold Case Collective (OC3)

In 2016, I turned to social media, hoping to track down my birth dad. My efforts didn’t yield answers immediately, but everything changed in August 2021. An investigative genetic genealogist, CeCe Moore, contacted me with a lead: a John Doe found in Coos County, Oregon, in 1971 that could be my birth dad. The unimaginable happened after uploading my DNA into the system - it was a match. My dad’s body had been found on July 26, 1971, but he remained unidentified for 50 years.

A woman with long, curly blonde hair, blue eyes, and light skin, smiling at the camera against a dark background.
Dateline Article

The discovery, both heartbreaking and profound, solidified my commitment to helping other families find the answers they deserve. It’s why I started the Oregon Cold Case Collective Foundation, to shine a light on forgotten stories and bring justice to the ones who can no longer speak for themselves.

Every step forward in solving a cold case begins with someone who cares. Here’s how you can make a difference:

  • Explore the Collective: to learn about our work and how you can get involved.

  • Spread Awareness: Share stories, join discussions, and help amplify voices that deserve to be heard.

  • Donate: Your support funds the tools, resources, and investigations needed to bring justice to those who need it most.

Behind every unsolved case is a name, a story, and a family waiting for answers. The Oregon Cold Case Collective is here to ensure those stories are never forgotten. Thank you for joining us in honoring their lives and working toward justice.

Support Our Mission Online

If you’d like to support our mission and would like to send a check via snail mail, please address it to: Oregon Cold Case Collective P.O. Box 621 Klamath Falls, OR 97601