Strategizing Through Hell: Family Members Facing Cold Case Homicides

Omega (Westport). 2026 Mar 17:302228261430456. doi: 10.1177/00302228261430456. Online ahead of print.

ABSTRACT

This qualitative study explores the experiences and coping strategies of 13 family adult members (spouses, parents, children, and siblings), co-victims of cold case homicides, facing bereavement following traumatic grief. The study utilizes in-depth semi-structured interviews to gather data, which were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. Four main strategies emerge: (1) commemoration of the deceased, (2) maintaining emotional bonds, (3) disengagement from prior identity, and (4) detachment from grief through avoidance or obsessive preoccupation. A novel category “grief evolvers” was identified, describing individuals who use positive adaptive coping mechanisms that challenge existing assumptions about dealing with grief. The findings highlight the long-term psychological impact of cold case homicides and the limitations of conventional grief frameworks in such cases. Implications for trauma-informed mental health interventions and victim support policy are discussed.

PMID:41843760 | DOI:10.1177/00302228261430456