Cold Case Playing Cards Used In Ripley Co. Jail

The two of diamonds cold case playing card features missing Madison, Indiana resident Daniel Reaves.

Indiana Department of Corrections

(Versailles, Ind.) - Shuffle up and deal Ripley County inmates. That next hand could help solve any of 52 Indiana cold cases.

The Ripley County Jail is participating in a program aimed at helping solve cold cases with playing cards. The jail is allowing inmates to use decks of cards featuring profiles on 52 unsolved homicides and missing persons cases.

The cards were started by the Indiana Department of Corrections in partnership with the Indiana State Police and the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Sheriff Tom Grills said the cards may jar inmate memories or provide a clue that, when combined with other information, might provide the break investigators need to solve a case.

“We have a considerable amount of inmate movement from all over the state, and helping out where we can is of most importance. Victims and their families need help from everyone, and we are happy to do our part. It only takes a small lead to break a major case," said Grills.

The cold case cards are currently in their third edition. Included in the deck is the case of Daniel Reaves, a Madison, Indiana 25-year-old who was last heard from on May 4, 2008, when he texted his girlfriend. Roughly one week after his disappearance his gold 1999 Chrysler Sebring was found abandoned on Green Hills Drive in Madison.

Copies of the playing cards can be seen on the Indiana Department of Corrections’ website, http://www.in.gov/idoc/2826.htm. Information on the cold cases can be relayed to the Indiana State Police Hotline, (800) 453-4756. 

Members of the public who would like to provide information on the victim of a cold case homicide or missing persons case, or who would like to have a case reviewed for inclusion in a future release of the deck, may contact the Indiana Department of Correction at coldcasetips@idoc.in.gov.