The Albuquerque Police Department has relaunched the Duke City Case Files, a video series aimed at generating tips in unsolved homicides. The series, initially launched in 2021, led to the resolution of four out of seven cases that were featured.
The first case highlighted in the relaunch is the September 2021 homicide of 22-year-old Brittany Ramirez. Speaking about her daughter, Jessica Valdez Ramirez said, "She just loved to love, and her personality was very outgoing, and charismatic… she was everything a mom wanted her child to be." Jessica expressed the family's need for closure, stating, "Finally, we need some peace, and capture whoever did this because we need to close this chapter in our life."
Chief of Police Harold Medina emphasized the importance of providing support to families impacted by homicide, stating, "Families impacted by homicide are often left with many questions and a lack of closure as their case is being investigated, in the midst of grieving their loved one." He highlighted the department's dedication to giving a voice to the families through initiatives like the Victims Assistance Unit and the Duke City Case Files.
Commander Kyle Hartsock of the Criminal Investigations Division underscored the significance of the relaunched series, saying, "The return of this cold case series is a beacon of hope for the families of victims and a stark reminder that these cases are never closed." He encouraged the public to come forward with any information, as even the smallest detail could be crucial in solving a case.
Moving forward, a new case will be featured and released at the beginning of each month on the Albuquerque Police Department's social media platforms. The videos can be accessed on platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and X. Individuals with information on the cases featured are encouraged to report anonymously to the Albuquerque Metro Crime Stoppers at (505)-843-STOP or through p3tips.com/531.
