20 Major Crimes Solved By Normal People

These cold cases got red hot in the hands of armchair detectives. For this list, we’ll be looking at the most puzzling criminal cases that were pieced together either in part or completely as a result of exceptional investigative work by regular citizens. Our countdown includes Victim’s Friend Cracks a Cold Case, Margaret Davis Solves Her Son’s Murder, Yaakov German Tracks Down a Kidnapper & Killer, Celia Blay Catches an Internet Predator, and more! Have you ever solved a crime? Let us know in the comments.
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#Crime
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#InternetDetective
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#TrueCrime

[@WatchMojo]

Which of these crimes intrigued you the most? Let us know in the comments. For more True Crime, check out our playlist: kzbin.info/www/bejne/q6Kli4yeitehn7c Have you ever solved a crime? Let us know in the comments.

[@phyllishamilton165]

I love your channel, but can you PLEASE change your background music so that it's not just the same notes played over and over again! It literally is so distracting and frustrating that I can't watch your channel as much as I would like to! This is a quick and easy fix -- please make this change -- thank you in advance!

[@brinnytay07]

The Wysocki one because that’s my last name but I don’t know her lol

[@brianandrews7491]

Michelle McNamara didn't solve anything, just like she didn't accidentally overdose. She killed herself clear as day and then years later gsk was caught with genealogy.

[@NiqueSmith]

I'm agreed with people solving their own crimes. It could get an excellent idea 💡 for CrimeMojo!!!

[@kristen2570]

I still think having a channel called CrimeMojo would be absolutely amazing!!! Thank you WatchMojo for always bringing in amazing true crime to KZbin ❤

[@JackOfAllRAIDs]

Unfortunately, some of the videos that they show on this channel contain wrong information or possible click bait.

[@hydrangeas_lover]

​@@JackOfAllRAIDscorrect. That's the glitch. They don't always do their due diligence

[@marthagilbert3459]

That would be great!

[@TallSilhouette]

That confrontation between the mother and her son's killer is pretty remarkable. I doubt many victims ever get that kind of opportunity.

[@andrewleah1983]

You doubt many murder victims get the opportunity to face their killer? If they do it’s a news story!

[@KingOfGaymes]

@@andrewleah1983 the MOTHER of the victim, can you read bruh

[@andrewleah1983]

@@KingOfGaymes I can also read the part where he says “many victims ever get that kind of opportunity”. No murder victim gets to confront their killer. Don’t try be a smart arse. Mong.

[@overdrive7349]

​@@andrewleah1983victims of a MURDERED person.

[@andrewleah1983]

@@overdrive7349 Read, if you can, the fucking post.

[@queenkaterose]

Love the 12 year old who bested the police 😂

[@simonad3201]

Sad part is the evidences she first noticed were so obvious, meaning the cops simply didn’t give a fig about the case and didn’t actually investigate anything 😏

[@CloneCommanderQutibahAlFarouqi]

Them are Sherlock Holmes!

[@ethanbakerthealienking]

True but she was stupid to Approach her Robber!

[@ghostdragon5735]

@@ethanbakerthealienking you assume she went alone

[@ethanbakerthealienking]

@@ghostdragon5735 oh no I figured she took her father but still They could've been killed BEVER TRUST A CRIMINAL!

[@str8ballinonyou]

This was a fascinating list especially the lady that solved 8 cases and the 12 year that solved her grandma's robbery.

[@ingGS]

A sad thing in Grateful Doe’s case is that his mother never reported him missing because she assumed someone on his father’s side had done so. She also posted on the same Facebook group where he was identified and was thankful for it.

[@yin-sin]

He also didn’t have a permanent address and so she also didn’t know which town to report.

[@ingGS]

@@yin-sin Yeah she called him “a free spirit”. I am not judging his mother, many of these Does are the result of their circumstances and life choices.

[@yin-sin]

@@ingGS all she wanted to know was what happened to her son A bittersweet ending for her

[@cassie1264]

He was an adult and a "free spirit." I can't judge her too much for not reporting him. It wasn't unusual for her to not hear from him for a while.

[@4hrielle]

@@ingGSmost 19 yos are free spirited lmfao

[@jennadeagle]

I feel so bad for Michelle McNamara! I remember hearing about her because of her husband, actor Patton Oswalt! But very cool she solved the crime of the Golden State Killer! May her memory live on 🙏

[@BigFella117]

Hearing these kind of stories makes me want to join a Facebook group about cold cases and try to solve them with the other group members

[@misseselise3864]

fuck it, do it

[@randomgirl01300]

Do it. At worst you're entertained a couple of days. At best, you solve a crime and give peace to families.

[@BigFella117]

@@randomgirl01300 that sounds like it would be a cool experience

[@jessvachon1043]

When I saw this list I was so interested because these kinds of things fascinate me. Don't f with cats especially as I was a teenager when they found Jun Lin in my city. Everyone was in shock,and it soon turned into the whole country in shock when it was found that some of his remains had been sent to our parliament,and political leaders. It was truly the talk of the town until Luca was caught and long after. Seeing the documentary and finding out just what those amazing people were doing while the police in two different cities (including mine) ignored them is incredible. Especially since the documentary and their testimony confirms that Jun Lin would've most likely still been here today had the Toronto police taken them seriously before he even came to Montreal.

[@ericjanssen394]

Yes, thought Don’t F With Cats would be on the list as a riveting look at the new “Facebook detective procedural”, that I didn’t even realize was a Thing until the Jun Lin case. And the killer idolizing “Catch Me If You Can” as a gay role model, and hoping to elude capture, is starting to flash back now with some big red flags about George Santos, and how we never notice the warning signs….

[@marcellemccalla6325]

I was saying the same, I remember when it happened and how security was tightened with Canada post and at all the government offices. Until I saw the documentary I had no idea about all the crimes beforehand and how preventable this was. I was so angry at the willful ignorance of all the officers and law enforcement agencies involved.

[@tokugeeky2931]

Incredible, as a fan of a detective cant help but be at awe by what these great folks accomplished.

[@manuelacosta9463]

The karmic irony, the hit and run driver is himself killed by a hit and run driver.

[@KimBlaQue]

Some Beyond Belief type ish

[@ztyphoon8982]

Car-ma… I’ll see myself out.

[@TheInvisibleShadow95]

If im not mistaken, i think he was killed while closing a gate to save children playing on a baseball field or something. A strangely circular ending

[@KimBlaQue]

@@ztyphoon8982 I'm ashamed to say I just got this joke.

[@johnnycashsstand-in8945]

He died saving children from the car

[@graythepokemonartist6427]

I respect the 12 year old who cracked the furniture caper

[@BrokeredHeart]

I knew Jun Lin's murder would be number 1. Not only was it horrific, but the way those sleuths were able to trace his murderer's movements and pin point his locations was a combination of awe inspired dedication, and unnerving accuracy. I just rewatched the Netflix doc "Don't Fuck With Cats" again, and the sheer will of the online community delivered the Montreal prosecutors a fairly detailed case to put the bastard away for life. Even after he was caught, he lied about committing the murder alone, saying he was being forced to do it by some man he was being paid as an escort for. There was no "Manny" directing him to torture and kill animals, or to kill and dismember an innocent man like Jun Lin. It was premeditated and orchestrated entirely by one deranged, egomaniacal man. I would caution anyone tempted to watch the docu-series that it's deeply disturbing and upsetting, but at least there's a resolution.

[@awill3454]

If you’ve ever watched “Don’t Fuck with Cats”, those sleuths didn’t do shit

[@Crow_Smith]

Sadly they BARELY helped. Their only help was bringing better attention to the entire topic - but they caused the Police and Officials so many problems that they almost stopped him from being caught and current evidence suggests he was likely going to be caught sooner had they not wasted time with false accusations - some of which were done out of spite for the accused rather than to actually help.

[@richeybaumann1755]

Here in Oregon we have Kyron Horman's disapperance. Everyone knows that his stepmother was involved somehow, but police failed to investigate her in time and now there's no conclusive proof. One of these days, I hope someone will solve that case like they solved these ones.

[@justineharper3346]

I hope that little girl who bested the cops became a detective.

[@HeatherJSN]

I solved the crime who was stealing my yogurt. It was my husband. He was sentenced to 1 week of dishes.

[@gabrielnunez2427]

Weak he got off easy

[@kriscynical]

Well... to be fair, yogurt theft _is_ a misdemeanor. Now if it had been leftovers grand theft takeout? That's another story. ​@@gabrielnunez2427

[@KingOfGaymes]

It’s so upsetting that those cat lovers warned the police about the guy who killed Jun Li long before it happened, if the cops listened and did something sooner then Jun Li would probably still be around.. But no they just ignored the warnings of this obvious monster..

[@marthagilbert3459]

Anybody can solve a crime, you just have to be both smart and creative about it, also have lots of true determination and passion about it.

[@witheredjr2887]

A 12 year old girl solved a case is I bit humiliating to the police

[@Gor85]

This is great! Well done to all of them! Fantastic! I love cop shows,detective shows,investigations. Well done for them!

[@samanthaengstrom8811]

Marty Tankleff was also wrongly convicted of murder but is now paying it forward and helping others wrongfully convicted.

[@Missingonesmatter]

Came here to say that! 🤗

[@203rahman]

Imagine staying thousands of kilomètres away and still being successful in catching a psychopath over the Internet. Celia Blake is truly a badass.

[@nintendorakyamato1859]

I once solved one crime. A guy from the dark side site Deviantart made some inappropriate actions until the end of 2017. Got arrested and his Deviantart ID and profile were then terminated and never returned

[@malcontent7]

19:32 Fun but tragic fact about McNamara; She was married to actor comedian Patton Oswalt. He talks about her passing in one of his specials.

[@malcontent7]

@wynn1587 He did move fast, I don’t deny that, but if you watch the special I mentioned, you can really see the pain it caused him and their daughter.

[@taylorclark855]

I'm sitting here watching and all the sudden I hear the name of the town I've lived in most my life, Fulton NY. I have never heard of Carolee Ashby, that's crazy. Sad she and her family never got justice 😢

[@LolaMoon05]

My dad grew up in Fulton and was only a year older than Carolee. I'll have to ask him and my grandparents if they remember this case.

[@ilsekorver412]

don't f**** with cats is the best true crime serie on netflix.

[@Vagabond_Etranger]

A few years ago, a gaming nerd solved a crime using the internet. Meanwhile, I see cops just sitting on the side of the road, day after day, week after week, month after month, trying to line their pockets by giving out speeding tickets.

[@WiLDCHiLD.]

Traffic cops don't investigate crimes like murder, though. That's like saying a dentist can operate on your brain just because they went to medical school. But I agree that investigators can be lazy, incompetent, and/or just racist. #16 is an example of that.

[@user-hu8fn2jp5v]

Look at this dumb ass comment. Normal Cops don't solve crimes idiot, detectives do and most departments only have a handful of them and a mountain of cases.

[@christineparis5607]

I hear you! I know we need all different officers, but it is frustrating!

[@jamielehman4934]

Larry Groves, from Indiana was also an antique dealer who was murdered in his home in Indiana in 2003. 🤔

[@thatgirl3232]

I knew Luka would be #1. That documentary was crazy!

[@Victoriaistalented]

Right!!

[@emzybenzey]

I think they should put cold cases online with all the evidence and see if the public can help

[@misseselise3864]

they do…

[@emzybenzey]

@@misseselise3864 where is this? I can only find the fictional cases for people to solve 🤣

[@itachilove15]

I needed the one about Jun Lin to be number 1 and I’m glad it was. I had watched the documentary series when it first came out and it grasped my attention. It is one of my favorite cases. Because of how it was solved.

[@purplexninjamom]

the fact that the young woman who solved the robbery is literally named "Miss Maple" just missing an r there, eh?

[@feelinherself7334]

I don't understand how someone can go on not being identified especially when sketches and photos are put out about them. Don't their families/friends say "hey, it's been a while since I've seen or heard from X , let me look into that" ? Not even reported missing or anything.

[@AMGBVG1369]

I wonder if everyone had a power to solve every crime in the world

[@christineparis5607]

YES! That's why Agatha Christie's novels were so beloved! She used the most under the radar, average persons to solve "unsolvable" crimes.

[@mojo3318]

I feel bad for all the innocent victims! Shame on the kidnappers and killers! What happened to these victims were scary! It's great how there are normal people solving cold cases. It's surprising how a little kid solved one! I'm familiar with the 72-year old. I learned about that guy from other videos. God bless the innocent victims!🙏 The animals, too. I liked the lady's bangs in the thumbnail!

[@redmondpeters6221]

Miss Maple? She should have a series of books named after her.

[@ladyi7609]

I participated in the same online forum that solved Paulette Jasper's case, and even monitored that particular thread, though I didn't add any useful contributions to the thread. But I absolutely remember the one or two posters who were the most active in that discussion and who solved the case.

[@uudreyyy6435]

and this is why community is so important!! love thy neighbor yall and protect each other 🫶🏼

[@miketobias1821]

I didn't think you could pawn furniture. Crazy she figured it all out. 👏👏👏👏

[@MsMaxine306]

Please, oh yes you can!!

[@awkwardbash]

Not only did the man that hit Ashby get hit by his own drunk driver, but he did so at a baseball game protecting other kids from getting hurt by the lady and I think that's in important detail.

[@Deroliebe]

Jessica Maple and the Burglars sounds like a hot indie band

[@kickingleaves5122]

Determination can achieve so much. Don’t give up worthwhile endeavors!!

[@jalenikezeue4114]

These Civilians Are Heroes

[@Ian666peace]

It wasn't a huge deal but I once solved a case in a roomful of people by using the 'first smelled, first dealt' approach.

[@ChubbyChecker182]

And whoever supplies it denies it

[@WAHegle91]

How is the “Grateful Doe” case a crime? The only information provided in this video about what happened to him and the driver of the car was that they were in a wreck. What made it a crime?

[@stevengonzalez8394]

Is that the Polk county sheriff guy? Dues hilarious!

[@Leeza3370]

The podcast your own backyard, helped catch the killer of Ca -State University student Kristin Smart. Great podcasts if you haven't listened

[@Nenernener123]

8:07 I think we have different interpretations of “sick twist of fate.”

[@kaylamarie3649]

I think the best example of internet sleuths solving a murder is the case of Jun Lin & Luka Magnotta. Don’t f*** with cats.

[@IAmMightyMike]

My band teacher from highschool like 14 years ago was killed in a hit and run. This kind of gives me hope theyll figure this out.

[@NadiaGirl1]

It does sooner or later the truth comes out regardless of the time

[@mrhumble2937]

Awesome vid

[@jaredquinney204]

What an awesome video

[@marcellemccalla6325]

The Magnotta case was nuts. I remember the initial crime and the measurements put in place for the mail and security for governments. But until i saw the documentary Don't f*ck with cats i didn't know all the background that had gone on prior the murder and how preventable it was.

[@scottbakanumba1heathen313]

Sheriff Grady Judd! 💙🚔

[@JohnnyGingy]

Little reminder law enforcement officers are normal people too they just get treated like they aren’t.

[@NicklePickle426]

#14 isn't a sick twist of fate, its called Karma!!! You kill an innocent baby- dont expect to go gracefully, you'll get it back tenfold!!!

[@NadiaGirl1]

Oh yeah the lady name was carol then she had almost the same age if the victim was alive

[@dianamcmahon51510]

Am I missing something with the guy who ran over the little girl? They said they couldn't charge him because the statute of limitations was up, but there is no statute of limitations on vehicular manslaughter.

[@misseselise3864]

7:58 “…will not be in court since the statute of limitations on MOST charges has long expired” but i do agree that it’s a bullshit reason. he still killed someone whether it be 6 minutes ago or 6 decades ago. not charging him just shows ppl they can get away with shit

[@bethgagliardi4983]

I wonder if they were trying to charge him with negligent homicide. I’m not sure what the statute of limitations is on that. Or what the law was when the actual murder happened. It was some fate with him getting killed by a hit and run driver. It’s like Miranda’s killer getting off because they didn’t read him his Miranda rights.

[@yadielenielbellecolon982]

Thank For The Video 🙊🤯💗😍🌟💛🥇🏆

[@FrankieWilde2021]

It's sad when it's so simple but the police don't do anything. Example Yaakov German checked cctv police should have done that

[@SirAsdf]

Imagine having 27 years of your life taken away despite having 8 fucking witnesses there to validate you couldn't have done the crime AND a guy who had already admitted to the crime. If that isn't institutional racism I don't know what is.

[@jonmel]

It’s exactly why you don’t have the death penalty

[@LETMino85]

@@jonmel Exactly! It's insanity to allow a death penalty on biased desicions. And humans are always biased. Apart from the ethical aspect of course.

[@abduljabars]

Imagine....instead of just saying " I want to break up", you kill the fool.

[@bettyjames4155]

The only case I ever solved was, which one of my cats killed the mice I found in my yard 😂

[@karynwells4934]

Which one did it?

[@bettyjames4155]

@@karynwells4934 My female. 🤣

[@Christina-n-Dogs]

Monica: "Why did you kill Dr Helen Davidson?" The gardener: "Because I'm gay"

[@lisagibson2975]

5 years after confessing to the hit and run of the girl, the guy who kinda got off scott free was killed in a hit and run? I aint saying Karma's a bitchin driver but..

[@gregoriojaro8963]

THESE NORMAL PEOPLE ARE THE REAL LIFE SHERLOCK HOLMES THAT DESERVES MORE RECOGNITION WHO HELPED POLICE OFFICERS TO SOLVE SOME CRIMINAL CASES IN ORDER TO TRACK DOWN THE CULPRITS, KEEP UP THE GREAT WORK & THANK YOU! 👪👮🚨🚔👏

[@TalentscountHiresLLC]

Why are you screaming?

[@HartKent]

Have watched the doc Don’t F**k with cats - it’s very good!

[@AgentXXeyes]

6 months for killing a person 😕

[@irawilliams343]

This brings back my love for Nancy Drew

[@ar90242]

I solved the mystery of the missing cookie from the cookie jar.

[@MrJayKay11]

who took the cookie from the cookie jar?

[@Kinosho_Kawakami]

"normal" people? as if to say people who investigate crimes aren't normal? just say civilians. also statue of limitations is the stupidest thing ever. crime doesn't "go away" or lose its meaning just because few fears have passed. you still killed/robbed/whatever someone no matter how old you are and there are consequences for your actions, especially if you admit to the crime.

[@kimberlywatkins2881]

This proves how lazy authorities are and quite frankly are just getting a check for basically doing nothing at all.i feel like if crimes are solved by citizens they should be paid for it and the pay should come out of the salary of whoever was assigned the case.

[@artimecion]

can we get a video of crimes solved by abnormal people?😂

[@CurrentTechX]

Wish such crimes never happen :)

[@marygoround1292]

I'm a Buffalo native. How did I not know about Valentino Dixon?!

[@spots7630]

Do Top 100 celebrities that both sing & act of all time with contenders like Lady Gaga Whitney Houston Jennifer Lopez Dolly Parton Elvis Presley Frank Sinatra Bing Crosby Ice Cube Tupac Shakur Eminem Snoop Dogg Jamie Foxx Paul McCartney Phil Collins Zendaya Hailee Steinfeld Childish Gambino And many more to 100

[@lorimartin6819]

Interesting

[@raffi19791]

Man commits a hit and run, then karma comes to him 55 years later.

[@andrewzakrzewski2770]

I wish the internet would solve my brothers murder. My brother Tony Zakrzewski was murdered in Alma, AR. The murder, the case and all was mishandled.

[@kenya1067]

I'm so sorry for your loss.

[@andrewzakrzewski2770]

@kenya1067 thank you for that, I truly appreciate it

[@gannicusfinch7068]

I found his missing persons page. What are your thoughts as to what happened?

[@andrewzakrzewski2770]

@@gannicusfinch7068 he was killed over drugs. He was made an example of

[@gannicusfinch7068]

@@andrewzakrzewski2770 Very sorry to hear that. I hope you and your family finds justice.

[@jocelynhale7168]

16:36 IS THAT THE MOTHAFUCKIN LEGEND SHERIFF GRADY JUDD?! His press conferences are absolute gold😂

[@hannah.vallee]

My sister went to school with Doug Parkhurst’s grandson and the woman who killed him worked with my brother in law. When he died it was big news in our small town

[@Aaaaaa-u2i1r]

why did she do it? drunk?

[@ellnats]

sometimes the law needs help from someone outside the system

[@kiminowak8295]

October of 1989!? Holy shit!! That's basically 4 months after my older sister was born🤯

[@versaceboi4762]

The Luka case... Aren't those the same sleuths that doxxed the hell out an innocent person to the point where he killed himself?

[@misseselise3864]

no. they were ppl with the same goal but there was no connection between the doxxers and the actual sleuths

[@MrAjking808]

@@misseselise3864yes they did

[@tevinwise6140]

I wonder…do the police not have the funds / manpower to do their jobs or do they just don’t care about solving a damn thing?

[@introvertsrock9843]

List: criminals who failed... Ex. When ppl choose to own manual vehicles and the criminals can't flew the scene after carjacking

[@5ftOfRage]

Years ago someone I thought was my friend broke into my mom's house stoled my PlayStation 3 and PSP. In try to sell them at a pawn shop.

[@Aaaaaa-u2i1r]

5:29 lol, that sounds like the title of a young teen movie/book

[@BrianJNelson]

It should be noted that Michelle McNamara was the wife of Patton Oswald and they had a daughter together. Her obsession not only took her life, but it left behind a husband and child that had to pick up the pieces. Sometimes it is best to step away from an obsession rather than let it consume you.

[@goingrogue2236]

I solved the case of who ate Dad's last cookie. All of my kids denied it but after much investigating, it turns out it was me. I had just forgotten I had done it.

[@hach1mura]

#16 sure sounds like a band name

[@5ftOfRage]

One of the stores is pretty messed up sense big majority of my mom's family is from Mississippi

[@keshiathompson9296]

I'm sorry but why would you let a strange man in your home?

[@shafiasimone]

Valentino Dixon's conviction is absolutely absurd.

[@amys2650]

There are so many true crime fans that are very capable of helping the police if they would only let us. I know there are people that troll the police and give fake leads but there are 1000% more that want to help and are great at looking at things in a different light where with cases it’s probably east to get tunnel vision. Let us help you help the victims and their families we don’t want rewards or fame we want to catch the bad people that do these things. Women are great sleuths and we always can find info on anything not that men can but if you put a clip or mention a incident we will find who you need

[@qsita]

I support “Give us a CRIMEMojo”

[@queenrhubarb1676]

You know you done goofed up when a 12 year old can solve a crime, but a professional can’t.

[@shawnhornick1901]

Saw her best friends ghost 🙄

[@mandapaige1]

Ed O’Neil could play DeAngelo in a biopic

[@kenyattaclay7666]

The woman in #20 didn’t actually solve anything & she’s been riding that to make money. She just like the police thought it was someone else & the reason she wanted to become a PI was to put that man in prison. She was stuck on him just like the police were & was surprised when the DNA didn’t come back to him. If she had investigated & had the real killer as a possible suspect then that would be one thing but she didn’t so I can’t count that one.

[@faniaria2090]

If Murder, she wrote (or some of Agatha Christies works) were a series of real events, this list sure would look different.