There are far too many homicide investigations that have gone cold in Columbiana County in the last thirty years. So in an effort to get some of these cases closed, new task force has been formed, made up of police officers and sherif deputies from around the county.

The task force will be looking at 26 different cold cases involving homicides here in the county. It's hoped that with some fresh eyes with newer investigators, it will help get some of these cases solved.

Recently, the Columbiana County prosecutor's office successfully prosecuted the cold case of Melinda Todd who was murdered a decade ago. Kevin Kirby was sentenced to 20 years to life in prison for that murder.

Now with the creation of this cold case task force, officers from around the county will look at cold cases, trying to find that one thing that could lead to suspects or prosecution.

"Look at those weekly. This is dedicated manpower, dedicated resources, dedicated hours that we are going to spend touching these files, going over these files and because they are so old in some circumstances, having brand new eyes looking at them," said Columbiana County prosecutor, Vito Abruzzino.

County commissioners say they will help cover costs.  "There's a thing called closure and hopefully they'll be able to give families that," said Commissioner, Mike Halleck.

The 26 cases have been ranked and prioritized with which ones have the most evidence available, the most people involved who are still alive and which have the greatest promise of being resolved.

"You have to look at how much time has passed, what evidence is in that file now when it was left and it went cold and has there been any activity on that since that time," said Abruzzino.

Anyone who might have information regarding a past homicide can call an anonymous prosecutor's office tip line at 330-420-1050.