08/25/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 08/26/2025 02:58
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media inquiries contact: Jenn Truxall, [email protected]
ODRC and Hope Dudley aim to help resolve cold case homicides
(COLUMBUS, Ohio) - The Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction (ODRC) announced today, in partnership with CrimeStoppers and UCanSpeakForMe, the placement of posters within Ohio's prisons in hopes of receiving more information that could lead to answers for some of the estimated 5,000 cold case homicides in Ohio.
UCanSpeakForMe is an organization founded by Hope Dudley, who has served 18 years as a board member of CrimeStoppers. She took on that role just two weeks after the murder of her son, Daniel "Chaz" Dudley, in 2007. Hope continues to work tirelessly to support families affected by cold cases and to raise awareness about these cases. The relationship between UCanSpeakForMe and ODRC has been going strong for over a decade.
In an effort to expand awareness of cold cases, ODRC now displays posters in high-traffic areas of its 28 prisons featuring the names and faces of cold case homicide victims from Hamilton, Butler, and Montgomery counties in conjunction with Greater Cincinnati CrimeStoppers, which covers those counties. Incarcerated adults can now receive up to $2,500 through CrimeStoppers for tips that help solve a homicide.
"ODRC is always willing to help our community if the opportunity presents itself," said ODRC Director Annette Chambers-Smith. "Our incarcerated population will see these posters we hope that this leads to families getting some answers that they have been waiting years to receive."
"These posters are an expansion of the outreach we already do with Hope Dudley and ODRC," said Gene Ferrara of Greater Cincinnati CrimeStoppers. "Someone inside a prison may know something about these cases, and we hope they would be willing to reach out to us with that information and be compensated for doing so."
"I have made it my life's mission to be creative, persistent, and vocal," says Hope. "This is all just not for my son, but for countless other families still waiting for justice. Together we can be the voice for those who can no longer speak for themselves"
If you have questions or any information about any cold cases from Hamilton, Butler or Montgomery County, call CrimeStoppers at 513-352-3040.