Cold Case

Detective Lilly Rush from Philadelphia Homicide reopens a 1976 murder case involving two wealthy families when the former housekeeper, who is now old and dying of cancer, comes forward claiming to have witnessed the murder of a young teenage girl who was found dead near a party hosted by her two wealthy brothers.

Lilly investigates a 1983 murder in which a young mother was killed by a homemade bomb packed in a laundry-detergent box shortly before she was to testify in court against a man who exposed himself to her.

A serial rapist who terrorized the city five years earlier, leaving one woman dead, sends a letter to the detective squad letting them know that he is back and ready to strike again.

Lilly reopens a 1990 homicide, in which a church organist was found stabbed to death in his van surrounded by pornography and drugs in a seedy part of town, after the man's Alzheimer's-afflicted widow begins to have flashbacks about the night of the crime.

Lilly reopens a 1973 murder case, in which a 21-year-old rookie cop was shot three times in the chest, after a drug addict brings in an audio tape she found on which the fatal shooting is heard. Also on the tape are the victim's final words "Runner! Runner! Runner!"

Lilly gets a cocky new partner, Scotty Valens, just as she reopens a 1981 homicide involving a 16-year-old female track star who was fatally shot. The investigation is renewed after a felon, who is trying to get a reduced sentence, tells officers he saw a student washing blood out of a car the night of the murder.

Lilly reopens a 1964 homicide case in which a college baseball player who was homosexual was beaten to death outside of a gay club. The dead man's now elderly and ill mother, who seeks closure before she dies, is the reason the investigation is renewed. Lilly's probe soon turns up some disturbing evidence that indicates cops routinely raided gay bars in the 1960s and beat the patrons.

Lilly tries to solve a 2001 case in which a woman and her 6-year-old daughter mysteriously fell from an apartment window. The girl died, and the mother survived but lapsed into a coma. When the woman suddenly wakes up, she remembers little of that night except that someone was out to hurt them.

Lilly gets an anonymous phone call from a man claiming he killed an elderly woman back in 1989 and buried her body in the basement of a house. When Lilly checks the dwelling, a body is recovered, but the alleged murderer refuses to identify himself.

Lilly reopens the 1997 murder of a 20-year-old college student who, while hitchhiking home after a big gambling win in Atlantic City, was taken into a wooded area and shot to death. The case is reinvestigated when a similar homicide takes place in Delaware and matches another one in New Jersey, prompting police to believe that a serial killer may be responsible.

A college professor, who lost his job and family after being suspected of murdering one of his students in 1995, comes forward with new information on the crime that he hopes will clear his name and allow him to regain his teaching position. He believes the student's death is connected to the recent murder of a prostitute who was killed in a similar manner.

Stillman asks Lilly to reopen a case he originally investigated in 1980 involving an 8-year-old boy who was murdered in an alley while heading home from a five-and-dime store. The probe centers on a priest and a trio of black teens, who may have threatened the boy.

Lilly reopens the 1939 murder case of a 25-year-old black woman after the woman's granddaughter comes forward with new information about the crime contained in letters the victim wrote stating that she was afraid of a milkman.

The 1958 death of an unknown 6-year-old boy found in a field inside a cardboard box is reinvestigated after a small suitcase with the child's picture and his old cowboy hat is left in front of a church. The new probe reveals that the rowdy boy lived at a Catholic-run orphanage and was adopted two days before his suspicious demise.

The body of a champion disco dancer who died in a 1978 club fire, along with 22 others, is found beneath the building's ruins, but with a gunshot wound to the head. The investigation reveals the fire was arson, intended to cover up the murder, and that there are several suspects who had both motive and opportunity.

The bodies of a white woman and a black man who both went missing in 1969 are discovered wrapped in plastic under a building's foundation at a construction site. The investigation reveals the two were involved with an underground abortion clinic and may have been targets of the FBI.

The 1987 murder of a high-school basketball phenom is reopened after the victim's son, also a top prospect, receives a phone threat that he'll be killed just like his dad was if he plays in the state-championship game. The caller includes information about the killing that is known only by the police. The investigation focuses on a disgruntled former player who was suspended from the team shortly before the murder.

Lilly investigates an unsolved hit-and-run accident from New Year's Eve 1999 that left a man dead, after a recovering alcoholic comes forward and claims she is the one who hit him. But the evidence points to the guy being murdered, not accidentally run down.

The shooting death of a man in his driveway is connected to the unsolved 1992 murder of a Democratic campaign worker whose lifeless body was thrown into a nearby river on election night. The investigation centers on the relationship the dead woman had with a present-day congressman. Apparently, the victim in the current homicide probed into the earlier slaying and discovered damning new evidence. Elsewhere, Lilly spies Kite flirting with a new ADA and gets jealous.

The 1985 murder of a corrupt stockbroker who swindled thousands of people out of their money is reopened after one of the dead man's protégés comes forward with new information, which he's willing to exchange for a lighter sentence now that he's in trouble with the law. He claims that shortly before the murder, he overheard one of the cheated investors threaten the broker, but the investigation reveals that several people wanted the man dead.

The 1989 murder of a young mother is reopened when the woman's teenage son, who witnessed the crime when he was 3 years old, is brought in for petty theft and starts talking. The investigation reveals that the boy's slain mom may not have been who she claimed to be.

The 1999 drowning death of a military academy's swim coach, which was originally ruled as accidental, is reinvestigated after the homicide division receives a note that suggests it was murder. Back at the office, Valens searches for Elisa after she goes missing.

As the first season ends, Lilly reopens a 1986 case in which a 15-year-old girl was killed at a popular lovers lane: DNA evidence has revealed that an innocent man was convicted of the crime. The new investigation turns the spotlight on several men who were attracted to the teen and may have had motive to kill her.

Lilly investigates the 2003 triple homicide of a restaurant owner, his wife and a busboy, an assignment that she was abruptly taken off of to work her first cold case. She's called in after the accused defendant in the slayings is proven innocent. The case opens old wounds for Jeffries, who knew the victims, and for Vera, who may have mishandled the evidence.

Lilly reopens a case from 1943 in which a female factory worker was found dead after an apparent accidental fall, but the investigation points to murder and reveals that the shy, married victim had secrets that may have lead to her death.

Lilly reopens a presumed homicide from 1979 in which a Jane Doe's blood-drenched shoes, underwear and sheets are found in a trash bag, but no body. The investigation begins when a battered wife accuses her husband of murdering a girl in 1979 and brings in amateur film from the time that supposedly shows him committing the crime.

The body of an inmate who tried to escape in 1968 from a now-closed state penitentiary is discovered when a sinkhole opens up, and Lilly must determine if he was murdered. The evidence suggests that the man was the victim of foul play and Lilly learns that he had escaped from the prison twice before.

Lilly investigates the 1991 double murder of married illegal immigrants from Cambodia who were shot in their apartment and found by their 6-year-old daughter. The now-teenage girl brings the case to Lilly after she discovers that a bracelet once owned by her mother is for sale on the Internet. The probe reveals that the parents had dark secrets unknown to their daughter.

Lilly reopens a 1990 murder case in which a prep-school girl with bizarre markings on her body was found dead in a local swimming hole, after a present-day victim with similar markings is discovered at the same place. The investigation reveals that the victim of the earlier crime was routinely tormented by a trio of classmates who invited her to a sleepover the night she was killed.

Lilly reopens a 1983 murder case in which a gay man was beaten and strangled to death shortly after learning that he had infected his lover with HIV. The investigation reveals that the man had made quite a few enemies in his zealous efforts to educate people about the virus.

The 1953 murder of a white school teacher, a communist sympathizer who was involved in civil-rights issues, is reopened after the victim's youngest son asks for it to be reinvestigated. The probe reveals that the slain man was killed on the same day that the Rosenbergs were executed and was set to testify the next day before the House Committee on Un-American Activities. Also, Lilly's estranged sister unexpectedly shows up.

The headless torso of a woman who disappeared in 1985, on the same day she filed domestic-abuse charges against her husband, is found by hikers in a wildlife preserve. The investigation quickly leads to the grisly discovery of eight more decapitated bodies, the victims of a serial killer.

The widow of a slain Connecticut ADA, whose 2000 stabbing death in Philadelphia was never solved, asks that the case be reopened to clear her late husband's name after he's accused of having stolen money from the DA's office by a colleague running for state treasurer. The investigation reveals that the deceased was prosecuting a high-profile murder case at the time of his death, one that could have boosted his career.

Lilly investigates the 1978 poisoning of a 20-year-old man involved in a cult. His death was originally ruled a suicide, but his sister comes forward with new evidence that points to a deprogrammer her father had hired to kidnap him. Elsewhere, Valens gets some bad news regarding his girlfriend, Elisa.

The 1976 death of a boxer, who died immediately after going 15 rounds in a high-profile fight, is investigated after the referee admits that he took money to ensure that the match went the distance. The investigation reveals that the young boxer was in love with the ref's daughter, and the ref didn't think the fighter was good enough for her. Meanwhile, Valens still grieves for Elisa, but finds some comfort with another woman.

Lilly reopens the 1987 murder of a 6-year-old girl in a park who was apparently an innocent victim of a drive-by shooting spree. The probe gets under way when the assault weapon used in the crime suddenly reappears. The investigation suggests that the intended target was a brash young man who was playing basketball in the park at the time of the incident. Meanwhile, Lilly confronts Valens about him seeing her sister, Christina, and warns him about her past.

The unsolved 1969 strangling death of a 19-year-old girl who was found dead in her boyfriend's apartment is reopened after the man, the chief suspect in the case and missing in Canada for 36 years, returns to attend his father's funeral. But he claims he's innocent and points the finger at the victim's former fiancé with whom she broke up to be with him. Also, Lilly confronts her sister, Christina, about seeing Valens.

Lilly investigates the 1993 death of a mentally challenged teen who was hit by a train, after drawings appear on his grave that indicate foul play might have been involved. The probe reveals that the boy's mother was dying of cancer at the time and that he was being partially cared for by a 19-year-old friend. Lilly also learns that the boy was a target of abuse at his school.

Lilly investigates the 1998 death of a 9-year-old boy who drowned a month after being kidnapped from a department store and held for ransom. The probe reveals that the boy ended up in the home of a pedophile. The case is brought back to life when Stillman's brother, a priest, informs his sibling that a man involved in the abduction confessed to him in 1998, but was recently killed during a robbery attempt.

Lilly investigates the 1982 murder of a surgeon's wife, a crime for which the doctor was sentenced to prison, after new evidence is found that seems to support his innocence. The probe gets under way after a woman who knew the victim is found overdosed in her home. She's wearing a ring that belonged to the surgeon and she fits the description of the woman he claimed ran from his house following the fatal shooting.

The 1995 death of an alcoholic mother that was originally ruled an accident is reinvestigated when her sister comes forward with new evidence that suggests foul play. The probe reveals that she had angry confrontations with several men the night she died. The case holds special meaning for Vera, who was once romantically involved with the deceased woman's sister.

Jeffries reopens the 1963 murder of a black 16-year-old boy whose severely beaten body was found by the then 12-year-old Jeffries in a local park. The veteran detective believes the killing was racially motivated and may be linked to the fact that the boy's father supervised several white men who resented him at a nearby plant. Elsewhere, Valens' drinking becomes a problem on the job.

Lilly reopens a 1985 murder case in which a mill worker was stabbed to death at a gas station in what was thought to be a petty robbery gone wrong. An inmate confesses that he stole the guy's money, but only after he pulled in and found the dead body. The investigation reveals that the murdered man had lost his job and was in financial trouble, which took a toll on his family and his friendships. Meanwhile, a New York City detective comes looking for Christina.

A convicted serial killer will be paroled after 25 years in prison unless Lilly and her team can connect him to the 1977 murder of a young doorman found strangled on a train platform. The killing is eerily similar to other murders committed by the man. Making the case more urgent is the fact that the convicted strangler hints that he will kill again upon release. Elsewhere, Scotty confronts Christina about her past and tries to get her to talk to a New York detective.

A bullet-riddled truck containing human bones is pulled from a river and it's believed that the remains are those of a 17-year-old girl who went missing in 1932. The investigation reveals that the girl was the sister of a bootlegger who happened to own the truck. It's also discovered that the white teen may have been in a relationship with a black girl who had another lover---the jealous type.

Lilly tracks a serial killer who eluded her months earlier. The chase begins after nine human skulls are found in the backyard of an abandoned house where a blind woman, whose killer was never found, was murdered in 1972. The woman's 12-year-old son witnessed the crime, and now is believed to be a mass murderer. Making the case more eerie is the fact that the killer knows intimate details about Lilly's life, which he tries to use against her.

Lilly reopens the 1988 murder of a teen who died on his graduation day after being run down by an unknown driver. The probe is prompted after the victim's daughter, who was abandoned at birth and is now a teen herself, is confronted by a man who claims to be her real father and wants to take her away. Joining the investigation is Josie Sutton, a detective who transfers to the cold-case unit following an alleged sex scandal.

Lilly investigates the 2004 death of an 18-year-old woman who was killed in a frat-house fire. A picture the girl took with her phone shortly before she died shows her being held down and alcohol being forced down her throat. The overweight girl was humiliated by the frat guys and one of them may have killed her. The probe leads to a city councilman who was there that night.

Lilly reopens a 1978 case in which a young man was stabbed to death outside a theater where the slasher flick "Halloween" was playing. At the time, the unsolved murder was thought to have been committed by a copycat killer influenced by the film. But when the victim's mother comes forth with new evidence, Lilly doesn't buy the copycat angle. Shortly before the man died, he proposed to a friend who was paralyzed. His mother believes that proposal led to his death.

A 20-year-old Negro League All-Star player is beaten to death outside of Connie Mack Stadium in 1945 with his own bat after hitting the game-winning home run against an all-white major-league team. The case is reopened after Jeffries' nephew inquires about the murder. The investigation reveals that the victim had a run-in with a racist white player after the game and with a threatening black player before the contest.

Lilly investigates the 1954 murder of a woman who was allegedly bludgeoned to death shortly after being released from an asylum. The case is reopened after an elderly woman dies and her estranged son claims the deceased is not his mother. The probe reveals that his mom was the 1954 victim. She was committed to the asylum after nearly killing herself and her son in a house fire that she set. Also, Valens learns the truth about Josie's past.

Four of five teen brothers are gunned down separately over a six-year period, beginning in 1999. After the latest shooting, Lilly reopens the other three unsolved cases and recalls that the 1999 murder was her first homicide investigation. The probe reveals that the brothers were involved with dangerous gangs and that revenge may have played a factor in their deaths.

The 1999 case of a 24-year-old woman who was the co-CEO of a start-up Internet company who was found dead in a rowing scull on a city river. Lilly reopens the case when a threatening letter addressed to the woman turns up on a computer that was donated to a school. The investigation reveals that the woman's company was losing millions and that she wasn't well liked by her employees. Meanwhile, Valens believes a man who threw a woman into a river from a bridge may have killed Elisa as well.

The 1973 murder of a Vietnam prisoner of war who was slain seven months after he returned home is reopened after a box of POW bracelets with the victim's name on them turns up in the cellar of a drug house. The investigation reveals that the soldier had difficulty adjusting to life back home and may have gotten into drugs. Stillman, who served in Vietnam, takes the case personally and becomes determined to find the killer.

The remains of a small girl are found under a bridge. The story goes back to the 60's and turns out the girl has a twin sister still alive. A sad family story begins to unravel.

Danny probes the closed case of a 2001 killing of the popular owner of a local deli.

In 1988, a young man is gunned down on a highway after his car is hit from behind and a woman riding with him is wounded. The case was thought to be a routine carjacking until the woman disappeared from the hospital where she was being treated. In 2006, the probe is reopened when the woman is spotted in Atlantic City and she's brought in for questioning. The investigation reveals that the woman and the married victim were having an affair and planned to run away with each other.

The apparent 1994 suicide of a high-school student who fell from the school's roof after serving detention with three other students is reinvestigated when new information is discovered. At the time of the victim's death, a scrap of paper thought to be a suicide note was found next to the body. But now an additional piece of paper is found that indicates the victim thought his life was in danger.

The 1968 death of an 18-year-old girl who apparently fell down a flight of stairs backstage at a debutante ball is investigated after her mother comes forward with new information. A local art dealer, who back in 1968 escorted the victim at the ball, is accused of killing his wife by pushing her down the steps. The mother believes it isn't a coincidence that both victims died in the same way. Lilly becomes convinced, too, but there isn't any evidence to prove it.

Lilly investigates the 2000 murder of a bank teller, who was gunned down during a robbery by thieves wearing Johnny Cash masks and carrying sawed-off shotguns, after the same bank is hit again by robbers wearing similar masks and equipped with identical weapons. The probe reveals that the victim may have known her killer. Back at headquarters, a man from Lilly's past shows up and wants to rekindle their relationship.

The 1998 murder of a young Colombian woman who was a drug mule is reinvestigated when the victim's handler is arrested after returning to Philadelphia for his brother's wedding. Lilly soon learns that Valens knew the victim because he worked undercover on a drug case in which the dead woman was involved.

A man who calls himself John Doe comes into the station and tells Lilly that he abducted and buried a 17-year-old boy alive in 1980. At first, Lilly doesn't know whether to believe him or not. But after she realizes he is telling the truth, she comes to a horrific conclusion: the man has abducted another victim, who may still be buried alive.

A rising female tennis player is strangled to death in her college dorm room in 1973 after defeating the school's top-ranked male player in a "Battle of the Sexes" fund-raiser. Lilly reinvestigates the case when the victim's sister brings in new evidence that suggests her sibling may have been poisoned earlier. Also, Vera's wife tells him that their 12-year marriage is over.

An actor appearing in a local production of "Cabaret" is shot and killed on opening night in 2002 outside of the theater. The case is reinvestigated after a gun, the same caliber used in the murder, is found in a dresser that was a prop in the play. The probe reveals that the victim, engaged to be married, may have been falling in love with his leading lady and that he made the mistake of standing up to the show's demeaning director.

A woman's body is found in a ravine on Christmas Day in 1929. Lilly decides to reinvestigate the unsolved crime after the victim's great-granddaughter comes in and asks for help in solving the murder. Lilly partly takes on the case to distance herself from her mother, who shows up to tell Lilly that she is getting married and that she wants Lilly to be her maid of honor. As for the case, it's learned the victim had a baby out of wedlock and needed money to support the child.

The 1994 rape and murder of a 16-year-old girl is reinvestigated after a death-row inmate convicted of the crimes who is scheduled to be executed in three days calls Jeffries claiming that he's innocent. His statement is given weight by the fact that the arresting officer in the case just committed suicide because he was about to be exposed as a dirty cop. The convict claims the officer framed him.

The unsolved 1945 death of a woman reporter thrown in front of a train during an alleged robbery is reopened when new evidence suggests she was murdered by someone she knew. The investigation reveals that the victim made enemies on her job at a city newspaper and that she was in love with a concentration-camp survivor. On the night of her death, she planned to meet someone, possibly her killer, at the train station. Also, Jeffries is disciplined and put on desk duty.

The 1984 murder of an emergency-room doctor who was shot in the chest in an alley is reinvestigated after a former junkie comes forward with new information. The woman claims she saw a white man shoot the victim, but a homeless black man was arrested for the crime after he was found wearing the dead man's shoes. The probe reveals that the doctor had a gambling problem and was broke. Also, Valens takes action when a suspected child molester is spotted in a park.

Lilly reopens the 2005 murder of a man who was a counselor to troubled teens at a rehab house. The victim was killed by a shotgun blast through his front door just two weeks before he was to testify in court about a murder he witnessed at the rehab house. During the probe, Lilly feels a strange connection to the dead man, and it clouds her judgment in the case to the point of perhaps compromising the investigation.

Lilly investigates a 1995 shooting spree at a mall in which two teen boys killed 15 people before committing suicide. The case is reopened when a video of the crimes is found and it suggests that a third shooter was involved. Elsewhere, Stillman asks Valens to investigate whether Valens' brother may have been molested by a boxing coach in the 1980s.

A 2004 case in which an Iraq War veteran abruptly disappeared is reopened after the missing woman's prosthetic arm is found in the Delaware River. The probe reveals that the victim lost her arm during an attack in Iraq and felt responsible for the death of a friend killed in the ambush. The woman's husband becomes a leading suspect, but he claims he loved his wife, even though she came back from the war a much changed person.

The 1948 death of a miner is investigated after transit workers find his body in a service tunnel five stories below a river while expanding the subway system. The probe reveals that the man was a union leader who may have butted heads with management in a labor dispute. The deceased was also a married white man in love with a widowed black woman. Also, Lilly feels uncomfortable when Joseph tells her that he loves her.

A 6-month-old girl's 1982 death, originally ruled to be a result of sudden-infant-death syndrome, is investigated when new evidence reveals the baby may have drowned. The probe reveals the girl's parents divorced shortly after her death and that the father didn't want to have another baby. Also, Lilly learns that Ray is in the hospital after apparently being beaten.

The parents of an autistic boy are gunned down in their car while on their way to get takeout. The 2003 case is reopened when Joseph informs Lilly that the boy, now in a state institution, blurts out a specific number whenever the parents are mentioned. It's soon learned the boy was in the car when the murders occurred, but he's unable to identify the killer. In a more personal matter, Ray tells Lilly he's leaving for California and wants her to come with him.

The apparent 1958 suicide of a popular rock-and-roll DJ is reinvestigated after a documentary filmmaker discovers a tape recording made at the time of the victim's death by gunshot at his radio station. The probe reveals the victim had enemies, from angry parents who didn't approve of the music he played to record-company hucksters trying to bribe him to play records. Also, Valens tries to get his brother to testify against a suspected pedophile.

The 1979 murder of a schoolteacher who was stabbed to death in a wooded area is reopened when the victim's bloodstained jacket is found stuffed in a tree trunk with a happy-face key chain in a pocket. The case was originally investigated by Jeffries when he was a rookie detective. The probe reveals the victim died two months after attending a key party she left with a neighbor, a man with whom she had an affair.

The 1975 disappearance of an 8-year-old girl who was never found is reinvestigated after a note written by the girl shortly before she vanished turns up. The probe reveals the white victim was best friends with a black girl who had recently moved into the neighborhood. Their friendship rattled many in the predominantly white neighborhood and the girls quickly became targets of hatred.

A homely 33-year-old woman is gunned down in an alley in 1989 and her unsolved murder is reinvestigated when a tape of the victim, made for a dating service, turns up in a suicide victim's apartment. Apparently, it was what the man was watching when he killed himself. The probe reveals the man was a con artist who dated lonely women in order to rob them of their life savings. Also, Vera moves into an apartment of his own.

The unsolved 1968 murder of a policeman is reinvestigated when a dying inmate claims he took a brick of heroin from the slain officer's patrol car shortly after the victim was gunned down in the same vehicle. The probe reveals the cop put the heat on a neighborhood drug dealer who had other officers on his payroll. The victim also had a reputation as a womanizer.

Lilly and Valens travel to Nashville and Knoxville to investigate the 2000 murder of a country-music singer who was gunned down outside of a Philadelphia bar where he and his band had recently played. The unsolved case is reopened when the gun used in the homicide turns up. The investigation reveals there was tension between the three band members and also between the victim and his estranged wife who lives in Tennessee.

Lilly investigates the murder of a 17-year-old prep-school student who disappeared in early 2006 and whose body is found stuffed in an oil drum outside an abandoned warehouse in a drug-infested part of the city. The investigation reveals the victim was involved in a fight club with some other students from his school. Also, Vera pays a parking ticket for his neighbor and later asks her out on a date.

Lilly investigates the 1996 murder of a wealthy divorced woman who was found dead in her ex-husband's indoor swimming pool. The original investigation ruled the death accidental, but new evidence suggests it was a homicide. It's also learned that the victim died during a citywide blackout and that she was terrified of the dark. In addition, the victim was a bitter woman and hated by most of her family members.

Two teens, one a preppy 13-year-old Chestnut Hill girl, the other a 15-year-old North Philadelphia boy who is a drug dealer, are both shot to death on the same January day in 2002 at 8:03 A.M., outside of different schools. The cold cases haunt Miller because it's the fifth anniversary of the shootings and she was the one who found the dying boy. She believes the cases are connected, but Lilly doubts that they are related.

Lilly investigates the deaths of a married couple who perished in 1981 when a supposedly accidental gas-leak explosion set their house on fire. The case is reopened when fragments of a bomb are discovered at the house during renovations. The investigation reveals the victims were involved in violent antiwar activities during the Vietnam War. Back at headquarters, Stillman takes care of his 4-year-old grandson.

Lilly investigates the 1964 murder of a 17-year-old girl who was sent by her parents to a home for unwed mothers, where she gave birth to a girl. The next day the teen was killed. The case is reopened when the victim's daughter comes forward, having just learned that she was adopted and that her biological mother was slain. The probe reveals the girl died in a field near the home after being hit on the head with a blunt object.

The 1984 murder of a teenager is investigated after his body is found in a Dumpster. The probe reveals the boy dreamed of becoming a dancer and auditioning for a performing-arts school, but his blue-collar father was vehemently against it.

The 1999 murder of a homeless woman, whose body is found at the bottom of a river in a station wagon, is investigated. The probe reveals the car wasn't just a vehicle to the woman and her family, it was their home.

A father pushes a registered sex offender off of a building and threatens to kill a different sex offender each day until the cold-case unit solves his son's 1987 rape and murder.

The 1997 murder of a 16-year-old girl is investigated after an anonymous confession is discovered in a modern-art exhibit. The probe leads the detectives into the cutthroat world of high-school cheerleading.

The 1919 death of a young suffragette, who was willing to use any means necessary to further women's rights, is investigated.

The 2005 murder of a longshoreman who accidentally became involved in a human-trafficking ring run by the Russian mob is investigated.

The 1998 death of a terminally ill man who died months before he was expected to is investigated after a nurse confesses to six so-called mercy killings.

A suicidal killer takes the entire cold-case team hostage while they investigate the murder of a family.

The fifth season begins with Lilly returning to work just weeks after being shot. She reopens a 1994 triple-murder case in which three boys were beaten to death. Two teens were convicted of the crimes but Lilly suspects they may have been innocent.

Lilly reopens the 1998 murder investigation of an allegedly promiscuous 15-year-old girl who was beaten to death. The case is given new life when the victim's tank top is discovered in an abandoned van.

The 2006 murder of an Amish teen who left home to visit Philadelphia as part of rumspringa, an Amish rite of passage, is reinvestigated when the victim's sister arrives to look for her.

The unsolved 1953 murder of an aspiring 19-year-old rock-and-roll singer is reinvestigated after new evidence indicates he was killed in his uncle's five-and-dime store and not in an alley behind a blues club where his body was found.

An unidentified woman who has been in a coma since she was shot in 1989 dies. Her unsolved case is reinvestigated and it's learned that she was a grifter who had a male partner and many vengeful victims.

The 1992 unsolved murder of a 14-year-old inner-city math genius is reinvestigated. The victim was shot after his 16-year-old half brother exploited the boy's abilities, such as counting cards and opening safes, for illegal gain with a local gang.

The murder of a woman who vanished in 1938 during Orson Welles' "War of the Worlds" radio broadcast is investigated when her body turns up in a well. The probe reveals the victim's family prepared to outrun the aliens they believed were invading the U.S.

The murders of three boys who disappeared between 1999 and 2003 are investigated after their bodies are found in separate storage units belonging to the same person. In addition, the body of a newly missing boy is discovered in yet another unit.

The 1963 death of a teen girl who dressed and acted like a boy is investigated to determine if she committed suicide or was murdered. Meanwhile, the consequences of Internal Affairs' probe of Valens are revealed.

The 1982 murder of a popular college student is reinvestigated after "rapist" is written on the dead man's gravestone. The probe reveals the victim was accused of date-rape by several former students before he was fatally shot, but their initial complaints were ignored by the police and the college-administration staff.

The 1945 murder of a Japanese-American man who moved his family to Philadelphia after he was released from a California internment camp is investigated; and Lily tries to get Stillman to withdraw his retirement papers.

Lily and the team try to capture a serial bomber whose attempt to kill a man with a pipe bomb failed, but did seriously injure another person. The investigation reveals the bomber is responsible for murdering two other victims and blinding a third one in three previous bombings.

The 1998 murder of a 17-year-old girl is reinvestigated after her drunken father is arrested for beating a 3-year-old girl. The probe reveals the dad's abuse, but it also uncovers information that the victim ran away with a neo-Nazi ex-con shortly before her death.

A deaf teen, who was thought only to be missing since 2006, is discovered to have been murdered when his blood is found in a storage room at the high school for the deaf he attended.

Lilly and Valens travel to West Virginia to escort back to Philadelphia a suspected murderer who is believed to have abducted a woman from her 2007 engagement party and then killed her.

The 1997 murder of an ex-con is investigated when the victim's severed hand is discovered during a drug bust. The arrested drug dealer claims he found the ex-con already dead, cut off the hand and disposed of the victim's body. He used the hand to sell fingerprints.

The 1962 death of a woman who was thought to have committed suicide is investigated after new evidence brought in by the deceased's granddaughter proves she was murdered.

In the fifth-season finale, a former drug addict claims to have seen her son---who supposedly perished in an apartment fire three years earlier---playing in a park.

The sixth season begins with the reinvestigation of a college-football star's murder in 1973 on the eve of a championship game. The unsolved case is reopened when new evidence suggests he was killed earlier than previously assumed. The probe also reveals the victim may have been involved with steroids.

The 1991 death of an inner-city schoolteacher is reinvestigated when new evidence indicates she may have been murdered instead of dying accidentally during a carjacking that got out of control.

Will and Kat travel to Mississippi to investigate the 1964 death of a Philadelphia woman who was secretly involved in helping bring supplies to the state's Freedom Schools, which educated black children. The victim's body was discovered in Pennsylvania. She was thought to have been involved in a hit-and-run accident, but new evidence, including a threatening letter, points to murder.

The 1978 death of a teen roller skater who was found in a ravine is reinvestigated when a new witness comes forward.

The 1951 murder of a marine who was reported AWOL on his last night of shore leave is reinvestigated. The new probe reveals that the victim was defending a fellow soldier on the night of his death.

The 1981 murder of a single mother who disappeared is investigated when her body is found in the trunk of a car. The probe reveals the victim worked at a run-down car dealership and that several of her coworkers resented her.

The 1969 murder of a 12-year-old boy is reinvestigated when new evidence is discovered by the police officer who originally worked the case. The probe begins after a toy rocket with the victim's name on it is given to the now-retired cop who handled the investigation.

The 1989 murder of a Russian opera prodigy who defected with her family to the U.S. before the fall of the Berlin Wall is reinvestigated. The case has significance for Vera because he was a rookie cop at the time and remembers the family seeking political asylum at the police station.

The 1953 murder of a famous pinup girl is reinvestigated when a fan brings in a crime-scene photo that sheds new light on the case.

Reinvestigating the 2005 murder of a black politician who vowed to rid his old neighborhood of drug dealers.

The 1960 murder of a stewardess who was attempting to organize a union is investigated, and the probe uncovers several hostile suspects who strongly resented her.

The 2007 murder of an auto mechanic who won $8 million in the state lottery is reinvestigated. Meanwhile, the evolving relationship between Valens and Frankie hits a major roadblock.

he 1988 murder of a reporter is reinvestigated when previously unseen TV footage indicates she was gathering evidence against a plastics company whose employees were being exposed to dangerous levels of asbestos. Her primary source for the information was an employee of the company.

The team investigate the 1967 demise of a brush salesman privy to private information about the residents in his area.

The detectives tackle a dual investigation, chasing leads on a missing teenager and his murdered father. Both were embroiled in a murky mob affair.

The team reopen a 1976 murder case when new evidence suggests the 17-year-old victim had connections to a notorious motorcycle gang.

The team take a break from digging up past crimes when Agent Jeffries is shot. Can they put their emotions aside and catch the escaped gunman?

A psychiatrist's 2004 death is reinvestigated to determine if one of her patients killed her by arson. Damaging notes from the suspect, now homeless and a paranoid schizophrenic, fuel the reexamination.

The 1958 murder of a newlywed real-estate developer who pioneered the lucrative idea of developing suburban communities with affordable houses is reinvestigated when new evidence suggests that he wasn't killed where his body was found. Also: Lilly dines with her father.

The 1999 murder of a former Cuban baseball star who escaped to the U.S. to pursue a major-league career and provide for his family is reinvestigated. The probe reveals that the Cuban government took drastic action against him for speaking to a U.S. sports agent. Meanwhile, Lilly's department plays its annual softball game.

The 1963 shooting death of a wandering pool hustler is reinvestigated when the murder weapon is discovered at a pool hall during a renovation. The probe reveals the victim played there just days before he died and that he was gunned down on the same day President Kennedy was assassinated.

The 2005 murder of a local military academy's first female cadet is investigated after her body is discovered in a buried foot locker. The probe reveals that the victim was cruelly treated by resentful male cadets and school administrators, as well as hateful alumni.

The sixth season ends with the investigation of a female cadet's 2005 murder at a local military academy, where she was resented for being the first female cadet. The case dredges up unpleasant memories for Lilly, who recalls her own difficult journey to become the first female homicide detective in Philadelphia.

The seventh season opens with the team investigating the 1966 shipboard murder of a young woman traveling in steerage on a luxury ocean liner who was believed to have committed suicide by jumping overboard. But new evidence indicates otherwise. Meanwhile, the trial of a military academy official who attempted to harm Lilly begins.

The 1995 murder of a runaway 17-year-old boy who was known for his outstanding skateboarding skills is investigated.

The 2004 murder of a teen at a juvenile detention center is investigated. The boy was wrongly sent to the facility and was killed before Valens could get him released. Meanwhile, Lilly reconnects with former flame Eddie Saccardo, a narcotics officer.

The 1970 murder of a musician who was instrumental in creating the Philadelphia soul sound is reinvestigated. The victim tried to keep his involvement in the music scene from his strict minister father. Meanwhile, Lilly meets her teen stepbrother, Finn.

The 1944 murder of a female pilot who flew noncombat missions for the U.S. during World War II is investigated. The victim was part of a civilian program that assisted the Army and Air Force. Meanwhile, the man who ran Lilly's car off a road is released from prison on bail.

The 1986 murder of a jockey is investigated after his body is discovered in a mass grave for horses. The victim disappeared shortly after losing a race that he had planned to be his finale before retiring.

The 1991 murder of a 14-year-old girl in foster care who was a promising rapper is investigated. The probe reveals the victim lived in a gang-infested neighborhood and was recently placed, along with her sister, with new foster parents.

The 1983 murder of a Chinese-American teen is reinvestigated. The case was originally handled by Stillman. The probe reveals the victim's girlfriend was killed by Chinese gang members three months earlier at a festival and that the dead man may have been seeking revenge.

The 1999 death of a high-school debate champion, which was originally ruled a suicide, is investigated after new evidence suggests he was murdered. The probe reveals the victim received a scholarship at a top private school and died shortly after losing a debate at the competitive campus.

The 1980 murder of a minor-league hockey player is investigated. The victim was killed on his team's home rink the night the U.S. hockey team defeated the Soviet Union in the Olympic Games.

The 2005 murder of an Army recruiter who was killed just two days before his scheduled deployment to Iraq is reinvestigated after a soldier comes forward with new evidence.

The 1974 murder of a private investigator is probed after his body is discovered in the cement foundation of a demolished building. The investigation reveals the victim uncovered damaging information about his last few clients and that he hired a tough associate to provide muscle during his final investigation.

The 1983 murder of a graffiti artist who died after spray paint was forced down his throat is investigated. Meanwhile, new details emerge about the person who mugged Valen's mother; and Lilly faces additional legal hurdles thrown her way by Moe.

The 1971 death of a teen aerialist who fell during a dangerous circus performance is investigated. New evidence suggests her fall wasn't an accident.

Lilly and the team attend a colleague's wedding and are persuaded by Jeffries to investigate whether the bride killed her former fiancé two years earlier---just hours after he called off their nuptials.

The 1986 murder of a dock worker who moonlighted as a wrestler is investigated. Meanwhile, Valens follows a lead that could result in the capture of his mother's rapist.

The team searches for Vera when he goes missing, and they reinvestigate a 2006 arson-homicide case that Vera obsessed over in recent weeks.

A murder is linked to a serial killer who has apparently been inactive for 27 years. Involved in the investigation is an FBI agent who has been tracking the killer for 30 years and who was responsible for breaking up Stillman's marriage years ago.

A serial killer is identified, and Lilly and the FBI attempt to protect his likely future targets while tracking him down.

The 1969 murder of a soldier at Woodstock is investigated. The probe reveals that the victim was between tours in Vietnam. During the inquiry, Lilly becomes attracted to a FBI agent working the case. Meanwhile, Vera helps his former girlfriend locate jewelry stolen from her home.

The 1989 death of a prom queen who was the victim of a potentially deliberate hit-and-run accident is investigated. Meanwhile, Lilly's troubled sister shows up, but Lilly refuses her dad's request to give her a second chance.

The seventh-season finale sees Lilly searching for her abducted sister. Meanwhile, Jeffries attempts to solve a murder involving a teenage girl that has haunted him for 17 years.