Kathleen Wood Cotton was murdered in her Wilmington, North Carolina home in July 1999, and the case remains unsolved. The 68-year-old was found beaten to death after a neighbor discovered her; her purse, money, and car were missing. The New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office investigated several persons of interest, including convicted criminals and a yard worker, but lacked sufficient evidence for charges. Cotton’s stolen car was recovered in Oklahoma City months later, leading to another suspect, though they could not be tied to the murder. Despite ongoing efforts and advancements in forensic technology, the case has gone cold. The community continues to seek answers, hoping that new information will finally bring justice to Cotton’s unsolved murder.