New Orleans Police Department detectives push to solve cold cases with help from the public

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — One week after speaking to the mother of Kevin August, New Orleans Police Department detectives hope new attention and a fresh set of eyes will help crack this case.

“Having to talk to families day in and day out and not be able to give them updates or give them the answers that they deserve is tough and never really goes away,” said NOPD Homicide Detective Jameson Diesburg.

It’s been almost three years since 31-year-old Kevin August was gunned down on General Taylor Street in broad daylight.

It’s a case Diesburg is hoping to bring to the light, in an effort to get new leads.

“The scene was very minimal, and there was no evidence that we were able to collect on the scene. It presented a challenge from the get-go,” said Diesburg.

He says detectives spoke to those in the area and released a photo of the suspects to the public. Despite these efforts, the case remains cold, which has prevented August’s loved ones, including his mother, Sharon August, from finding closure.

“We did speak with Ms. August recently. It’s troubling because I know that there are loved ones who are waiting for those answers and their lives are stuck on that day until they get that answer. So, I know that it’s tough for them, and that’s tough for me to have to not be able to give them those answers,” said Diesburg.

As time goes by the case only gets colder, but authorities refuse to give up.

“Never lose hope. Always know that you’re not forgotten,” said Crimestoppers Greater New Orleans CEO Darlene Cusanza.

Cusanza says leads are the best way to solve cold cases. She emphasized the relief families can feel due to anonymous callers revealing what they know.

“For the family to sit there and not have new information coming in, it’s devastating. We need to have a lot of detail. We need to have enough information so they can take that in, build a case, build a crop and corroborate the evidence to make an arrest,” said Cusanza.

Both Diesburg and Cusanza hope to get not only Kevin August’s case solved, but also other cold cases to bring families justice.

“A lot of these older cases, court cases, they rely heavily on witnesses coming forward that didn’t want to in the beginning,” said Diesburg.

“We’re that place where people can come and say it anonymously, and it’s incredibly important that people understand that because fear can last for years. But sometimes it actually lessens as time progresses,” said Cusanza.

NOPD officials said social workers are available for those who lost a loved one through violence to help them during these tough times. The office is located at 701 Loyola Ave. in New Orleans, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can also call 504-658-6795.

Anyone with information that could lead to cold cases being solved can call the NOPD or Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111.

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