Netflix’s Unsolved Mysteries reboot is already providing new insight into cold cases. Initially kicking off in 1987, the series was rebooted for modern audiences less than a month ago, with a selection of cases that are already gaining substantial attention.
The new series has instantly become one of Netflix’s most popular programs, with the viewer demographic likely split between those who remember and were fans of the original NBC series, and those who are discovering Unsolved Mysteries for the first time. True-crime programs have fared well over recent years, particularly for Netflix, so the addition of Unsolved Mysteries not only provides some engaging and outright creepy entertainment, but it also offers the opportunity of solving some cold cases. Though getting to the bottom of every case on the reboot is the ultimate goal, some cases resonate more with viewers than others. And with the dual advantages of Netflix streaming globally, as well as the popularity of social media, there has never been a time more ideally suited to sharing information, tips, photos, etc., than now.
The potential power of Unsolved Mysteries is already revealing itself, according to Variety. The program’s executive producer Terry Dunn Meurer spoke to the subject of progress in solving any of the six new episodes. While none of the cases have been solved yet, Unsolved Mysteries has received thousands of tips – some of which sound very promising. And, given that the series has only been streaming for less than a month, its future effects on cases that have long since gone cold could finally mean closure for families and friends of victims. Said, Meurer:
There’s probably around 2,000 tips and comments at this point [on unsolved.com] but not all of those are credible leads. Somebody asked me, “How many credible leads have you gotten?” I don’t have an answer for that because I don’t know. We pass the leads if there’s law enforcement involved. Like in the Alonzo Brooks case. We’ve been sending leads to them for Alonzo. I’ve been working on the [Rey] Rivera case. And then the lead for Endres is going directly to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. We know they’re working the leads we’re giving them, and I’m sure they’re getting leads of their own, but we just don’t know. There’s just no way to quantify how many credible leads there are. But a lot has come in. It’s been very active.
Among the cases that Unsolved Mysteries is responsible for popularising, the case of Alonzo Brooks ranks near the top. Meurer conceded that “Alonzo Brooks was probably [the case] we’ve received the most emails on.” He also revealed some new names had been introduced as a result of tips, and these have been passed on to the FBI. Another case that drew much interest, due to its extraordinary (and horrific) circumstances, was Xavier Dupont - the reboot’s only international story. A tip came in from Chicago, of all places, by someone who had just seen the episode and took a photo of a French-speaking man who matched Dupont’s description. Dupont was wanted in connection to the slaying of his entire family, and his story represents one of the most disturbing stories offered so far in the reboot.
Some might say argue that just because Unsolved Mysteries receives thousands of tips doesn’t necessarily mean that cold cases will be solved. After all, out of all those tips, the majority of them likely won’t amount to anything. But that misses the point – Unsolved Mysteries offers a brand new avenue for those wanting answers, and because of that, the program provides a unique advantage for Netflix: compelling entertainment that actually can affect change.
Source: Variety