Photos: The 26 States More Likely Than Colorado to Solve Your Murder

Scripps News recently crunched numbers on unsolved U.S. murders and discovered that the total of 200,000-plus since 1980 actually exceeds the population of Des Moines, Iowa. The data also reveals which states do the best job of solving homicides, and Colorado's ranking is mediocre, with 26 states cracking a higher...

By Michael Roberts

January 22, 2015

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Scripps News recently crunched numbers on unsolved U.S. murders and discovered that the total of 200,000-plus since 1980 actually exceeds the population of Des Moines, Iowa.

The data also reveals which states do the best job of solving homicides, and Colorado's ranking is mediocre, with 26 states cracking a higher percentage of such cases. Count down the photo-illustrated roster below, drawing from Scripps data -- and to see the original post, featuring much more information, click here.

Number 1: Wyoming

Number of murders: 692.00

Number of arrests: 603.00

Rate: 87.10

Number 2: Oklahoma

Number of murders: 9,709.00

Number of arrests: 7,972.00

Rate: 82.10

Number 3: Maine

Number of murders: 1,006.00

Number of arrests: 816.00

Rate: 81.10

Number 4: Idaho

Number of murders: 1,355.00

Number of arrests: 1,088.00

Rate: 80.30

Number 5: North Carolina

Number of murders: 23,875.00

Number of arrests: 19,138.00

Rate: 80.20

Continue to see more states likelier than Colorado to solve your murder. Number 6: Wisconsin

Number of murders: 7,350.00

Number of arrests: 5,831.00

Rate: 79.30

Number 7: Nebraska

Number of murders: 2,198.00

Number of arrests: 1,730.00

Rate: 78.70

Number 8: West Virginia

Number of murders: 3,481.00

Number of arrests: 2,689.00

Rate: 77.20

Number 9: Arkansas

Number of murders: 8,105.00

Number of arrests: 6,247.00

Rate: 77.10

Number 10: Alaska

Number of murders: 1,694.00

Number of arrests: 1,303.00

Rate: 76.90

Continue to see more states likelier than Colorado to solve your murder. Number 11: South Carolina

Number of murders: 13,853.00

Number of arrests: 10,534.00

Rate: 76.00

Number 12: Pennsylvania

Number of murders: 28,833.00

Number of arrests: 21,674.00

Rate: 75.20

Number 13: North Dakota

Number of murders: 378.00

Number of arrests: 278.00

Rate: 73.50

Number 14: Iowa

Number of murders: 2,126.00

Number of arrests: 1,550.00

Rate: 72.90

Number 15: Texas

Number of murders: 70,807.00

Number of arrests: 50,921.00

Rate: 71.90

Continue to see more states likelier than Colorado to solve your murder. Number 16: Utah

Number of murders: 2,291.00

Number of arrests: 1,646.00

Rate: 71.80

Number 17: Missouri

Number of murders: 17,068.00

Number of arrests: 12,197.00

Rate: 71.50

Number 18: Virginia

Number of murders: 18,282.00

Number of arrests: 12,991.00

Rate: 71.10

Number 19: Washington

Number of murders: 8,827.00

Number of arrests: 6,257.00

Rate: 70.90

Number 20: Kentucky

Number of murders: 7,591.00

Number of arrests: 5,187.00

Rate: 68.30

Continue to see more states likelier than Colorado to solve your murder. Number 21: South Dakota

Number of murders: 622.00

Number of arrests: 423.00

Rate: 68.00

Number 22: Connecticut

Number of murders: 5,668.00

Number of arrests: 3,838.00

Rate: 67.70

Number 23 (tie): New Jersey

Number of murders: 16,531.00

Number of arrests: 11,198.00

Rate: 66.70

Number 23 (tie): Mississippi

Number of murders: 7,961.00

Number of arrests: 5,392.00

Rate: 66.70

Number 25: Tennessee

Number of murders: 17,840.00

Number of arrests: 12,033.00

Rate: 67.40

Number 26: Delaware

Number of murders: 1,407.00

Number of arrests: 932.00

Rate: 66.20

Colorado

Number of murders: 7,416.00

Number of arrests: 4,865.00

Rate: 65.60

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Michael Roberts began his career with Westword in 1990 as music editor. In 1999, he took on a new role, full-time media reporter, as author of a column called The Message. In 2008, he became the lead writer for Westword's news blog, The Latest Word, a position he held until January 2023. Michael continues to freelance for Westword, covering everything from business to sports and the media; he also contributes to Jazziz, a national music magazine. He holds a bachelor's degree from what is now Colorado Mesa University and master's degrees from the University of California, Los Angeles, and Northwestern University.

Contact: Michael Roberts

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