COBB COUNTY, Ga. — Cobb County Police detectives in the major crimes unit spoke exclusively with Channel 2 Cobb County Bureau Michele Newell, about homicide cases they investigated in 2024.
Out of 118 homicides in 2024, nearly all are solved.
Throughout the investigations, detectives learned a large number of victims and suspects, were acquainted in some kind of way.
“We have almost a 100% clearance rate, with a lot of our offenders getting life in prison.
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The team effort and the family environment I think goes a long way, to solve our murders,” Detective Daniel Goduto said.
“We’re the voice for that person who is no longer here,” Detective Oscar Escarcega said.
Detectives Daniel Goduto, Oscar Escarcega and Ameerah Hardy-Docier are just some of the men and women working behind the scenes when someone tragically loses their life.
“It’s extremely difficult because you have to tell them your son, your daughter, your husband has been killed,” Goduto said.
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“My longest case was 24 hours. that was the longest I was clocked in for but at the end it was worth it,” Hardy-Docier told Channel 2 Action News.
When detectives walk into the major crimes unit, they see the names of so many victims who have lost their lives, past and present. It’s an often bittersweet moment for detectives when cases are solved because they know a life is still gone.
“It’s a mixed emotion when you look at that board with how many murders we’ve had and how many are solved. It is a good feeling to call a family and say hey the person that killed your daughter, son, husband, wife is in custody,” Goduto said.
“I like the closure that all these families get. I’m just so proud of it and my team,” Hardy-Docier said.
Detectives credit a number of resources available to them whenever they need them.
“Technology-based crimes unit that we can call in,” Goduto said.
“Our VIPER unit was out there assisting us with capturing these individuals,” Escarcega said.
As detectives head into another year not knowing how many homicide scenes they’ll respond to or how many families they’ll break traffic news to, they are focused on what motivates them to do a job that isn’t easy.
“Unfortunately my sister was murdered 13 years ago and it’s an unsolved murder. If I had this teamwork that murder I’m sure it would have been solved because I know how good they are,” Hardy-Docier said.
“That keeps me motivated these victims that can’t speak for themselves we are the justice that has to happen behind the scenes,” Escarcega said.
Detectives said when cases make it to trial, they go to court every day to see it through.
They also credit prosecutors for their role in murder convictions.
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