Project Justice’ aids nationwide cold case resolutions
OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
3:45 PM – Monday, February 26, 2024
Project Justice: Solving Decades-Old Cold Cases
Based out of Las Vegas, Nevada, Project Justice is revolutionizing the way cold cases are solved by utilizing cutting-edge DNA technologies.
Founded by Vegas tech mogul Justin Woo and his wife Lydia Ansel, a DJ/Electric Violinist, this nonprofit organization started as the “Vegas Justice League,” collaborating with local law enforcement to crack cold cases.
Project Justice raises funds for Othram, a forensics lab specializing in genetic genealogy to solve unsolved murders, disappearances, and identify unidentified victims.
Their first breakthrough came in 2021 when their funding helped solve the 32-year-old murder of Stephanie Isaacson, a Vegas native who went missing in 1989.
Despite having only a tiny amount of DNA as evidence, the case was considered practically unsolvable. However, Project Justice’s support led to the successful resolution.
“They had tried solving it a few times but the technology hadn’t caught up with the processes,” Ansel said. “Every time you use the DNA to test it, it actually consumes the DNA so there was very, very, very little left… about 0.12 nanograms.”
Project Justice’s breakthrough was achieved with the smallest amount of DNA ever used to solve a case.
“Just to give you a quantification of how much that is,” Woo said, “if you were to do a ’23andMe’ or consumer swab you’d get about 750-1,000 nanograms of data.”
After witnessing the impact they could make, Woo and Ansel expanded their nonprofit to Project Justice, helping law enforcement nationwide and solving 26 cases in the past year, with 100 more currently under evaluation.
“Just seeing how much of an impact we could make simply by funding these cases, the technologies out there, people need the help, people want the answers and it’s just pushed us forward to continue doing it,” said Ansel.
Project Justice’s efforts also bring communities together and make donors feel like they played a part in solving the cases. Woo and Ansel even requested donations to cold cases instead of wedding gifts, resulting in the resolution of two murders.
“It was nice to be able to send an email out to all of the people that donated saying they helped solve two murder cases in Las Vegas,” said Woo.
If you’d like to support or donate to Project Justice, visit ProjectJustice.com
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What impact has Project Justice had on other organizations and individuals in the pursuit of solving cold cases
Their hard-earned money to say, ‘Hey, guess what? We helped solve this case,'” said Woo. “It really brings everyone together.”
In addition to funding, Project Justice also provides training and resources to law enforcement agencies, helping them navigate the complexities of genetic genealogy and DNA analysis. They work closely with Othram and other experts in the field to ensure the highest level of accuracy and success in solving cold cases.
Project Justice’s success has inspired other organizations and individuals to follow suit. Their groundbreaking work in utilizing cutting-edge technologies to solve cold cases has received recognition and support from both the law enforcement community and the public.
As the demand for justice continues to grow, Project Justice is committed to expanding their reach and impact. They aim to provide assistance to law enforcement agencies across the country and solve even more cold cases in the future.
“There are so many families out there who have been waiting for answers for years, even decades,” said Ansel. “Our mission is to bring them the closure and justice they deserve.”
With their innovative approach and dedication to justice, Project Justice is truly making a difference in the lives of those affected by cold cases. By harnessing the power of DNA and genetic genealogy, they are bringing hope and closure to families and communities that have long yearned for answers.
About Taylor Tinsley
Taylor Tinsley is a journalist and reporter for OAN News. With a passion for showcasing impactful stories, Tinsley has covered various topics ranging from social justice to scientific breakthroughs. Through her writing, she aims to inform and inspire readers to think critically about the world around them.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
