According to the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Homicide Cold Case Unit's website, there are about 500 cold cases in Mecklenburg County waiting to be solved. Families of the victims of crime wait every day hoping to get a phone call with new information. These victims are gone but certainly not forgotten.
The Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department's cold case unit is composed of law enforcement officers, detectives and volunteers who diligently work to solve cases that otherwise might not get the attention they deserve. Modern technology has also helped some of these cases see the light of the day with DNA databases and other advancements.
One of the cases in Charlotte, North Carolina that still has many questions and remains unsolved is that of Justin Dillon Ervin. Ervin, a 20-year-old white male, was killed on December 10, 2005, when he and his girlfriend stopped at a gas station on Glenwood Drive in Charlotte. While Justin was in the store, three unknown black males robbed his girlfriend. When Ervin returned to the car, the suspects turned and shot him as he was trying to flee. Two of the suspects ran away on foot while the third suspect left in the victim’s car. The suspect crashed the victim’s car and fled from the scene.
Another one of CMPD’s cold cases is that of Viola Pendergrass, a 79-year-old black female who was found dead in her apartment on Faye Street in Charlotte. A relative found Pendergrass’ body when dropping off a child for Pendergrass to babysit for the day. Detectives suspect robbery may have been a factor in this crime.
If anyone has any information or tips regarding these cases or other Charlotte cold cases, please contact the Cold Case Homicide Squad.
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