Gainesville-based true crime media platform invited to submit for prestigious Clue Awards
Press release from TheColdCases.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. — A rapidly growing independent true crime platform based in North Central Florida has received national recognition. TheColdCases.com, founded and operated by Gainesville resident Dustin Terry, has been invited to submit for consideration in the prestigious Clue Awards.
The invitation places the Gainesville-based media outlet among respected creators and organizations working in the global true crime and investigative storytelling space.
The Clue Awards celebrate excellence in true crime storytelling across podcasts, journalism, documentaries, and digital media. The awards recognize creators who bring attention to unresolved cases, amplify victims’ voices, and contribute to public awareness around crime and justice. Over the years, the event has become an important gathering point for investigators, journalists, authors, filmmakers, and producers working within the mystery and true crime genres.
For a young independent outlet like TheColdCases.com, the invitation represents a major milestone.
“This is a big moment not just for me, but for Gainesville,” said Terry. “TheColdCases.com started as a passion project to give families of cold case victims a platform to tell their stories. Being invited to submit for the Clue Awards shows that people in the industry are noticing the work being done here.”
Founded in February 2025, TheColdCases.com has grown rapidly into a digital hub for long-form investigative storytelling focused on unsolved crimes, missing persons, and newly solved cold cases. The platform publishes in-depth articles, interviews with victims’ families, and investigative content aimed at keeping cases in the public eye.
The site has steadily gained traction online, ranking for hundreds of search keywords and reaching readers across the United States and internationally.
Despite the growing reach, TheColdCases.com remains a one-person operation.
“Right now, it’s just me doing everything,” Terry said. “Writing the articles, conducting interviews, editing, publishing, managing the website, and promoting the stories.”
Terry says his long-term vision is to transform the project into a full investigative media organization.
“My goal is to eventually build this into an investigative media company with reporters, researchers, and producers,” he said. “There are thousands of cold cases across the country where families still don’t have answers. A dedicated investigative team could help shine light on cases that have been forgotten.”
TheColdCases.com is currently built on the publishing platform Substack, which has become a major home for independent journalists and creators. Substack recently expanded its media ecosystem by launching Substack TV, a streaming feature available on devices powered by Apple and Google operating systems.
The addition of Substack TV allows creators to distribute video content directly through television apps and connected devices, opening the door for independent investigative media brands to reach broader audiences through streaming platforms.
Terry believes these technological developments could play a key role in the future of TheColdCases.com.
“The future of investigative journalism is going to involve independent media brands,” Terry said. “Platforms like Substack are making it possible for small creators to build something meaningful without a traditional newsroom.”
Beyond growing the platform, Terry says the mission of TheColdCases.com remains centered on advocacy and awareness.
“Every cold case represents a family still waiting for answers,” he said. “If telling these stories helps generate leads, bring attention to forgotten victims, or keep pressure on investigations, then the work is worth it.”
For Gainesville, the recognition highlights the growing influence of independent creators and digital media entrepreneurs operating outside traditional media centers.
Local readers can follow the work of TheColdCases.com online and learn more about the Clue Awards submission process in the coming months.
“This project started with a simple idea,” Terry said. “Give families a voice and keep cases alive in the public consciousness. Being invited to submit for the Clue Awards shows that even a small operation from Gainesville can make an impact.”