TheColdCases.com interviews mother of murdered Gainesville resident, Arash Nikoonejad
Press release from TheColdCases.com
GAINESVILLE, Fla. – TheColdCases.com, a Gainesville-based investigative true crime publication, has released an exclusive interview with the mother of Arash Nikoonejad, a Gainesville resident who was tragically murdered in 2019. Despite the passage of time, his case continues to reflect deep flaws in how local justice is delivered — and how families are left to grieve in silence while answers remain elusive.
In this emotional interview, Arash’s mother opens up about her son’s life, her heartbreak, and her frustration with how his case was handled. TheColdCases.com sought to document her story as part of its commitment to shedding light on cases that authorities have too often let fade from public view.
“We wanted to give Arash’s mother the chance to be heard,” said Dustin Terry, founder of TheColdCases.com. “Her story isn’t just about the loss of her son — it’s about the lack of closure that too many Gainesville families are forced to live with.”
A Gainesville-Born Project Standing Up for Victims
Founded and operated out of Gainesville, Florida, TheColdCases.com began as a small local initiative and has grown into one of the nation’s fastest-rising independent true crime media projects. Every investigation, interview, and article is fueled by a single goal: to ensure victims are never forgotten, and that families receive the justice they deserve.
In addition to the Nikoonejad case, TheColdCases.com has featured powerful stories and interviews, including:
- David Charles Matte – An unsolved Louisiana homicide, with an interview featuring his sister Lori Matte.
- Cruz Cordova Sr. – A suspected murder (officially ruled suicide) where family members still search for recognition and closure.
TheColdCases.com has also featured interviews with leading figures in true crime and investigative storytelling, such as Maeve McGoran (Shipwreck Podcast), Lidia Jean Kott (The Chinatown Sting, Pushkin Industries), and true crime author Kevin Laws (Hunter of the Damned).
A Call for Accountability in Gainesville
The murder of Arash Nikoonejad in 2019 remains a painful symbol of how slow and fragmented justice can be in Gainesville. The Cold Cases team hopes that renewed public attention — and his mother’s words — will reignite community discussion around the case and motivate greater transparency from local authorities.
“Arash’s story deserves more than silence,” said Terry. “We live in this community. We love this community. And part of loving it means holding it accountable when justice falls short.”
The full interview with Arash’s mother is available now on TheColdCases.com and The Cold Cases Podcast, available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.