When
March 18, 2026, at 4:00 p.m. MST (Arizona)
Troy Hillman
Cold Case Advocate, Author and Consultant
"Unmasking the Past: How Innovation and Tenacity Solved the Zombie Hunter Murders"
Zoom registration
For questions, contact Carla Buldrini
This talk features Troy Hillman as he shares his journey from CPA to police officer and detective. He will offer a behind-the-scenes look at the Cold Case Squad through a business lens before delving into the investigation of the 1992 and 1993 murders that captured national attention.
Learn how his team was built, the critical moments that shaped the case, including the role of the Vidocq Society and pioneering work in genetic genealogy, and how perseverance led to the identification and arrest of the infamous "Zombie Hunter." Hillman will conclude with key lessons learned and an exploration of why cold cases matter.
Bio: Troy Hillman is a retired police sergeant who, in 1997, left his career as a certified public accountant to become a police officer with the Phoenix Police Department. His passion for cold case victims and his determination to pursue the most elusive serial offenders led him to become a detective. Over the course of more than a decade, he served on an elite cold case homicide team that solved hundreds of murders dating back to the 1970's, bringing renewed attention and resolution to long-dormant investigations.
Hillman holds an MBA in finance and a MS in educational leadership. During his law enforcement career, he received extensive specialized training in cold case investigations, digital evidence collection, crime scene management, intelligence gathering, violent crime investigations and was mentored by a nationally recognized criminal profiler. He recently published a true-crime book with Pegasus Crime titled Chasing Down the Zombie Hunter. Hillman also serves as a board member with Silent Witness and volunteers with Parents of Murdered Children as a consultant and advocate, supporting families navigating loss and the criminal justice system.
An avid camper, fisherman and hiker, Hillman lives in the greater Phoenix area with his wife and two daughters.