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United States Paul Holes is a renowned cold case investigator who has transitioned into an advocate for mental health within law enforcement, sharing his expertise and experience with a focus on trauma and recovery.
Paul Holes has partnered with Wholehearted.org to share his personal story through a one-hour special called 'Unmasked,' focusing on the real cost of working in law enforcement. His collaboration helps shape public conversations around trauma, accountability, and the psychological impact within law enforcement, aiming to reduce stigma and foster deeper understanding.
Paul Holes co-hosted "The Murder Squad" podcast, a production of Exactly Right, a podcast network created by Karen Kilgariff and Georgia Hardstark. In September 2022, he also started the true crime podcast "Buried Bones" on the Exactly Right Network with journalist Kate Winkler Dawson.
Paul Holes gained public attention through his appearances on the "My Favorite Murder" podcast, where he discussed his investigation into the Golden State Killer case.
Paul Holes is associated with Audible as an author for his audiobooks, including his memoir "Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases," and as narrator for "Evil Has a Name" and "A Devil in the Valley."
Celadon Books published Paul Holes' bestselling memoir "Unmasked: My Life Solving America's Cold Cases."
Paul Holes is listed as a speaker with UTA Speakers, recognized for his expertise as a retired investigator and his pivotal role in cold cases like the Golden State Killer.
Othram, a forensic genealogy lab, appointed Paul Holes as a Forensic Investigator, leveraging his advocacy for DNA technology in solving cold cases.
Paul Holes serves on the board of Cover Now, a nonprofit organization that supports law enforcement officers and their families through crises and recovery.
Paul Holes was born on March 15, 1968, at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. His early life involved frequent family moves due to his father’s career in the United States Air Force. He pursued higher education at the University of California, Davis, where he earned a Bachelor of Science in biochemistry between 1986 and 1990. His interest in forensic investigation was sparked in childhood by the television series “Quincy, M.E.”
Holes began his distinguished career in law enforcement in 1994, when he was sworn in as an investigator for the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office in Martinez, California. During his 27-year tenure, Holes specialized in cold cases and serial predator crimes. A significant career milestone occurred when he first encountered the cold case files of the East Area Rapist (EAR) in 1994. His persistent dedication to this case, including reviewing files between other active investigations, eventually led to a crucial DNA breakthrough in 2001 that connected the EAR to the Original Night Stalker (ONS) murders. He played a critical role in the identification of Joseph James DeAngelo, known as the Golden State Killer, utilizing advanced DNA and genealogical technology, culminating in DeAngelo’s arrest in April 2018, shortly after Holes’ retirement from the Sheriff’s Office.
Following his retirement in March 2018, Holes has continued to contribute to public discourse on true crime and law enforcement. He has written and acted, notably in “A Devil in the Valley” (2021) and “Evil Has a Name” (2018), and executive produced “The DNA of Murder with Paul Holes” (2019). He co-hosted “The Murder Squad” podcast (2019) and later launched “Buried Bones” (2022) with journalist Kate Winkler Dawson. Holes is also a bestselling author, with his memoir “Unmasked: My Life Solving America’s Cold Cases” published in 2022. Beyond direct investigative work, he has become a vocal advocate for mental health support within law enforcement, actively working with organizations such as Wholehearted.org and Cover Now to address the psychological impact of working in violent crime.
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