32 MONTEREY COUNTY WEEKLY JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2025 www.montereycountynow.com FACE TO FACE It might sound like part of the plot of a mystery novel, but it’s a true story. Ann Kern of Monterey, who has a fondness for crime shows and books, was reading a Michael Connelly detective novel. A character volunteered with the fictional cold case task force. And Kern, who was thinking about spending part of her retirement volunteering in the criminal justice system, decided to pull a page out of the book: She reached out to the Monterey County District Attorney’s Office Cold Case Task Force. She became the group’s first and only volunteer, working alongside sworn officers to revisit unsolved cases. They work with local law enforcement agencies and private labs, largely focused on analyzing DNA; evidence collected at a crime scene decades ago might suddenly tell a useful story, thanks to technological advances. Recently, the group helped identify the remains of Jeffrey Hulliger, a fisherman who capsized and was lost at sea for 24 years. They helped identify a suspect for the 1982 murder of 5-yearold Anne Pham, and the killer pleaded guilty in 2025. To aid in funding these types of cases, Kern helped launch a nonprofit, the Cold Case Project of Monterey County, in 2025. She retired in 2022 after a career that began in nursing and led to health care administration. Now she volunteers at the DA’s office, and also serves as president of the Cold Case Project, hoping to make a dent in the county’s 600-plus unsolved homicides. Weekly: From health care to working on cold cases seems like an unusual trajectory. Kern: Nursing has always been a wonderful career for me; I have been able to stay close to the patients and their families. One of the things that nurses do is advocate, and that sense of advocacy has a strong line through the work I am doing now. When we were going through the pandemic I was thinking about what I want to do when I retire. Like many people I was just fascinated by mysteries and forensics. I also had a soft spot for the Innocence Project, and thought maybe I can volunteer for them. So I enrolled in a paralegal program. You thought about volunteering at the Innocence Project and found yourself volunteering with prosecutors. Did that challenge your ideas about how you wanted to engage in the criminal justice system? It’s still just pursuing truth. The evidence is the evidence. We’ve got to do the hard work and the good work just moving toward the truth. When we submit DNA, we don’t know what is going to come back. What’s your experience like in the Task Force? It’s been a tremendous learning experience. It’s really different coming from medicine, where if we have a sick patient, we do an assessment and there are no real boundaries. In the law, it’s really different; you don’t get to make up your own, “Why did they murder?” It’s not free-flowing—we are working within, “Under what statute are we going to be able to bring this evidence?” As the only volunteer in the Task Force, what are your roles? When we give a blood sample that goes into CODIS [a national DNA database], there may not be a hit at the moment—it may hit later, much later. We get a ping from the DOJ and I make sure individual departments are staying current on hits. I also put together evidence binders for court. And I provide snacks. Is it true that cops prefer donuts? No, they actually like some healthy snacks. Why start the nonprofit? Advances in technology are moving quickly; it’s a very exciting field to be in. We just wish it was a little less expensive. Now that we’ve had success, we are asking for donations. I am just very passionate about the work we do. I think about: What if we never had another 40-year-old case? How much crime could we stop in our community if we got the suspect 20 years earlier? That’s a lofty goal, but worth having—to shorten the timeline for what we consider a cold case. You also served on the Monterey County Civil Grand Jury. I wanted to learn what makes our county tick and see how I could be a good steward. What makes our county tick? I was very positively impressed by county departments. Yes, there is room for improvement but we have some really hardworking individuals. You seem quite busy for a retiree. I finally had to come to grips with the fact that I only have one speed: high speed. Detective Work After retiring from a career in health care, Ann Kern started helping solve cold cases. By Sara Rubin Ann Kern volunteers on the Cold Case Task Force. She feels a sense of urgency to get cases solved as some evidence degrades and witnesses age. “You’re working against time, both for elements on your evidence, and your witnesses,” she says. DANIEL DREIFUSS MACHO & NACHO At 8 years old, these bonded brothers have mastered the art of quiet companionship. Adopted together as kittens, they’ve only known one loving home—until now. Their guardian is moving overseas, and Macho and Nacho need a soft landing. They’re indoor-only, well-mannered, and enjoy the company of people. They’re two sweet, steady souls ready to bring warmth and calm to your life. Looking for love that’s low-key and loyal? These boys are ready. Learn more at www.gocatrescue.org and fill out an adoption form while you are there! Would you like to sponsor our next ad? Please call us at 831-200-9232 or email info@gocatrescue.org 831.200.9232 PO Box 683 Monterey, CA 93942 www.gocatrescue.org Lavender Want to meet Lavender? Please fill out our online adoption questionnaire. Things to love: approx. 13 years old - 10 lbs - female - Rat Terrier mix She is a sweet, gentle soul who loves slow strolls, cozy naps, and friendly greetings with other pups. She’s easygoing, affectionate, and sleeps soundly in her bed or open crate. With just a few healthy teeth, she enjoys soft meals and soft moments. She is ready for her forever home! If you’d like sponsor our next ad, give us a call. 831-718-9122 | www.POMDR.org P.O. Box 51554, Pacific Grove, CA 93950 Ad Sponsored by Judy LeRoy in Memory of Lasso
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