Valentine’s Day is supposed to be about love—roses, chocolates, candlelit dinners. But for true crime enthusiasts like us, February 14th also carries a darker history, one stained with violence and loss. While most people are celebrating romance, others are marking anniversaries of heartbreak, not from lost love, but from crimes so shocking they remain etched in history.

One of the most infamous crimes tied to this day is the Valentine’s Day Massacre of 1929. Al Capone’s ruthless orchestration of the execution-style killing of seven men in a Chicago garage is the kind of story that cements itself in true crime lore. I had the opportunity to dive deep into this case as part of History’s Greatest Mysteries with Laurence Fishburne, which aired last night on the History Channel. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend checking it out—here’s the link: History’s Greatest Mysteries – Valentine’s Day Massacre.

But history isn’t just about events from a century ago. For some, Valentine’s Day isn’t just a chapter in a crime book—it’s a yearly reminder of personal tragedy.

A bomb had been placed under his undercover police car, detonating the moment he turned the key in the ignition. What should have been just another workday turned into a nightmare for his family. The murder was as brutal as it was personal, and while there is a prime suspect—a fellow officer—justice has never been served.

The Wustenhoff family has fought tirelessly for answers, refusing to let Dennis’s case fade into the background. His daughters, Melissa and Jennifer, have kept his story alive through advocacy, a Facebook group, and a growing network of people determined to see justice done. If you’d like to learn more, I encourage you to watch these videos, where I had the honor of discussing Dennis’s case and the ongoing push for justice:

🔗 Profiling Evil: The Murder of Dennis Wustenhoff

🔗 Justice for Dennis Wustenhoff

For most, Valentine’s Day is about love. For some, it’s a reminder of loss. And for the true crime community, it’s a call to remember the victims, to keep their stories alive, and to push for justice where it has been denied.

Please join me in sending your best wishes to the Wustenhoff family as they approach another painful anniversary. Let them know they are not alone by supporting their fight for justice: Justice for Dennis Wustenhoff Facebook Group.

This Valentine’s Day, let’s remember the victims and the families still waiting for justice. Let’s honor love, not just in the way we celebrate, but in the way we stand by those who need it most.