Jennifer Kesse and her boyfriend, who lived several hours away in south Florida and was cleared early on by authorities, would call each other on the drive to work each morning. He also says that when Campos saw an email that Adam had sent to Jennifer in which Adam told her she looked nice today, Campos grew agitated and asked Adam if he was sexually interested in her. One PI named Michael Torretta found evidence that a witness had seen an unidentified person dumping a rolled-up piece of carpet into a lake not far from where Jennifer lived, but when divers were brought in to search, they could find nothing of interest, another dead end. Theories abound as to what happened, with many suggesting she was killed by a male coworker whose advances she had spurned. Kesse was in love with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, with whom she'd been in a long-distance relationship for the last year. To this day, Jennifer Kesses case remains unsolved and is one of the most mystifying high-profile missing-persons case in American history. Its all me -- my family. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. In October, the CBS show 48 Hours Investigates dug into the case and where it stands. When you find that instant connection with someone, you find a way to make it work.. Anyone who may know something is asked to call the familys tip line, 941-201-4009. It was January 24, 2006. She had seemingly simply evaporated into thin air. The next morning, her boyfriend grew concerned after she didnt call him or send him any text messages. There were no signs of struggle or forced entry. Jennifer Kesse was first reported missing on January 24, 2006. He added that Jenn was always very supportive of his sport and came to every game. She didnt tell me about her shamrock tattoo, Drew said. He was so brokenhearted, Drew said. Just normal relationship things. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance. Wont stop looking for answers. Something was there.. The next morning, when her boyfriend called her office, he was told that Jennifer had not arrived. Jenn was spontaneous and adventurous, Rob said. Its possible that Kessler had intended to steal identities and was looking for women whom she physically resembled. And that is where the mystery starts.. Her parents made the two-hour drive from their home to Jennifers condo, where they found signs that shed recently showered. Im unsure if Kessler had any known connections to Orlando or the areas or places Kesse lived, worked, or frequented. Now, on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, her parents Joyce and Drew claim they are 'moving forward' with the case and have 'great hope' to solve it. Kesse says its a theory he thinks about because whoever took his daughter only took her and not a single item of her personal belongings. Both Kessler (when she was younger and had lighter hair) and Cummings somewhat physically resemble Kesseblonde, attractive, pointier chin, etc. Logan, an avid soccer player, began to hang out with Jenns guy friends, who also played soccer. Her case is still open, and she has not been seen or heard from since 2006. He lived in Fort Lauderdale, and they would visit each other on the weekends. She complained to her parents of leering looks and catcalls and whistling, (which) made her feel very uncomfortable, the private investigator told Van Sant about the construction workers. On her unmade bed was a selection of work clothes. A couple hours later, after shed failed to appear for an important meeting at work, her employers contacted her parents, who hadnt heard from her, either. After the litigation, Orland Police relinquished 16,000 pages into the hands of the family who are now lead investigators. We were there for my roommates trade show, and it was also just a fun single boys weekend, you know? If we can just find that, it might be the key we need to move forward and get to the bottom of where Jenn is and what happened to her.. Over the years, a GoFundMe page has raised more than $100,000 to help bring them closure. We had a hit, Drew said. Until the day I die. Theres really nothing Jenn wouldnt tell us.. We feel like she got ready to go to work, Jenns mother, Joyce Kesse, told Dateline in a 2006 interview, just 100 days after her daughter was reported missing. This post is really different from what I usually write up, and Im a little worried Ill get roasted for it, but Im eager to hear what you all think. And I have the hope that Ill hear it again.. Three and four hours would pass, and wed still be talking.. The only things missing were her car, purse, keys, and cell phone, and by all appearances it seemed as if she had stepped out for work as usual, so why hadnt anyone heard from her and why hadnt she shown up to work? ORLANDO, Fla. - It has been 15 years since the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse and there are still few clues about what happened to her on the day she . Stars Veronica Burgos John Hardy Andrew Kerr See production, box office & company info Cummings is still considered a missing person, and she hasnt been seen or heard from since her disappearance. One of Jenns friends found out she was pregnant just after Jenn vanished. Rob told Dateline that Jenn always contacted him in some way, by calling him or texting him, before she left for work but not that day. While there isnt any evidence that Kessler and Kesse ever met, I do have a few questions Id like to have answered: Have investigators ever looked at Kessler as a possible person of interest in the Kesse case? The best they could tell is that they were shortsomewhere between 53 and 55. A police search was launched after she failed to turn up for work as a finance manager at Central Florida Investments. A private investigation team for the family is on the case. Drew Kesse has been vocal about what they feel have been missteps by Orlando police in the investigation. The next day, when they still couldnt locate her, her mother called police. It's been more than 15 years since she was last. While Kessler had used stolen identities for years before her arrest, the identities she had used were reportedly taken from grave stones and were not from any other known living or missing people. The Disappearance of Joleen CummingsOn Monday, May 14, 2018, the mother of Joleen Cummings, 34, reported her missing. But because they are retired, they dont have the power to make an arrest. More Controversy on the Roswell Affair: An Alien Accident? 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She placed calls to her family, friends, and finally her boyfriendwho lived two hours awayat approximately 10PM. A damp hand towel draped over the side of the sink. When I reflect back to that time, I feel numb.. Kessler had been known to work construction jobs. Shortly after she vanished, Kesse's car was discovered parked around a mile from her home. They told us it was an active case. Im forever grateful for that last conversation I had with Jenn, Joyce said. Well find it somewhere.'. Its tedious work, its going to be long and hard but were at the point now where we can see where we can move ahead and we have moved ahead. They hopped in the car with their son and drove to her condo. During an ensuing investigation, it was discovered that Kessler had used at least 18 different aliases and had lived in at least 33 cities in 14 different states. Police interviewed an ex-boyfriend of Jennifers who was openly distraught over their breakup, wanted to get back together again, and was reportedly upset that shed just vacationed with a new beau. In November 2019, investigators spent days searching Lake Fischer after a new tip came forward. That person is the key, Torretta said. In speaking with Floridas Fourth Estate last year, Kesses father revealed a theory that his daughter may have been taken by human sex traffickers. ORLANDO, Fla. Seventeen years ago, Jennifer Kesse disappeared in Orlando in a high-profile case that made national news. I had to stay and find my sister.. Kessler spent a lot of time in many Florida cities, including Oviedo, which is basically a suburb of Orlando, where Kesse lived. Monday marks 16 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared. Her defense teams forensic psychologist believes she has personality disorders and delusional disorders and is not competent to stand trial. . By subscribing, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Statement. The family took over the investigation in 2017 after they successfully sued Orlando Police for Kesse's cold case files which they said were 'gathering dust', with no new information filed since 2010. Its notable that despite the fact that an unknown mans sweater was found in her laundry hamper, her condo was never treated as a possible crime scene. She Was Never Seen Again. 1 min read. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. She was always, you know, a big sister and I know for a long time, I was the annoying younger brother, but as we got older, we grew closer, just naturally, Logan told Dateline. ORLANDO, Fla. Where is Jennifer Kesse? Some brand new details and information was revealed during the episode and it wasn't just a rehash of old information. Wright would uncover a new lead in the case when he learned from another resident at the condo that the man on the surveillance footage resembled a man she knew from the complex, a former maintenance worker there known simply as Chino, who had also just happened to have done some repairs in Jennifer's condo one week before she disappeared. And she was in a committed relationship with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, who lived in Ft. Lauderdale. Tracy Ocasio was 27 years old when she disappeared in 2009. "So we will fight tooth and nail and yell from the mountain tops until someone hears us and FINALLY acts," Drew added. Eventually she was indicted on a first-degree premeditated murder charge for the death of Cummings. "We paid the price, in full, upfront," father Drew Kesse wrote. Two days after Jennifer disappeared, someone who lived in an apartment complex a little over a mile from Jennifers condo noticed that a car parked outside their building resembled Jennifers 2004 black Chevy Malibu as had been shown on the news. If stealing identities wasnt what Kessler was doing, some reports suggested shed lashed out at Cummings because she was jealous of her. But I'd imagine that, as women aren't very well-represented as construction laborers, people would remember hiring a woman. Published: 8:55 AM EST January 24, 2023 Updated: 6:13 PM EST January 24, 2023 ORLANDO, Fla. Where is Jennifer Kesse? The comments below have not been moderated, By Her family reported her disappearance to police, but they initially thought shed left on her own. After that, I believe she was abducted. "As we read the files, the detectives on the scene say to the crime scene technicians, it . They tried to contact Jenn, and around 11 a.m. when she still could not be reached, her employer -- who knew Jenns father -- decided to call her parents. Investigator Torretta told Dateline he wants another chance to search the lake because a clue from Jenns apartment complex could be submerged beneath the surface -- the old carpet being torn from the condo across the hall. Police were informed within two hours. But I knew I had nothing to hide. The tiniest bone. CBS learned renovations were happening at the Orlando apartment complex where Kesse lived around the time of her disappearance. I know that as the boyfriend, Im prime suspect number one, Rob said. Even though FBI and NASA assisted in investigating the photos, they were unable to even determine the persons gender. However, it had been reported by some local news sources early in the case that Kessler was jealous of Cummings. When you opt in, not only do you get our curated list of the best horror streaming and stories, you support our work and help us keep the lights on. According to private investigator Torretta, the person without a face is a person of interest and the main focus of his investigation. Shannon joined the Eyewitness News team in 2013. Sybert was charged with grand theft auto for taking Cummings vehicle and booked in jail. According to CBS News, they had a disagreement on the phone with the long distance part of their relationship taking its toll. Detectives checked for activity on her ATM card and pinged her cell phone. Jennifer Kesse disappeared on Jan. 24, 2006. Shed last seen her daughter on July 4, 2004 in Butler, Pennsylvaniaeight years before reporting her missing. But that day, Robs calls and texts to Jenn went unanswered. After another day had passed with still no sign of her, Jennifer Kesse was listed as officially missing, and the following day her abandoned car was located in the parking lot of the Huntington on the Green apartment complex at Americana and Texas, less than a mile from her residence, where residents claimed it had been parked there for several days. The day after Jennifers disappearance, Campos and a coworker named Adam were talking about the case. Jenns brother Logan was scheduled to move to California to be with his girlfriend just a week after Jenn disappeared. She worked as a financial analyst for Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company and had been promoted twice within a year. Both vehicles were reportedly wiped down inside before being abandoned. (Drew Kesse) In the files, investigators suspected a struggle on the hood of Kesse's car when they discovered the vehicle. Jenns family told Dateline their frustration with how local authorities handled her case grew over the years and in 2018, they decided to take the investigation into their own hands. Deputies from the Orange County Sheriffs Department were called to the scene, but after deploying a dive team and cadaver dogs over a three-day search, the sheriff's office confirmed to Dateline they came up empty handed. The 24-year-old intelligent, adventurous spirit, who always wore a smile, had a bright future ahead of her. Jenns parents also stayed at the condo, for months, in an effort to make a statement that finding their daughter was the number one priority. Since our agreement to produce the documents in this matter, we have worked closely with their counsel and have turned over thousands of pages of documents and hours of recordings for their independent team to review and investigate. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. A few days later, on January 26, 2006, came the first big break in the case. It was a double whammy, losing Jenn and then losing my father, Rob told Dateline. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Wright's theory was that Kesse was abducted. According to awebsite set up by her family, the 24-year-old Kesse had just spent a long weekend in St Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands with her boyfriend Rob Allen and a group of friends. Kesse appeared to have disappeared after leaving her home around 7.30am. Monday marks 16 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared. And it puts life in perspective. Torretta spoke to her and said she told him she saw a man drive a pickup truck to the lake that Tuesday in 2006, take out what appeared to be a six to eight-foot piece of rolled-up carpet and dump it in the lake, watching it sink. As of this posing, the judge in the case has not made a ruling. The Nassau County sheriff filed an emergency petition requesting the ability to administer medical care and force feed Kessler, who had dropped from 196 to 74 pounds since she was jailed in 2018. She had a stable job working as a finance manager for Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company in Ocoee, Florida and was the proud new owner of a condo in nearby Orlando. It was odd that she hadnt called me back, Rob said. The family has continued to pursue the case through private investigators, who have turned up some potential new clues. The Orlando Police Department originally investigated the case. Privacy Policy. Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. On November 8, 2019, for the first time in years, there was a second possible break in the case. Example video title will go here for this video. If she knew she would be five minutes late for work, she would call them thats just who she is.. The missing woman's parents, Joyce and Drew Kesse, have never given up searching for her and continually update their websiteFindjenniferkesse.comand Facebook page. I believe Kessler physically could match the glimpse of the suspect we get in the Kesse surveillance video, but the video is of terrible quality and the persons face is obscured, so a lot of people could match that basic physical description, especially dressed in a similar outfit. When she uncharacteristically didnt show up for work, her employer called her parents and they immediately left their Tampa home and drove toward her apartment. Kesses family members told Eyewitness News that in 2022, they hired a new team and said that they were working on several leads in her disappearance. Kessler was known to drive a motorcycle and work construction jobs, two suggested possible traits of the person who may have been involved in Kesses disappearance. We dont know about what or how reporters knew that. No one has identified this POI parking Jennifer's car, and Jennifer has never been found. On left, Jennifer before her disappearance. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at Millenia. Always in contact with each other, Jenns father, Drew Kesse, told Dateline. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. Her condo complex was undergoing a renovation, and many of the workers had been living in the empty condos. Police Found A Missing Womans Car Abandoned With The Door Open. We kept in touch and it just blossomed from there.. I wanted to just sit there and wait for her to come back. And made it as far as her car. The investigation into the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse more than 16 years ago has been given to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for a cold case review. It was about 10 p.m. Monday when they spoke, Rob told Dateline. On every level, Jenns case has been a challenge, Drew told Dateline. He also expressed more frustration with the Orlando Police Department. She was the oldest of two children, and is said to have been best friends with her little brother, Logan. The only thing police can determine for sure is that the suspect was between 53 and 55 inches tall. Her purse, keys, cell phone, and iPod, which family members said she always kept with her, were missing. Thomas Mates produces News 6 at 5:30 and the podcast Florida Foodie. When viewing surveillance videos, investigators spot an unidentified person parking Jennifer's car at 12pm on the day Jennifer went missing. They gave two managers permission to go inside her condo to check for anything unusual. The Mystery of New York's Renegade Subway Psychic, Forget About What We Know About Roswell: It's What's Missing About the Case That We Need to Look For, Archeologists Discover Another Secret Corridor Inside the Great Pyramid of Giza, UFO Whistleblowers: When Secrets are Revealed. Rob told Dateline he talked to Jenn multiple times a day, sometimes for hours at a time. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. Wright was reassigned in 2010; and Florida formally declared Kesse dead in 2016, despite never finding her body. She never arrived. In an open letter to their daughter on the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, the Kesses said they remain 'relentless' in their pursuit of answers. Drew and Joyce took legal action against the Orlando Police Department in order to gain access to Jenns case files. Signing up helps us (not Zuckerberg) stay in direct contact with you and create the best horror website possible. But after a thorough interrogation, police decided he had nothing to do with her disappearance. Something wasnt right. If shes not alive, we just want some kind of proof that shes not with us anymore. But I have this gut feeling that one of those workers knows something.. There simply isnt any physical or other direct evidence putting Kessler at the scene. , updated The reason that some people suspect one or more of the construction workers is the fact that the sniffer dog had traced the person who dropped off her car right back to her building.