But because they are retired, they dont have the power to make an arrest. On her unmade bed was a selection of work clothes. They believed shed been living out of her vehicle and parking at different locations around the area. Her disappearance continues to grab national attention. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. We hear you like all things creepy we do too. Was Jennifer Kesse Found? 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. By subscribing, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Statement. We, her family Drew, Joyce, and Logan, and friends believe she was taken the morning of Tuesday, January 24, 2006, from in or around her Orlando, Florida home. Example video title will go here for this video. They won their case and have since hired a private investigator in hopes of cracking the case on their own. ', He urged people in the know to get in touch and said: 'If you know where Jennifer is and the information is real name your price, go ahead. This man was interviewed, and at the time he was in prison doing charges for statutory rape, but he adamantly denied having had anything to do with the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse, and further passed a polygraph test, so along with the poor quality footage, he was never pursued as a suspect. Jennifer had repeatedly told her family that many of the workers repeatedly sexually harassed and catcalled her. It had been a long day, coming back from the Caribbean, and we were both tired, Rob said. When she went off to school at UCF, Logan visited on weekends just in time for the college parties. From surveillance cameras, the authorities were able to see that someone, who was not Jennifer, had calmly driven her car and left it exactly where it was found at around noon on January 24. Im not sure how much credibility this theory has, but its intriguing to consider, especially with the lack of solid evidence in the Kesse case. Learn about careers at Cox Media Group. She was last seen leaving work at around 6:30PM. In 2019, the family won their legal battle and received more than 14,000 pages of electronic files and hours of video from the Orlando Police Department. But despite extensive searches, few clues to her alleged abduction have ever been found. He gave his life searching for her as much as we did. Her family still had no answers, and their frustrations were mounting. And that is where the mystery starts.. Just normal relationship things. 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.. The 24-year-old simply vanished and no one has ever been arrested.. To submit a tip or to join the conversation, visit the Help Find Missing Jennifer Kesse Facebook page or www.jenniferkesse.com. 9. 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? 3. They made fliers and distributed them around the area, pleading for answers. The case centers on Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared on January 24, 2006, when she didn't show up for work. Jennifer Kesse was 24 at the time of her disappearance and by all accounts was a successful young woman. She chatted to her parents, brother, boyfriend and some friends on the phone at home that evening. Kesse is one of three high-profile, unsolved missing person cases involving women who vanished from the Orlando area between 2006 and 2011. The family of a woman who went missing in Florida 15-years-ago this month hope to finally solve the case this year after raising more than $80,000 to pay for private investigations. A spokesperson sent the following statement: "The Orlando Police Department remains committed to finding the answers to the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse. Logan moved away from the area with his wife and children, but told Dateline he will never stop looking for his sister. In January of 2006, Jennifer took a trip with Allen to St. Croix, a Caribbean Island in the Virgin Islands chain for a romantic getaway. I wont stop looking for her, Logan said. When viewing surveillance videos, investigators spot an unidentified person parking Jennifer's car at 12pm on the day Jennifer went missing. Three years later, a former housekeeper reportedly told Wright the guy in the security camera image sort of looked like a guy named Chino, a former maintenance worker at Kesse's condo complex. That said, it's also possible she posed as a construction worker to have access to the building or find a temporary place to stay (as several of the workers were said to have been squatting in the building).Let me know what you think about this theory. 48 Hours correspondent Peter Van Sant spoke to Drew and Joyce Kesse, Jennifers parents, and the investigator they hired. Jennifer's case was recently profiled on the Oxygen series Up & Vanished series. The family went to their daughter's new condo and said it appeared 'normal' - clean and with everything in place. No clues were ultimately found. Jennifer Kesse was 24-years-old when she was last seen in January 2006 after leaving her Orlando condo. Rob tried to call Jenn as he rushed to work, but got her voicemail, which he thought was odd. 15 years since Jennifer Kesse went missing, the familys investigating what happened to her and hope to have answers this year, Fundraiser by Drew Kesse : Help Us Find Jennifer Kesse. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. 2010 The Thought & Expression Company, LLC. In fact, she'd just moved. Its all me -- my family. She had complained of inappropriate remarks and catcalls from them, and it was also found that she had been approached by a manager where she worked, who she had turned away, but questioning of these potential suspects turned up no evidence of wrongdoing. Investigators interviewed a coworker of Jennifers named Johnny Campos but concluded he was not guilty. You dont., Its like Groundhog Day every day, yet, life moves on for everyone else, Joyce said. Surveillance video showed somebody parking Kesse's car there, but the person's face was blocked by a fence post. Police attempted to interview many of the 100 or so construction workers but turned up no leads. Van Sant says its believed they were day workers or perhaps even been undocumented workers who disappeared after Kesse vanished. I got married and had kids, I had to keep going.. We just want to know where she is, what happened to her, before its too late for us.. She worked as a financial analyst for Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company and had been promoted twice within a year. Jennifer Kesse's family bore witness to another dismal milestone in Florida this week as the recurring date of her disappearance marked 12 years. 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. On every level, Jenns case has been a challenge, Drew told Dateline. Shes the most responsible person I know. After that, I believe she was abducted. Will we ever know what really happened? Investigators will interview people Kesses law enforcement team has already identified as possible suspects or people who may have valuable information. The parents of Jennifer Kesse say they are "closer than ever" to uncovering answers in the disappearance of their. Jennifer Kesse was first reported missing on January 24, 2006. 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. They gave two managers permission to go inside her condo to check for anything unusual. 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. The Disappearance of Joleen CummingsOn Monday, May 14, 2018, the mother of Joleen Cummings, 34, reported her missing. And this was the last contact she was to have with anyone who knew her. In fact, makeup on the counter and a wet shower seemed to indicate she'd just recently been there. Over the past 15 years, Orlando police and Kesses family have worked to exhaust every lead. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. For 14 years, Jenns family has not given up their search for her. But I knew I had nothing to hide. They told us, Oh, shes an adult, she had a fight with her boyfriend, shell be back, and they left, Drew said. Well find it somewhere.'. A wet towel convinced them that Kesse had slept in her apartment, gotten up and showered in the morning, and then disappeared. Her family reported her disappearance to police, but they initially thought shed left on her own. "We wont be put to the side by anyone. Weve created a community powered by horror fans like you and we need you in it. 16:19 EST 25 Jan 2021. Her parents went ahead and moved into her condo, so they could help with the investigation. Investigators believe that the person is between 53 and 55 tall and was wearing clothing that appeared to be similar to coveralls worn by painters or construction workers. Theories abound as to what happened, with many suggesting she was killed by a male coworker whose advances she had spurned. It still has for my parents, Logan said. And it puts life in perspective. "As we read the files, the detectives on the scene say to the crime scene technicians, it . To me, 14 years ago with my Jenn seems like yesterday, Joyce said. Jenns father Drew told Dateline the footage proved to be frustrating because the camera was programmed to take pictures every three seconds and unfortunately, in each frame, the suspects face was obstructed by a gate post. Always in contact with each other, Jenns father, Drew Kesse, told Dateline. But were doing the handwork now and were moving forward. Jennifer Kesse, a UCF graduate, was abducted from Orlando, Florida in 2006. Her bed was unmade and there was a wet towel and water droplets still covering the shower. A damp hand towel draped over the side of the sink. She didnt tell me about her shamrock tattoo, Drew said. Days after recent graduate Jennifer Kesse goes missing, her car is found abandoned near her home. Dailymail.com Reporter, Have you seen Jennifer? A coworker named Adam said that a few days before Jennifer disappeared, Campos was upset she was dating her boyfriend rather than Campos. You know that feeling, when you dont want to get off the phone because you enjoy talking to the person so much? Rob said. Surveillance video captured someone driving her car . We needed the files for answers, Logan said. Jennifer Kesse, of Orlando, who went missing Jan. 24, 2006, at 24 years old. I overslept, which is pretty normal, Jenn always got up earlier than I did anyway, and so she would always call and wake me up or at least text me, Rob said. Joyce now measures the years her daughter has been missing to the milestones of that teenager. Every Friday, we send out an email with the scariest horror movies and TV shows streaming that weekend along with creepy news, updates from the horror movie pipeline, and links to the best scary content on the web. 5. She had seemingly simply evaporated into thin air. I had to stay and find my sister.. We only haunt the willing. There were a few times, Jenn told me, that the workers would just stop and stare at her, Joyce told Dateline. During that presser they also announced that Jennifer Sybert was actually named Kimberly Kessler; she had been living under a fake name and using a fake Social Security number. When they reached their 20s, their bond grew and their social circles merged. One of the Strangest Mysteries in the History of NASA: Conspiracy or Complete Garbage? But that day, Robs calls and texts to Jenn went unanswered. If shes not alive, we just want some kind of proof that shes not with us anymore. (And, as a commenter mentioned in my recent post about the missing/murdered Krnak family, most cases are built on circumstantial evidence.). No one.". Family members and friends began the search immediately. En route, they called her building manager and asked him to check her apartment. Jenn left Robs place in Ft. Lauderdale in the early hours of Monday, January 23, 2006. Investigators found Kesses car at Huntington on the Green Condominiums, about a mile from her home. Her co-worker Jennifer Sybert was the last person known to have seen Cummings before she and her vehicle disappeared. 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. The then 24-year-old had recently been promoted at work. Mr Kesse said they family have been 'fighting through these files' for the last 22 months, receiving new files two weeks ago. Theres really nothing Jenn wouldnt tell us.. This is going to be a long post. Instead of moving, Logan traveled back and forth between Florida and California, and got his real estate license. Jennifer Kesse was last seen leaving work in Orlando, Florida on January 23, 2006. Incompetency at its best. It's been more than 15 years since she was last. For more information, please see our We were a close-knit family. [TRENDING: Florida debuts new vaccine hotline | Merritt Island-bound plane found in ocean | Titusville man accused of killing mother]. Police questioned residents at the apartment complex, but could find no one who remembered seeing anything out of the ordinary or even seeing Jennifer arrive there at all. Surveillance images showed a person dropping off her car and walking away at around 12 noon on January 24, about four hours after Jennifer would have been abducted while leaving her apartment for work. Until the day I die. On November 8, 2019, for the first time in years, there was a second possible break in the case. We dont know anything. They talked about shipping the phone back to his friend. She was the oldest of two children, and is said to have been best friends with her little brother, Logan. The next morning, when her boyfriend called her office, he was told that Jennifer had not arrived. The Orange County Sheriff's Office is following up on a new tip in the Jennifer Kesse missing person case. Eventually she was indicted on a first-degree premeditated murder charge for the death of Cummings. Five months later, his father died. Hair and makeup items strewn across the counter. 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. At the time she vanished, she was living in Orlando. Read: 9 things to know about the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse. A legal team and a handful of investigators, including Mike Torretta, have been helping them sift through the files for months. I called and I called and for the first time since Jenn was a teenager, it went straight to voicemail, Drew said. Detective Joel Wright, who was a lead investigator on the case, has said of this: I believe Jennifer got ready for work. She was a project manager for a timeshare company. And police launched an investigation. On her wanted poster, Kessler is cited to be 53 55, the exact height range suggested for the person seen abandoning Kesses vehicle. Then she disappeared one day in January of 2006 and has never been found. The Kesse family organized volunteers to pass out fliers and spoke on local and national TV. 4. Investigators also found surveillance video of Sybert dumping trash and a trash can in the Dumpster near the salon, and they searched the local landfill for evidence. The agreement, he explained in an update online, meant the police would over a four-month period create and send a digital file of the case information to the family in exchange for $18,000. Jenns luggage from her trip was still in the front hall, untouched. Construction was ongoing, she had said she was afraid of some of the construction workers, and there were few other residents living in the building. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. 2. 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. Her disappearance remains a mystery. The residence seemed to all be in rather perfect order, with nothing out of place, no signs of anything amiss. Founded in 2010, Thought Catalog is owned and operated by The Thought & Expression Company, Inc. For over a decade, we've been at the bleeding edge of media, pioneering an infrastructure for creatives to flourish both artistically and financially. You may unsubscribe at any time. 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. Cookie Notice Additionally, within this article, the video above is from November 2019. And to make sure I was in it for the long haul. Well get it. Mike confirmed to Dateline that many of the workers were allowed to stay in the empty condos in the complex which, according to family members, made Jenn uncomfortable. Her defense teams forensic psychologist believes she has personality disorders and delusional disorders and is not competent to stand trial. Kesse's family said. What is Known About Kimberly Kessler?In 2012, Kimberly Kesslers mother reported her missing. As the investigation began, Rob camped out on the couch at Jenns condo for weeks. 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. Surveillance footage later revealed a suspect pulling into a parking space in her car around midday on January 24, waiting around 30 seconds, climbing out and walking away. Or not that we know of anyway.. On January 17, 2019, Kessler made an appearance in court for the death of Cummings. According to CBS News, they had a disagreement on the phone with the long distance part of their relationship taking its toll. Jennifer Joyce Kesse seemed to have everything going for her. But at first, I didnt think anything bad, like really bad, had happened to her. They sued the Orlando Police Department in 2018, asking for a copy of the case files. Three and four hours would pass, and wed still be talking.. The next day, when they still couldnt locate her, her mother called police. Even as they continue to search for her, Jennifer Kesse's story is a complete mystery, and it remains to be seen what becomes of this all. He's written articles for MU and Daily Grail and has been a guest on Coast to Coast AM and Binnal of America. It was January 24, 2006. Kesse was nowhere to be found, nothing appeared stolen from the car, and there wasn't any evidence to suggest any sort of struggle. I wanted to just sit there and wait for her to come back. After the litigation, Orland Police relinquished 16,000 pages into the hands of the family who are now lead investigators. Our newsletter keeps our core readers connected. Seventeen heart-shaped balloons were left . The day before she disappeared, Kesse had left Allen's home to drive to work. Given the scene of Jenns apartment, authorities began to think Jenn was abducted during her walk to her car or on her way to work. ORLANDO, Fla Editor's Note:Jennifer Kesse's case was featured last year onCBS News' "48 Hours,"which contributed to this report. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. It was as if she had just parked it there and walked off the face of the earth. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. There was no sign of a struggle or break-in at her apartment or the parking lot or her vehicle, but its possible a woman would have seemed non-threatening. Subscribe Today! This week marks 17 years since the 24-year-old vanished in 2006 but there have been no arrests made. In light of the mysterious surveillance footage, Jennifers car was thoroughly searched and analyzed for any trace of physical evidence of the phantom person from the tape, but only a latent print and an impression of a work boot could be turned up, with no further prints or DNA evidence that could be found, leading authorities to deduce that the vehicle had been thoroughly wiped down. We dont know about what or how reporters knew that. The Kesses have continued to doggedly search for new clues and have a Facebook page and GoFundMe page dedicated to finding answers, even as the police have distanced themselves from it all. I personally have never really wavered on what I think happened, but of course the mind can be pulled into so many different directions because we have nothing concrete, Logan said. Jennifer Kesse's family was back in court Thursday after suing the Orlando Police Department in an attempt to obtain records of their missing daughter's case. It also seems highly unlikely that one or more of the workers could have pulled off an abduction and murder without at least some of the other workers finding out. Authorities arrived and confirmed the car was Jenns. Inside, CBS says nothing seemed out-of-the-ordinary. After this, they said they arent sure there is anything left they can do. As he explains, they would need authorities to help approach any potential suspects because trying to do it on their own would ruin a future prosecutor's case. Details of Jennifer Kesses DisappearanceThe disappearance of Jennifer Kesse has been exhaustively discussed in this sub, but here is a rundown of the basic facts of her case: Kesse, 24, returned from a vacation with her boyfriend on Sunday, January 22, 2006. Police release age-progressed photo of 24-year-old woman who went missing nine years ago, Prime suspect in unsolved murder of an 11-year-old boy breaks his silence more than two decades later and admits he saw the missing child moments before he was abducted, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Beaming Harry and Meghan enjoy date night at private members' club, Ken Bruce finishes his 30-year tenure as host of BBC Radio 2, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' Peter Van Sant and 48 HOURS investigate the disappearance of the 24-year-old. A reporter would later call the suspect the luckiest person of interest ever.. They maintain an on-going Go Fund Mepage that has raised more than $80,000, out of a $200,000 goal, to pay for their private investigations. No confirmed blood, fingerprints, images, or other proof that she was at or in Kesses apartment, complex, parking lot, or vehicle. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. Published: 8:55 AM EST January 24, 2023 Updated: 6:13 PM EST January 24, 2023 ORLANDO, Fla. Where is Jennifer Kesse? If jealousy did indeed motivate Kessler to murder Cummings, it could be possible she encountered Kesse and became jealous of her for real or perceived reasons and decided to attack, whether or not she had a planned endgame. 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. Jenn also spoke to her 21-year-old brother, Logan Kesse, that day. This week marks 14 years since Jenn disappeared from their lives. ORLANDO, Fla. Where is Jennifer Kesse? The next morning, her boyfriend grew concerned after she didnt call him or send him any text messages. A few friends told her that if the workers started to verbally harass her, to go to the manager, but thankfully it never escalated to that. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. Is it possible she was employed by the construction company working on Kesses building? There was no blood, no DNA, no hair samples, nothing.. We had a hit, Drew said. A police dog was able to trace a scent that led from the car back to Jennifers building, suggesting that the person who dropped off the car returned to the site of her abduction. Wright was reassigned in 2010; and Florida formally declared Kesse dead in 2016, despite never finding her body. She had slept in her bed, taken a shower (as indicated by a wet towel and shower) and left out clothes on the bed. when they found footage that showed an unidentified person . In January of 2006, Jennifer took a trip with Allen to St. Croix, a Caribbean Island in the Virgin Islands chain for a romantic getaway. Kessler spent a lot of time in many Florida cities, including Oviedo, which is basically a suburb of Orlando, where Kesse lived. Thats how it was with Jenn. Allen says it was the last time he ever heard from her. You never think something like this could ever happen to someone you love.. 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. As of this posing, the judge in the case has not made a ruling. 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. Wright's theory was that Kesse was abducted. Kessler has used multiple aliases with the first names Jenn and Jennifer. Jennifer Kesses nickname was Jenn. Its not like her to not show up for work. She was a college graduate of the University of Central Florida. Two months prior to her disappearance, Jenn had purchased her first condo at Mosaic at Millenia Condominium in Orlando. Police arrested Sybert on Wednesday, May 16 at an Interstate 95 rest area in St. Johns County, Florida. Everything looked normal, with her make-up laid out on a counter and a t-shirt on the floor, and even the shower was still wet, showing that she had left that morning. VIDEO: Jennifer Kesse: Investigation into Orlando womans disappearance turned over to FDLE Jennifer Kesse: Investigation into Orlando womans disappearance turned over to FDLE. It looked like they knocked a filing cabinet over, shuffled the papers and handed them to us.. The family said there was a seven-year gap in the case files where nothing was recorded. Kesse was 24 when she went missing. "We firmly believe the departments negligence and lack of competency cost Jennifer the chance to be found," Drew wrote. Rob, along with Jenns parents and brother, were all ruled out as suspects right away, according to the familys legal team and private investigator, Mike Torretta. During that presser they also announced that Jennifer Sybert was actually named Kimberly Kessler; she had been living under a fake name and using a fake Social Security number. In the meantime, her bank account remained untouched and police were unable to successfully ping her cell phone. 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. Our hearts continue to go out to the entire Kesse family, and our detectives will continue to investigate any new leads. She failed to call or text her boyfriend the following morning as was her usual routine. Jennifer Kesse Breaking News: Witness Statement Points To Someone At Work- Kesse Family and OPD Press Conference Scheduled Quote: Adam had been working for Central Florida Investments for eight years before being fired for asking his bosses to investigate the alleged harassment perpetrated against him by his supervisor, Johnny Campos, since the . The only evidence was surveillance footage obtained by Orlando Police that showed an unidentified person walking in the parking lot at the same time Jennifers car was left in the lot -- 12 p.m. on Tuesday, January 24, 2006. The main theory at the moment is that she was abducted, possibly by human traffickers. Orlando police never named a suspect in Kesses disappearance. The Orlando Police Department originally investigated the case. Rob was so supportive then, and continues to be supportive. She also had a long-distance love with boyfriend Rob Allen, who lived around 3 hours away in Ft. Lauderdale, but with whom she was very serious, finding time to see him every weekend. By that evening, authorities had been contacted and her parents began distributing missing-person flyers with Jennifers photo. Happenings before Jennifer disappeared. Jennifer Kesse, 24, went missing from her newly purchased Orlando, Florida, condo on January 24, 2006 Her family marked the 15th anniversary this month by announcing that they 'hope' to solving. We were there for my roommates trade show, and it was also just a fun single boys weekend, you know? Bear with me as I lay out the main connection points and possibilities: The details of the Cummings disappearance are similar to those of the Kesse disappearance: a young woman and her vehicle go missing, the vehicle is later found abandoned in a parking lot, and surveillance cameras catch the person parking the vehicle (in Cummings case, positively identified as Kessler) parking and walking away.