Valuables were still in the vehicle, which lead police to believe this wasnt a robbery or a carjacking. They have a photo of the person parking her car, but his face is obscured by the fence. Chino: I met Jennifer Kesse. At first, the Kesses say police infuriated them by not taking their daughter's disappearance seriously. She had shoulder-length sandy blonde hair and green eyes. Detective Joel Wright was still trying to solve this confounding mystery. We know that it is the public that in most cases solves or helps Missing people be found. Rob Allen: She was a little emotional saying, oh, you know, that "you don't love me. WORKER: Everybody getting along fine, regular conversation. In the years since her disappearance, her family and law enforcement have continued to search for clues to her whereabouts. Unfortunately, no. But Torretta struck out when he tried to find those workers who he believes lived in the vacant apartment across from Jennifer. It will take time, talent, money, and luck; however, we welcome the renewed effort," they said. "She had just bought her first condo with her own money," said Jennifer's father, Drew Kesse. Joyce Kesse: It's very, very hard to move forward. There's nothing in there that indicates that there were problems at the Mosaic. He called Jennifer and asked if she would mail it to him. Then, in an attempt to get more clues, her car was photographed and taken in for a thorough forensic examination. Joyce Kesse: As you can imagine we were basket cases. Ashley: He came over to my condo quite a bit. This has been backed up by the FBI who also are down and checked out the figures. Jennifer Joyce Kesse (born May 20, 1981) is an American woman from Orlando, Florida, who has been missing since January 23, 2006. This meant there werenoclues pertainingto what had happened to the victim. It's busy, locks the door of her condo. I can understand why they would feel that maybe an agency like ours has not delivered on what they would expect for an agency to do. The surveillance video took a photo every 3 seconds and each time, the person's face was obstructed by a fence post. There were no signs of a struggle. Drew Kesse: But police were very quick to shut us down on certain things. The parents of Jennifer Kesse say they are "closer than ever" to uncovering answers in the disappearance of their. But to the Kesses' frustration, the person caught on that camera could not be identified. Chino. And what about that photo taken by security cameras? The effort our investigators have put forward to get us to this point has been incredible. Again, the case stalled. Three days later, Keese's vehicle was found in an apartment complex parking lot less than a mile from where she lived. Roger Brennan [at the parking lot]: This is the camera that caught the person that parked Jennifer's vehicle here. Det. Follow the links to read about more shocking crimes investigated on 48 Hours on ID. Originally the person's height was estimated to be between 5'3 and 5'5. In fact, she'd just moved. Louis Bolden: At the time, we thought, "They want what? Joyce Kesse: Police kept insisting that Jennifer went out in the middle of the night And we're like, "you don't understand that is not how our daughter's brain works.". ! Kesse wrote at the time. That afternoon Jennifer's brother, Logan, began to question some of the construction workers at the complex. Jennifer Kesse was deemed dead by the state of Florida in 2016. 3. He thinks it was one or more of these workers who abducted her on January 24, 2006. Even though her home was in a rough part of the city, it was in the process of being revamped, which meant that a lot of workers were always around. We wont rest till we bring you home, no matter how many years it takes. At the time of her disappearance, Jennifer Kesse was 5 feet 8 and 135 pounds. To this day, Jennifer Kesse has not been found, dead or alive, and the people who love her have fought tirelessly for answers, a fight that included receiving over 16 thousand pages of police records on the investigation, and these pages held more clues which has only fed the fire of this mystery. While the Orlando Police Dept. On that day, the Kesses learned their daughter did not report for work at Central . Jennifer Kesse Disappears. The last information known about her whereabouts, wassheleftwork at Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company the night before she went missing, and had made several calls to family members that night. It looks like a man. By the time they took it seriously, we had 14 people in the condo. Missing Person / By craftncrime / April 2, 2021. Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021. She graduated in 2003 and immediately received several job offers, and she decided to take a position at Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company in Ocoee, Orange County, Florida. Peter Van Sant: There's no list of names of who was staying in which apartment? Jennifer Kesse was first reported missing on January 24, 2006. Drew Kesse, who in the past has been vocal about what he feels are missteps by investigators, thanked the new team for their tireless efforts. Anyone with information into Kesses disappearance can call the Kesse Family Tip Line at 941-201-4009, or Crimeline at 1-800-423-TIPS (8477). Her Chevy Malibu car was found a mile away in what police suspect was an abduction. However, the family has said as recently as 2022 that they are still working to get the complete unredacted file from the city. Peter Van Sant [2008]: Do you think the car was cleaned by someone? Residents at the complex stated the car had been parked in the lot for several days. (Drew Kesse) ORLANDO, Fla. - Drew Kesse, whose daughter Jennifer Kesse has been missing since Jan. 24,. I called the crime line back then and told them and they took my statement. And that's not all he learned. Was Jennifer Kesse Found? Roger Brennan: [2008] We printed out pictures and then we brought them out here. of negligence in the investigation. It didnt take this long. Before the case went cold, her car was found abandoned. Jennifer Kesse's father says nothing was found during a search of an Orange County lake. Rob Allen: My best friend said to me after the trip, he's like, "Oh you're in love and you just don't want to admit it.". 2023 Cox Media Group. The cops thought they had a further break when they learned that surveillance footage had captured an individual driving Jennifers car into the parking lot. Ashley: I always wanted to ask him. We need to see what's inside that carpet. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. You know aliens didn't abduct her. Det. Sgt. Jennifer Kesse has been missing for 17 years: Her family hasn't stopped the search Claire Farrow 1/23/2023 Like Comments Where is Jennifer Kesse? Now her uncle, Bill Gilmour, describes the restless nights since then and his emotional journey to find peace, in a new book "Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction: An Uncle's Inspiring Journey and Other Stories of Hope." Joining Nancy Grace Today: Very strong willed and very sure of herself she knew what track she was gonna take and she knew how to get there. The dust also appears to show fingers being dragged along the hood. Jennifer Kesse missing cold case remains unsolved 10 years after disappearance - Orlando Sentinel http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/._jennifer.html I saw it on Disappeared recently. The police concluded that Jennifer had left for work as normal, but she was attacked and abducted as she went to get in her car. I love her. Produced by Chris Young Ritzen, Tamara Weitzman and Gabriella Demirdjian. The navigation of the cases needs needed seasoned professionals, so we are humbled by their continued work and commitment to finding Jennifer, the family said. Drew Kesse: So, to me, they don't have DNA. Lauren McCarthy: The searches were massive. Police say they did not believe Jennifer's case met the criteria for declaring her missing. Sgt. January 18, 2012 at 5:12 pm EST. But it did. The tip came from people who lived across the street from Jennifer's condo complex, they reported to him that they believe they saw Jennifer's car on Tuesday morning driving erratically out of the . Louis Bolden: Joyce and Drew Kesse were very vulnerable. Drew Kesse: We have film of the car being dropped off . Based on this evidence, police investigators believed that she had left her home and, There was no sign of a struggle at her home, and no evidence that anyone other than Kesse had been in the condo on the morning of January 24. Her Car Was Recovered Barely A Mile From Her Home - But No Trace Of Her Has Ever Been Found. Kesse and her boyfriend, Robert Allen . Drew Kesse: I'm like, "Come on! In 2009, Detective Wright decided to take a fresh look at the case. Jennifer went missing in Orlando, Fla. on Jan. 23, 2006. 1. Jennifer Kesse has not been seen since 2006. . Joel Wright: I put just the name Chino into a leads tracking system and one tip did come up. [TRENDING: Roller coaster ride of temperatures in Central Florida with new front | Attorney general reviewing complaints against Volusia hot tub company | Ask Trooper Steve: Why does Florida not have a front, rear license plate? But he told me there was really nothing that he personally could do. Her family's pursuit to discover what happened to her has led them to the bottom of lakes and from Mexico to Russia, according to Fox News. Kesse was last seen at her workplace, Central Florida Investments, on Jan. 23, 2006. Rob Allen: You have that initial hope, like, OK, we found the car, it's only going to be a matter of time before we find Jennifer. Brennan shared evidence photos. The former University of Central Florida student had graduated in 2003, and had only recently started her new job as a finance manager. Orlando, Florida - Home of Mickey Mouse and sunny beach vacations, a city that 60 million people flock to every year whether it's for the theme parks or just the sun and heat that South Florida is known for. I had never heard of that happening. Jennifer Kesse, then 24, vanished from her new condo in Orlando, Florida on January 24, 2006. So, makeup, curling iron all that stuff all over the vanity wet shower, wet towel. Roger Brennan [2008]: We're going through canvases of areas that she would travel or that she might be at. So, of course, every one of its episodes goes above and beyond to provide us with every bit of factual information surrounding a case to help us form our own opinions, and its episode entitled Where Is Jennifer Kesse? is no different. And the forensic examination produced just a little as well a latent print and a small DNA fiber. Tami: He was pleasuring himself in the corner of my patio. Joel Wright: She did look at the photo and said, "That looks like Chino.". Rob Allen: You've got the bug. The investigation and the hunt for what happened to Jennifer continues today. And just please think of Jennifer . Peter Van Sant: How often would you socialize with him? The Kesses are offering a $15,000 reward for information leading to Jennifer's whereabouts. Jennifer Kesse Was Just 24 When She Went Missing. ORLANDO, Fla. - On a January evening in 2006, Jennifer Kesse chatted on the phone with her parents and boyfriend from inside her Orlando home before disappearing without a trace, stumping investigators and the young woman's family who have searched relentlessly for her from Florida to Mexico and Russia. Chino needs to be spoken to again. Influencivenews; . And her manager, who had made his intentions of wanting a relationship with her clear, was eventually ruled out as a suspect as well. And also had people of different heights walk by. Jennifer Joyce Kesse was born on May 20, 1981 to parents Drew and Joyce Kesse. Her Car Was Recovered Barely A Mile From Her Home - But No Trace Of Her Has Ever Been Found, The last information known about her whereabouts, wasshe, It soon became clear to her family and co-workers that, When her parents arrived at the condo, they discovered nothing was out of place. Ashley says she never was suspicious of Chino until one day nine months after Jennifer vanished, when Chino suddenly disappeared and moved out of the complex in the middle of the night. I don't hear helicopters in the air.". Jennifer Kesse had recently purchased her own condo at the Mosaic at Millenia Condominium in Orlando, Florida and just received a promotion at work. Based on interviews with people who lived at the complex, he believes that up to 10 construction workers were living in an empty apartment just across from Jennifer's. All they could theorize is that the 24-year-old had been abducted at some point after shehad left herapartment, but before shehad made it to work. For the Kesse family, Jennifer has not aged in their eyes since the day that she vanished. It's actually a complex that's been known where stolen cars were -- would be recovered from. We have had things to do with the case needing to be worked on for about a year now, its just been about getting it to the right people who have the ability, knowledge, desire and experience to do it right. "It is Jennifers best opportunity to be found now, 17 years later. This is precisely the case with the Jennifer Kesse disappearance. 2023 Cinemaholic Inc. All rights reserved. My guys cant go in and make arrests, do the true legal law enforcement work we have generated. Chino was a name Detective Wright had not heard before. A week before she was last seen, Kessehad also visited the Virgin Islands with her boyfriend. I just think of Jennifer all the time. " she was in love. Fifteen years have passed since Jennifer Kesse vanished -- years of anguish for her family and friends, but they are determined to keep Jennifer's story alive. She was the oldest of two children, and is said to have been best friends with her little brother, Logan. Security footage installed at the complex captured an individual seen driving and parking Jennifer's car on day she went missing. Drew Kesse: We have to find her as quickly as possible because the more time that passes the less chance we have and the worse it's going to be. She moved into the complex just weeks after Jennifer disappeared. Joyce Kesse [2008]: God love Jennifer. They held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing, with the desperate hope that someone passing by knew something. We were very frantic. Her face was everywhere. People have been very generous with GoFundMe pages and help us continue what we are trying to do.". Rob Allen: That's just not something that even came in my mind. "I think right now we are in the best position in 17 years because the FDLE wants the case, they know what they are doing, it's a cold case division specifically looking at the case," he said. CHINO: Everything was normal. Three days after Kesse's disappearance, her car was found in the parking lot of the Huntington on the Green apartment complex at Americana and Texas, less than a mile from her residence. After all the interviews and reviewing the case file, Torretta says he now has a new theory as to what could have happened to Jennifer Kesse. DETECTIVE WRIGHT [2009 audio tape]: Nobody mad about anything? Last year Drew Kesse accused the Orlando Police Dept. Lauren McCarthy: The reasons she bought the place that she did was because it was a gated community with a guard. There was no sign of a struggle at her home, and no evidence that anyone other than Kesse had been in the condo on the morning of January 24. Joyce Kesse: Jenn shared every detail about the trip. Kesse was just 24-years-old when she went missing on January 24, 2006. Investigators think she was trying to find a mail box when . 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. Orlando Police Department via the Kesse family. This person has never been found, but has been identified as a person of interest in her investigation. Colleen: I don't recall formally meeting her. | Become a News 6 Insider]. David Tronnes murder his wife Shanti Cooper? In an unexpected move, detectives summoned boyfriend Rob Allen to meet them at Jennifer's car. What do you think happened?" A Crime Line tip had been received in the first week of the investigation. First published on October 24, 2020 / 11:01 PM. Jennifer Kesse, age 24, missing since 1/24/06. She says they never talked about Jennifer's disappearance. Lauren McCarthy: She was always on the radar with everybody. The disappearance of Jennifer Kesse 23 photos But, by early evening, when there was still no sign of Jennifer, police officially declared her missing. There were hundreds of people that came out. Jennifer Kesse has been missing for 15 years, and there are still little indications as to what happened to her on the day she vanished. Jennifer spoke on the phone to her parents and boyfriend in her apartment before disappearing without a trace, never to be seen again. There's a lot of information that could have been developed that I believe wasn't in the most critical hours of this investigation. Start to work. Ashley: I sat on it for a little bit. Michael Torretta: This is something that is haunting me. Several items were located inside the vehicle her cellphone, charger sandals and shoes Nothing appears to be disturbed in the vehicle at all. Drew added: We just werent willing to let Orlando deal with Jennifer anymore so we were able to have a meeting with the powers that be in the state, as well as law enforcement and the police department, and everyone thought it would be best if the Florida Department of Law Enforcement became involved. Joyce Kesse: We asked them for several years to make her case cold because there's more resources available for cold cases. Now, nearly 15 years later, evidence photos obtained by Fox News suggest a violent . ", Peter Van Sant: Do you believe anyone realistically has been working this case in recent years?". Drew thinks it will be a "miracle" if his beloved daughter is found alive - yet with the help of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) and his own team of private investigators, he remains hopeful. "It is Jennifer's best opportunity to be found . If you have any information about Jennifer Kesse, report a tip to the Orlando Police Department. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance in Orlando, Florida. She's locking the door and never sees it comin She probably was attacked immediately upon exiting. According to the Kesse family, this information has never been confirmed. But when they did, no leads were discovered. The FBI took over Jennifers case in mid-2010, putting her on their Most Wanted/Missing List, where she still remains. It's not about us. Train derailment in Springfield, Ohio as residents ordered to shelter in place, Rape survivor 'sobbed seeing Gabby Petito bodycam vid after same cop did nothing', Mom 'stabs 3 of her kids to death and wounds 2 others in unsupervised visit', Daughter of murdered couple linked to Delphi case reveals paranoia, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Jennifer Kesse's father spoke exclusively to The U.S. Sun ahead of the anniversary of his daughter's disappearance. In January 2006, Jennifer Kesse's family and friends say she was on top of the world. Kevin Harris was an aspiring hip-hop artist when he was gunned down. The woman had not been questioned back in 2006: DETECTIVE WRIGHT [2009 audio tape]: Do you remember a person by the name of Jennifer Kesse that turned up missing? By the gait And someone with pretty big feet for his height is the information we've been getting. When Jennifer didn't come home after 48 hours, the police began investigating her whereabouts in earnest. If you need help with the Public File, call 407-291-6000. Dylan Eason and Isaiah Churchwell were convicted of murdering Cynthia William "Patrick" Alexander remains in prison for murder. Wright also re-interviewed another maintenance worker who had done repairs with Chino in Jennifer's condo. Louis Bolden: Technology then was not what technology is now. Though her car was later found, the 24-year-old woman has yet to be found. Det. Rob Allen: We did the long distance, but after the initial date we started spending virtually every weekend together. DETECTIVE WRIGHT: how did you get into the condo? The Kesses said this is their best shot at finding answers. Colleen: He was apologetic. Jennifer Kesse was in love. Det. At the point when investigators assessed observation video from the CCTV camera where Jennifer Kesse's vehicle was found, they saw an individual leaving her vehicle. We had a guard house. But that evening Jennifer spoke with Rob. Colleen: When I would come home from work, there would be a large group of men outside drinking. July 10, 2021 / 11:06 PM And since then, it has managed to become televisions most popular true-crime series, investigating shocking cases and compelling real-life tales with authenticity and cutting-edge interviews to give us a complete look at a case. While the car was taken by a forensics team, there was little evidence to be found in her vehicle. Jennifer spoke on the phone to her parents and boyfriend in her Orlando apartment before disappearing without a trace, never to be seen again. In 2019, local police came out with a dive team, but no carpet was found. Of course, she has her back to the apartment behind her. Jennifer Kesse's family has undergone years of investigation and is nowhere near giving up until their daughter is found. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. The surveillance footage does tell us that there was about 30 seconds of time when the person was inside the car. You unfortunately take things for granted. Sgt. The daily pain endured by the Kesse family is rooted in the events of Jan. 24, 2006. Check out this great listen on Audible.com. Its positive in that respect, we have met the new detective and are able to move forward. When he showed her that security camera photo of the unidentified suspect, she gave him a possible new lead. The woman claimed that Chino often approached her in the parking lot late at night when she returned from work and made her feel uncomfortable. . Detective Wright then interviewed the building manager at Jennifer's condo to find out if there were any issues between Jennifer and Chino -- or anyone else: DETECTIVE WRIGHT [2009 audio tape]: Are you aware of anybody that might've had a problem with Jennifer that worked there or lived there? Kesse was a graduate of Gaither High School in Tampa. She had newly purchased a condominium with her own money no small feat for someone who was just 24. Joyce Kesse: The workers made her feel uncomfortable. This week marks 17 years since the 24-year-old vanished in 2006 but there have been no arrests made. - www.CriminalCoffeeCo.com Joel Wright [2008]: Now the clothing looks to be maybe someone who is a painter or some type of worker. Surveillance video caught an unidentified person getting out of her car after she went missing. Joel Wright | Orlando Police Department: It appeared that somebody was fighting over control of the car. Now, Drew and Joyce Kesse hope they will solve their missing daughter's case. Even though Rob lived in Fort Lauderdale, about 3 hours from Jennifer's condo in Orlando. Chief Orlando Rolon: I can understand why they're frustrated. Peter Van Sant: Hey, how are ya? Jennifers boyfriend, Rob Allen, had a solid alibi. Michael Torretta: I always told the Kesses what I like to do with this investigation is put a puzzle together -- one piece at a time. And it just ate away at me. The Kesses are dedicated to finding the truth about what happened to their daughter on the morning of January 24, 2006. Peter Van Sant: What's intriguing based on your investigation is the men that were in the apartment across from Jennifer's were putting down carpet that day. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Surveillance video showed someone walking near the car, and has been sought as a person of interest.