We needed the files for answers, Logan said. Drew paused, softly laughed, remembering the one thing that he actually hadnt known about his daughter. When viewing surveillance videos, investigators spot an unidentified person parking Jennifer's car at 12pm on the day Jennifer went missing. At the time she vanished, she was living in Orlando. Kessler had been known to work construction jobs. 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. Her disappearance remains a mystery. Always in contact with each other, Jenns father, Drew Kesse, told Dateline. When they reached their 20s, their bond grew and their social circles merged. Surveillance video showed somebody parking Kesse's car there, but the person's face was blocked by a fence post. It was as if she had just parked it there and walked off the face of the earth. Her defense teams forensic psychologist believes she has personality disorders and delusional disorders and is not competent to stand trial. Hes part of our family and always will be.. Family members and friends began the search immediately. She didnt tell me about her shamrock tattoo, Drew said. Her bed was unmade and there was a wet towel and water droplets still covering the shower. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance. Kesses parents sued the Orlando Police Department for a copy of their daughters case file. 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 . There were a few times, Jenn told me, that the workers would just stop and stare at her, Joyce told Dateline. Kesse's family said. Went outside of her condo locked the door on the way out. Wright then realized an anonymous tip had been reported right after Kesse vanished, also suggesting Chino might know something. Thats hell. They hired a private investigator. The family says they did not want the case to be in the hands of Orlando police anymore, but moving the investigation to FDLE did not come easily and for six months they worked to convince the attorney generals office and other state partners to help them. As CBS pointed out, the day Kesse went missing, workers happened to be laying carpet nearby making that tip noteworthy. Monday marks 16 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared. We were there for my roommates trade show, and it was also just a fun single boys weekend, you know? You dont., Its like Groundhog Day every day, yet, life moves on for everyone else, Joyce said. Sometimes it doesnt feel like 14 years has passed. It was just strange enough and had just enough possibility to catch my attention. On right, how Jennifer may look today. I wanted to just sit there and wait for her to come back. 27.07 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Flames of Prophecy, 29.07 - MU Podcast - Contract with the Goddess, 29.06 - MU Podcast - Italian Disco Abductions, 27.06 - MU Plus+ Podcast - Secret Vaults of Time, Creature from the Black Lagoon, Queen's Ghost, Small Lake Monster, Space Caterpillar and More Mysterious News Briefly, A Haunted Book and the Most Haunted Bookshop There Is. But nothing -- absolutely nothing -- was being done.. They still do.. Campos allegedly told Adam that shes likely eaten up by alligators already.. Jennifer Joyce Kesse (born May 20, 1981) is an American woman from Orlando, Florida, who has been missing since January 23, 2006. And thats not how it should be.. 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. On June 10, 2010, the FBI took over the case from the Orlando Police Department, and Jennifer Kesse remains on the FBI's . She drove to work that morning from her boyfriends house in southern Florida. On her unmade bed was a selection of work clothes. There was nothing amiss at Jennifer Jenn Kesses condo in Orlando, Florida on the day she vanished 14 years ago. which would lead into a deeply strange vanishing that remains totally unsolved. Jennifer's case was recently profiled on the Oxygen series Up & Vanished series. After seeing Jenns story on the news, a resident of the Huntington on the Green condominiums, reported seeing a black Chevy Malibu that matched the description of the one Jenn owned. Kessler spent a lot of time in many Florida cities, including Oviedo, which is basically a suburb of Orlando, where Kesse lived. Jenn stayed with me that night and decided to drive straight to work early the next morning.. A personal connection doesnt seem to exist between Kessler and Kesse. The car was in pristine condition, with no sign of a struggle or violence and nothing out of place, with the radio and expensive DVD player she had installed still there. 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. 2. ", Clearwater High School students prepare for annual civil rights tour, Person killed after shooting outside Tampa credit union, 10 Weather: Windy Friday ahead of weekend cold front, Windy conditions ahead of chance of rain this weekend, Nothing found in lake after new tip about Jennifer Kesse's disappearance, New tip in Jennifer Kesse's disappearance causes divers to search lake, Parents of Jennifer Kesse take over investigation into daughters disappearance. Jennifer Kesse was a successful young woman with a good job and a loving boyfriend when she simply vanished from her Orlando, Fla., condominium. He graduated from Temple University with a degree in Journalism in 2010. It was not clear if the person was a man or a woman and no information came from the tape. As of right now, there is no law enforcement working on my daughters case. A few days later, on January 26, 2006, came the first big break in the case. 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? He called her, but his call went to voicemail. Her condo complex was undergoing a renovation, and many of the workers had been living in the empty condos. And made it as far as her car. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. There were three snapshots of the person who dropped off her car, but in every snapshot, the persons face was obscured by bars from a gate outside the building. They generated thousands of leads and tips, but the ultimate tip has still not come through. He said the family and private investigative team is ready to speak with any other law enforcement force. The family went to their daughter's new condo and said it appeared 'normal' - clean and with everything in place. On right, how Jennifer may look today. Or not that we know of anyway.. The case generated media attention. Kesslers general physical description could match that of the person seen walking away from Kesses vehicle. 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. Her disappearance continues to grab national attention. (Drew Kesse) ORLANDO, Fla. - Drew Kesse, whose daughter Jennifer Kesse has been missing since Jan. 24, 2006,. Difficult then, and still difficult now, 14 years later., I talked to her on the phone for the last time that day, Logan said. But she didnt come back. 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 Disappearance of Joleen CummingsOn Monday, May 14, 2018, the mother of Joleen Cummings, 34, reported her missing. Although a married man, other workers allege that Campos made it very clear that he desired a relationship with Jennifer but was rebuffed because not only did she have a boyfriend, she refused to date coworkers as a matter of policy. One of Jenns friends found out she was pregnant just after Jenn vanished. 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. He gave his life searching for her as much as we did. And one night, we were out at a bar and met Jenn and her friends, Rob said. Rob was so supportive then, and continues to be supportive. Friday marks 14 years since Jennifer Kesse vanished. After that, I believe she was abducted. She was up for anything and willing to travel anywhere and try new things.. However, unwilling to accept the fate of previous years - where meaningful breakthroughs have long been absent - they have a new plan to find their missing daughter. ORLANDO, Fla. Seventeen years ago, Jennifer Kesse disappeared in Orlando in a high-profile case that made national news. Her family has vowed to never give up their search to find her. In the years since Jenn vanished, Rob has gotten married and had two children. and our On her wanted poster, Kessler is cited to be 53 55, the exact height range suggested for the person seen abandoning Kesses vehicle. 2. Andrea Cavallier is a Digital Producer for Dateline NBC. The condominiums are about a mile from where Jenn lived. In the meantime, her bank account remained untouched and police were unable to successfully ping her cell phone. Weve created a community powered by horror fans like you and we need you in it. Jennifer Kesse was first reported missing on January 24, 2006. Kesses last phone call was to her boyfriend on Jan. 23; she did not show up to work the next day. We had just returned from holiday -- which was so amazing -- but now we were both dreading going back to work, Rob said. We dont know anything. Despite more than a thousand tips, police have not been able to work out what happened to the missing woman. By It was a double whammy, losing Jenn and then losing my father, Rob told Dateline. 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. Thats when I decided to travel, start my career. 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. 8. Kesse was nowhere to be found, nothing appeared stolen from the car, and there wasn't any evidence to suggest any sort of struggle. And that is where the mystery starts.. Her co-worker Jennifer Sybert was the last person known to have seen Cummings before she and her vehicle disappeared. She Met A Man Online And Ended Up Taking Down An Active Serial Killer, A Case From Unsolved Mysteries Has Been Solved Using Ancestry DNA, The Teen Girl Who Disappeared From A Sleepover And Was Never Seen Again, A Decades Long Canadian Mystery Known As The Septic Tank Sam Case Has Been Solved. Until the day I die. Police Found A Missing Womans Car Abandoned With The Door Open. Something. Other commenters on this theory have pointed out that, in those shapeless clothes and with her hair back, her silhouette is reminiscent of what we can make out in the surveillance videos of the person who parked Kesses vehiclesmaller frame, gender-neutral clothing, and a possible bun or ponytail (instead of what some believe may be as a hat). Jennifer Kesse was last seen leaving work in Orlando, Florida on January 23, 2006. The next day, on Tuesday, January 24, she did not show up for work, and Allen did not hear anything from her, which was unusual as she was always texting him. Jennifer's car was missing, and her condo looked, according to family members, as if Jennifer had gotten ready and left for work. No one has seen or heard from her since. (Drew Kesse) In the files, investigators suspected a struggle on the hood of Kesse's car when they discovered the vehicle. I realize that this theory is probably a stretch, but I thought it was interesting enough to bring up. Police arrested Sybert on Wednesday, May 16 at an Interstate 95 rest area in St. Johns County, Florida. On left, Jennifer before her disappearance. She Went To The Bathroom While Eating Breakfast At A Restaurant. 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. Watch News 6 as they cover breaking local, regional, and national news, plus the latest updates on weather, traffic and sports. Orlando police said a person of interest was caught on surveillance video driving Kesses car, but was never found. On October 5, 2020 Kessler was again in the news. The day after Jennifers disappearance, Campos and a coworker named Adam were talking about the case. Cummings vehicle was found on Tuesday, May 16 in the parking lot of a Home Depot in Yulee, Florida, about 12 miles from her workplace. Since then, the best clue investigators have found is grainy surveillance video showing a man parking a car, then walking away from the Huntington on the Green apartment complex. Kessler has used multiple aliases with the first names Jenn and Jennifer. Jennifer Kesses nickname was Jenn. They returned on January 22, after which she spent the night at his house and headed off to work on the morning of January 23. In the months leading up to her disappearance, Jennifer Kesse tells her family how uncomfortable the construction workers had been making her feel. On January 17, 2019, Kessler made an appearance in court for the death of Cummings. My mind just didnt go there. One of the Strangest Mysteries in the History of NASA: Conspiracy or Complete Garbage? It had been a long day, coming back from the Caribbean, and we were both tired, Rob said. She has never been located. According to private investigator Torretta, the person without a face is a person of interest and the main focus of his investigation. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at Millenia. You can watchthe full episode here. Do investigators know where Kessler was on the days leading up to and including the day Kesse went missing? It still has for my parents, Logan said. But instead, he stayed. Jennifer Kesses father, Drew Kesse, said: 'We have great hope that this year were going to know, maybe not exactly what happened to Jennifer but where we need to go and what we need to do', as reported by My Sun Coast. Dailymail.com Reporter, Have you seen Jennifer? Kessler and Cummings had blue eyes, and Kesse had green eyes that were said to look blue depending on what she was wearing. By subscribing, you agree to the terms of our Privacy Statement. Perhaps the womens physical similarities made Kesse a target. She drove the two and a half hours directly to her job in Ocoee, Florida, where she worked a full day. A police search was launched after she failed to turn up for work as a finance manager at Central Florida Investments. Join MU Plus+ and get exclusive shows and extensions & much more! ORLANDO, Fla. 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. 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. 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. You may unsubscribe at any time. She left. EARLY LIFE: Jennifer Joyce Kesse was born on May 20, 1981 to parents Drew and Joyce Kesse. The next day, when they still couldnt locate her, her mother called police. No confirmed blood, fingerprints, images, or other proof that she was at or in Kesses apartment, complex, parking lot, or vehicle. 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. 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. , updated Brent Swancer is an author and crypto expert living in Japan. But because they are retired, they dont have the power to make an arrest. 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. Shes the most responsible person I know. We had a hit, Drew said. And this was the last contact she was to have with anyone who knew her. The PI believes Kesse had left her condo and was locking the door when she was grabbed by the workers. 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. Jenn also spoke to her 21-year-old brother, Logan Kesse, that day. "We're fed up . Logan said he believes one of the workers from her apartment complex is to blame. Mr Kesse said they family have been 'fighting through these files' for the last 22 months, receiving new files two weeks ago. Its possible she planned to kill Kesse and Cummings to use their identities, but no proof of this exists. Anyone who may know something is asked to call the familys tip line, 941-201-4009. When you find that instant connection with someone, you find a way to make it work.. ORLANDO, Fla. Where is Jennifer Kesse? To me, 14 years ago with my Jenn seems like yesterday, Joyce said. Perhaps she would have been more likely to open her door or talk with a woman, especially if that woman expressed fear or asked or help. She Was Never Seen Again. 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. "We wont be put to the side by anyone. 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. VIDEO: Jennifer Kesse: Investigation into Orlando womans disappearance turned over to FDLE Jennifer Kesse: Investigation into Orlando womans disappearance turned over to FDLE. To submit a tip or to join the conversation, visit the Help Find Missing Jennifer Kesse Facebook page or www.jenniferkesse.com. Copyright 2021 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Kesse was a graduate of Gaither High School in Tampa. We were a close-knit family. Investigators went about focusing their efforts on the complex, poring through video surveillance footage, and that was when they hit a potential lead, when they found footage that showed an unidentified person, approximately 5'3 to 5'5, tall, parking Kesse's car, sitting in the car for about 30 seconds, and then getting out and walking away. 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. 3. When investigators reviewed the stores surveillance tapes, they saw a familiar face exit the vehicleit was Jennifer Sybert, the co-worker who was the last person to have seen Cummings. In November 2019, investigators spent days searching Lake Fischer after a new tip came forward. And by lunchtime, he was worried. Her employer then alerted her family, who could not reach her at her home or on her cellphone. She was last seen leaving work at around 6:30PM. No one has identified this POI parking Jennifer's car, and Jennifer has never been found. Then she disappeared one day in January of 2006 and has never been found. Were truly starting to talk to the people we really need to talk to which leads us down many paths. The unsolved disappearance of Jennifer Kesse Seig Lu January 19, 2021 7:42 pm Jennifer Kesse was 24 years old when she vanished in 2006 in Orlando. 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. When I reflect back to that time, I feel numb.. Nov 08, 2019 at 6:13 pm. Shed last seen her daughter on July 4, 2004 in Butler, Pennsylvaniaeight years before reporting her missing. There was no question, Logan told Dateline. 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. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Her black Chevy Malibu was gone. He lived in Fort Lauderdale, and they would visit each other on the weekends. 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. They talked about shipping the phone back to his friend. She always said she felt safe with me, so I feel emasculated that I wasnt there to protect her, to save her.. He also expressed more frustration with the Orlando Police Department. IE 11 is not supported. By all accounts, the trip had gone really well. 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. But what we got was a mess. Jennifer Kesse, 24, disappeared from Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 24, 2006. Drew told Dateline that authorities from the Orange County Sheriffs Department and the Orlando Police Department arrived on the scene, but said they did not seem overly concerned because Jenn was an adult. 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. Her black, Chevy Malibu car was later found a mile away on Thursday, January 26 at a condo complex around a mile down the road from where she lived. 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. 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. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. There's been a lot of discussion about how the construction company kept poor records of employees working at this site, so perhaps this isn't an answerable question. 'We will not cease until we have found her, for the good or the bad. Unfortunately, no. The missing woman's parents, Joyce and Drew Kesse, have never given up searching for her and continually update their websiteFindjenniferkesse.comand Facebook page. The nightmare to not know. Created Jan 10, 2018 4.7k Members 7 Online 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. She had slept in her bed, taken a shower (as indicated by a wet towel and shower) and left out clothes on the bed. The private investigator believes she may have been abducted by a construction worker. Later that year, Detective Joel Wright was named lead investigator in the case. In 2016, Jennifer would be officially pronounced dead, but her family fought this, and in the meantime fought the State of Florida for access to the case files, finally in in March of 2019 receiving more than 16,000 pages of documents and 67 hours of video and audiotape, but this has not led to any breakthroughs. 7. Two days later, her black Chevy Malibu was found at an apartment complex in a high-crime area of Orlando, about a mile from her condo. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at Millenia.. We had an incredible relationship. And I wont stop until someone is held accountable. They believed shed been living out of her vehicle and parking at different locations around the area. No one.". 9. 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. 'Jennifer, we love you in a place where theres no space or time.'. 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.. 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. 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. Van Sant says its believed they were day workers or perhaps even been undocumented workers who disappeared after Kesse vanished. Jenn was spontaneous and adventurous, Rob said. Three days later, Keeses vehicle was found in an apartment complex parking lot less than a mile from where she lived. Her family still had no answers, and their frustrations were mounting. Thomas Mates produces News 6 at 5:30 and the podcast Florida Foodie. 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. The Orlando Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Dateline. In fact, she'd just moved. Both vehicles were reportedly wiped down inside before being abandoned. Its all me -- my family. After this, they said they arent sure there is anything left they can do. Jennifer Joyce Kesse seemed to have everything going for her. As the investigation began, Rob camped out on the couch at Jenns condo for weeks. 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. Wright's theory was that Kesse was abducted. Nothing out of the ordinary for someone getting ready for work. 16:19 EST 25 Jan 2021. Jenns purse, cell phone and iPod were nowhere to be found. Shannon joined the Eyewitness News team in 2013. There were no signs of struggle or forced entry. Sybert was charged with grand theft auto for taking Cummings vehicle and booked in jail. Anyone with information on Jenns disappearance is asked to call the Kesse family Tip Line at 941-201-4009. A private investigation team for the family is on the case. 5. CBS learned renovations were happening at the Orlando apartment complex where Kesse lived around the time of her disappearance. ORLANDO, Fla. - Tuesday marked 17 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared in Orlando. Drew and I are in our 60s. If shes not alive, we just want some kind of proof that shes not with us anymore. At a press conference, investigators said they had reason to believe Cummings was no longer alive, but they had not found her remains. The hardest part is being in limbo. 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. Its not like her to not show up for work. Attempts to phone her went straight to voicemailinvestigators later determined her phone had been turned off the night before. They made fliers and distributed them around the area, pleading for answers.