Advertisement. 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. The parents of Jennifer Kesse say they are "closer than ever" to uncovering answers in the disappearance of their. 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. But for the friends and family of 24 yea. Around noon on the day Jennifer disappeared, one of the cameras captured a person driving Jennifer's car. Tami: From the very beginning there were some uneasy things that I kind of brushed off that were red flags. In 2008, on the second anniversary of Jennifer's disappearance, family and friends gathered on a street corner in Orlando. Det. The weekend before Jennifer vanished, she had gone on a vacation with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, to Saint Croix, Virgin Islands. In 2008, Detective Wright and Sergeant Brennan analyzed the surveillance tape with "48 Hours.". Sgt. This week marks 17 years since the 24-year-old vanished in 2006 but there have been no arrests made. DETECTIVE WRIGHT: is there any reason why somebody would would say that was you? 48 Hours on ID is in Orlando, Florida, to investigate the abduction and presumed murder of Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared without a trace while making her way to work in 2006. Of course, she has her back to the apartment behind her. 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. Get todays headlines in minutes with Your Florida Daily: Copyright 2023 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Roger Brennan [at the parking lot in 2008] Apparently this video, when it films, captures every two to three seconds as it's filming, so that's why you only see the subject on one side of the gate and then the opposite side of the gate and he's blocked by the posts on either side of the gate. The U.S. Sun has reached out to Orlando Police for comment. Windermeres Feather & Quill restaurant closes, SEE: Brightline reaches maximum speed for first time, Heres a good way to get yourself killed: sheriff says after group of motorcyclists flee deputies, Update: Westbound lanes closed after multi-car crash on U.S. 192, according to traffic report, JoJos ShakeBAR to open Orlando restaurant this month. Again, the case stalled. And the forensic examination produced just a little as well a latent print and a small DNA fiber. And that was part of the development of him as a person of interest. Michael Torretta: She's locking the door and never sees it comin'. Rob Allen: That's just not something that even came in my mind. After years of working for the Kesses, private detective Michael Torretta says he has a new theory as to what he thinks could have happened to Jennifer. And also had people of different heights walk by. Jennifer Kesse's family marks 16 years since she vanished - WTSP Jennifer Kesse's car seen in eerie surveillance footage leaving major She got ready for work and left. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. From all appearances, Jennifer Kesse of Orlando, Florida was a happy, successful, well-adjusted 24-year-old woman with a bright future. Louis Bolden: If you had told me then, in 14 years we would still be looking for Jennifer Kesse, I would not have believed it. Joel Wright [2008]: Possibly wiped it. It was like being hit with a ton of bricks. 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 kno. Family refuses to give up search for Jennifer Kesse who vanished 14 Roger Brennan [2008]: As we were driving around the area around her complex, we were trying to identify different areas that her vehicle may have been seen. Unfortunately, no. The investigation and the hunt for what happened to Jennifer continues today. The next morning, her boyfriend became concerned when she failed to call or text him; unusually for Jennifer, her cellphone went straight to voicemail. Peter Van Sant [2008]: Did you sense somebody knew something? The pair grew up in Tampa, Florida, and Jennifer is described as having been an adventurous dynamo with a thirst for knowledge. And Chino is 5'9" -- taller than the figure's height estimated by police. It will be a miracle if she is, we just arent willing to say Oh well and leave it.". "The Orlando Police Department they worked it very hard," said Louis Bolden, an investigative reporter for WKMG in Orlando, who has covered the case since Jennifer Kesse went missing. Did David Tronnes murder his wife Shanti Cooper? Since her disappearance, there has been no activity on Jennifer's cell phone, bank accounts, social media accounts, etc. It was so out of character for Jennifer to not respond, her friends and family rushed to her condo. He said they were uncooperative. Jennifer Kesse: Found or Missing? Is Jennifer Kesse Alive or Dead? She is assumed to be dead, but a body has not been recovered, and nobody has been charged with her murder. When they left, one of the friends forgot his cell phone. Task force created to help solve Kesse disappearance - WFTV You know, getting married and having children and becoming a grownup and just living life; just having her life, you know. Was Jennifer Kesse Found? Then in 2010, Detective Wright was moved off the case. We've seen it time after time again with long term Missing persons cases. Today marks six months since Orlando's Jennifer Kesse was reported missing, after she did not show up for work. And they said, "Well you ruined the crime scene." Kesse was enjoying her job and had recently been on holiday with her boyfriend, seemingly having no personal problems that would force her into disappearing. When they arrived at the condo in the early afternoon, a building manager opened Jennifer's locked apartment. During the week she was gone, her brother and several friends had batched it in her condo. FL - Jennifer Kesse, 24, Orlando, 24 Jan 2006 - #13 Didn't appear that it was a car theft. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). Drew Kesse accused the Orlando Police Dept. Powered by WordPress.com VIP. Brennan shared evidence photos. In December, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement began a cold-case review of Jennifers disappearance to generate new leads. We wont rest till we bring you home, no matter how many years it takes. Bloodhounds tracked Kesse's scent from her vehicle back to her own residence. I had never seen anything of this magnitude. 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. Peter Van Sant: You opened the door and saw that? So, I'm heading now to his last known address where I'm hoping we can find him. David Tronnes murder his wife Shanti Cooper? And then is abducted by those individuals across the way. The phantom figure walked away in the direction of Jennifer's complex. ! Kesse wrote at the time. Chino with "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. In the years since her disappearance, her family and law enforcement have continued to search for clues to her whereabouts. The hole in our heart is forever there until we have an answer. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Lauren McCarthy: [emotional] seeing that tape of Jennifer's car that was probably the worst moment. But despite extensive searches, few clues to her alleged abduction have ever been found. Jennifer Kesse - Disappeared Is anyone feeling that the mom has strong narcissistic vibes, I worked on both cases. Several items were located inside the vehicle her cellphone, charger sandals and shoes Nothing appears to be disturbed in the vehicle at all. At the time Allen lived in Fort Lauderdale, three hours away from Orlando where Jennifer lived. Based on this evidence, police investigators believed that she had left her home and was abducted, either on the walk to her car, or while she was traveling to work. Tipsters may also call the crime line anonymously at 800-423-8477. He took and passed a polygraph test leaving the cops at another dead end. Joel Wright [2008] We know there was quite a bit of a renovation going on inside her complex. 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. At around noon on the day Jennifer went missing, the person drove into the parking lot, sat in the car for about 30 seconds and then walked away. I stood in a courtroom alone while a judge declared her deceased. We need her. But she says no one ever followed up with her. Rob Allen: You've got the bug. You don't recognize this figure? In January 2006, Jennifer Kesse's family and friends say she was on top of the world. Jennifer Kesse: Investigation into Orlando woman's disappearance turned Colleen, who asked to only use her first name, moved into the complex two years before Jennifer disappeared believing it was a safe place to live. Logan Kesse [2008]: [emotional] It's your sister, it's your family, it's your blood. 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. Was Jennifer Kesse abducted by a member of the military or a Missing: Jennifer Kesse - Craft N Crime They had no better luck with the forensics inside Jennifer's car. Sgt. "They are feeding off the work my guys have done for the past few years. However, the family has said as recently as 2022 that they are still working to get the complete unredacted file from the city. "I want to do my best and bring Jennifer Kesse home to them one day," he said. The Unsolved Disappearance of Jennifer Kesse - Medium It's been nearly 15 years since Jennifer Kesse was last seen. It didnt take this long. Jennifer Kesse was reported missing after she didn't show up to work on the morning of Jan. 24, 2006, according to WKMG. The disappearance of Jennifer Kesse 23 photos But, by early evening, when there was still no sign of Jennifer, police officially declared her missing. Colleen: He was apologetic. At the time of her disappearance, Jennifer worked as a finance manager at Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company in Ocoee. When her parents arrived at the condo, they discovered nothing was out of place. 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. "She had just bought her first condo with her own money," said Jennifer's father, Drew Kesse. Lauren McCarthy: Jennifer is super funny, super witty person. What was concerning about this was the area it was located is not an area frequented by Jennifer. Investigators could also find no possible motivation for herleaving voluntarily. They held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing, with the desperate hope that someone passing by knew something. Michael Torretta: When you talk about challenging investigations, this is the one. In January of 2006 she had just purchased a condo in Orlando, . Joel Wright [2008]: It's difficult to tell. Michael Torretta is a private investigator who works for the Kesses. (Drew Kesse) ORLANDO, Fla. - Drew Kesse, whose daughter Jennifer Kesse has been missing since Jan. 24,. He is pictured with her above Credit: Facebook/Find Jennifer Kesse 4 Jennifer vanished when she was 24 back in 2006 Credit: FBI Her father Drew's push to have the case looked at by state officials was given the green light last month. But, still, no one knew where Jennifer was. The Bizarre Disappearance of Jennifer Kesse - Rare And their conversation didn't end well. He was interviewed about Jennifer but denied having any involvement in her disappearance. And that's what I'm doing. She had no problem with me. People have been very generous with GoFundMe pages and help us continue what we are trying to do.". Drew Kesse: She just said, you know "there's a lot of workers here and they tend to like just stop when I'm walking by or going to my car. Sgt. And then, Tami says she caught a "peeping Tom" a man she believes was a worker at the complex. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. . Produced by Chris Young Ritzen, Tamara Weitzman and Gabriella Demirdjian. Many of these workers were non-English speakers, so due to the language barrier, the investigators had quite a bit of trouble interrogating them. Nathan Gibson. Peter Van Sant: How often would you socialize with him? We are with a good crew at state level now, I have known them for many, many years - I have been requesting it for many years - and finally we are in the right hands.. 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. Two days later, there was a breakthrough in the case when her black Chevy Malibu was located in the parking lot of a condo approximately one mile from her home. Last year Drew Kesse accused the Orlando Police Dept. Jennifer Kesse disappearance: 17 years later, family says they have new You saw all the workers at that complex. Jennifer Kesse Of Orlando Missing 7 Years | HuffPost Latest News Peter Van Sant: The last time police officially questioned Chino was back in 2009. Jennifer was last heard from alive after she spoke on the phone with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, on the evening of January 23, 2006. Jennifer Kesse was a successful young woman with a good job and a loving boyfriend . "It is Jennifers best opportunity to be found now, 17 years later. After years went by with no breaks in the case, Jennifer's parents sued the Orlando Police Department to get Jennifer's case file and won. 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. Please enter valid email address to continue. They feared that time was running out. Sgt. On Jan. 24,. there was footprints in my closet. As usual, when Jennifer left at around 6 p.m., she called her father while driving home. Michael Torretta: It's impossible to find those individuals. Drew Kesse: In my mind, it was "that person took my daughter. Chino: I met Jennifer Kesse. Michael Torretta: I'm looking through these 16,000 documents for something that might have been missed by the Orlando PD, the FDLE, maybe even the FBI who have had parts in this investigation. When we asked about Jennifer Kesse, Chino quickly reiterated that he was innocent. Jennifer had complained about construction workers who had been living and working near her condo and had recently made her feel uncomfortable. We immediately started asking everybody walking around if they had seen anything. Her 2004 Chevy Malibu was found two days later about a mile away from her condo. The next morning was when Jennifer didn't show up for work and didn't answer her phone. A private investigation team for . 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? His murder remains an unsolved mystery, but many believe someone close to him may have become jealous of his success. She carried pepper spray with her all the time. Orlando Police originally investigated the case but the family quickly lost faith and demanded action. But upon further investigation, police realized the cell tower data was misinterpreted, and she actually wasn't out that night. She spoke with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, on the phone around 10 pm that night. Jennifer Joyce Kesse - The Charley Project I don't hear helicopters in the air.". THE devastated family of missing Orlando woman Jennifer Kesse insists new hope has been breathed into the heartbreaking attempt to find her. Disappearance of Jennifer Kesse - Wikipedia OK, call the police again.". Long distance was taking a toll on their relationship. Peter Van Sant [2008]: What does that image tell you of that individual in front of the gate? But to the Kesses' frustration, the person caught on that camera could not be identified. Louis Bolden: Technology then was not what technology is now. There were a number of suspects on the detectives radar. We know that it is the public that in most cases solves or helps Missing people be found. He passed. Jennifers parents called the police immediately, but because of her age, they initially held off on any investigation. She deserved that. DET. He thinks it was one or more of these workers who abducted her on January 24, 2006. Back in 2008, the Kesses told "48 Hours" that while the condo appeared to be in order, they did notice that Jennifer's purse, keys and cellphone were missing. Joel Wright: I knew that Chino had been arrested for a sex crime. Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021. 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 . 17 years after Jennifer Kesse disappeared, family still searching I would say 75 percent of the time somebody was there . Det. That's the last anyone ever heard from her. Peter Van Sant: Now you were the maintenance man there. January 18, 2012 at 5:12 pm EST. Joyce Kesse: Her travel bag. That's where the mystery starts. Investigators think she was trying to find a mail box when . | Become a News 6 Insider]. Joyce Kesse: It's very, very hard to move forward. 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. No one has seen or heard from her since. Background Jennifer Kesse was born on May 20, 1981, in New Jersey to parents Drew Kesse and Joyce Gilmour. The car had been wiped down and the only things missing were Jennifers cell phone, iPod, keys, purse, briefcase, and the clothes she was wearing. As the hours went by, their panic became unbearable. Her car was found a few days later nearby but despite reward offers topping $100,000, Kesse has never been found. That person could have taken the time to wipe down the steering wheel and the rearview mirror or what have you. So, I did. Drew Kesse: So, at this point in time, the only people that are truly investigating what happened to Jennifer is us and our team. He called Jennifer and asked if she would mail it to him. The Strange Disappearance of Jennifer Kesse || Caught On Tape Lauren McCarthy: She was extremely safety conscious. I didn't like it. Friday marks 14 years since Jennifer Kesse vanished. He is pictured with her above, Jennifer vanished when she was 24 back in 2006, Kesse's father Drew is hopeful of new leads on the 17th anniversary of her mysterious disappearance, Surveillance video of an unidentified person getting out of Jennifer Kesse's car after she vanished is seen above. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. First published on October 24, 2020 / 11:01 PM. Peter Schweitzer is the senior producer. My heart is here. Its positive in that respect, we have met the new detective and are able to move forward. Surveillance video caught an unidentified person getting out of her car after she went missing. By the gait And someone with pretty big feet for his height is the information we've been getting. Contact the . They can then be seen walking away from the car; however, frustratingly, their face was obscured by a fence. (Featured Image Credit: CBS News / 48 Hours). The 24-year-old has been missing for 15 years after vanishing one morning while heading out to work. While the car was taken by a forensics team, there was little evidence to be found in her vehicle. We firmly believe the departments negligence and lack of competency cost Jennifer the chance to be found.. Drew Kesse: That was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life. S3 Ep114: Jennifer Kesse: "Chino" (Part 3) - Crime Weekly | Podcast on . The housekeeper said the phantom figure's walk, clothing and hair style resembled a man she knew from the complex named Chino, but she could not be sure it was him. Chino was a name Detective Wright had not heard before. Louis Bolden: At the time, we thought, "They want what? When police opened the trunk, Jennifer wasn't there. Jennifer Kesse - Forensic Tales