Peter Van Sant: There's no list of names of who was staying in which apartment? Getting along fine? Jennifer Kesse: Family marks 17 years since her dissapearance Christie joined the ClickOrlando team in November 2021. Jennifer Kesse, 24, disappeared from Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 24, 2006. People have been very generous with GoFundMe pages and help us continue what we are trying to do.". Please enter valid email address to continue. It was like being hit with a ton of bricks. Investigators then went to check the security cameras at Jennifer's condo complex, but there weren't any -- just a security guard who was supposed to log names and license numbers of visitors. The Investigation In February 2006, investigators found Jennifer Kesse's black. Start to work. Chino needs to be spoken to again. But a woman -- who wants to be called Ashley had a different opinion of Chino. The hole in our heart is forever there until we have an answer. When Jennifer didn't come home after 48 hours, the police began investigating her whereabouts in earnest. This station is part of Cox Media Group Television. The next morning was when Jennifer didn't show up for work and didn't answer her phone. When she didnt show up for work on January 24, 2006, without calling in to explain - despite having an important meeting -fellow employees contacted her parents to express their concern. I would say 75 percent of the time somebody was there . 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. Private Investigator Michael Torretta says he has gone through the more than 16,000-page case file at least three times. Tipsters may also call the crime line anonymously at 800-423-8477. Rob had no idea that it would be the last time he would ever hear her voice. Jennifer Kesse's father shares dark fears over his daughter's fate as And now with the case files in their possession, they are more determined than ever to keep their daughter's story alive. / CBS News, [This story first aired on October 24, 2020. Jennifer Kesse, age 24, was a young woman who had a full life to look forward to with everything going for her. She was on a cloud. Chino was then asked about the pictures -- the ones that the housekeeper said may have looked like him: DETECTIVE WRIGHT [2009 audio tape]: you know the photos that you looked at earlier the guy walking by the gate? Chino [talking to a woman in his home]: Mi amor. A couple said they saw it swerving out of her apartment complex at around 7:40 a.m. Det. Joyce Kesse: Her travel bag. She is assumed to be dead, but a body has not been recovered, and nobody has been charged with her murder. I mean, we probably have at least three times more in boxes of this. Chief Orlando Rolon: After the number of years that we have spent trying to solve Jennifer's disappearance, I think it was time to also honor the wishes of the family. Her ex, recently upset and wishing to get back together with her, was cleared. Rob Allen: Because someone must have seen something. I just think of Jennifer all the time. She's dragged into the other apartment. Jennifer Kesse's Family Sees Evidence Of Struggle In Car Photos | Crime When they came up with no new leads, he made the unprecedented decision to finally release the files to the Kesses. And they just look.". The Bizarre Disappearance of Jennifer Kesse - Rare I had never seen anything of this magnitude. Joel Wright: It told me that he passed the polygraph. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement). During the week she was gone, her brother and several friends had batched it in her condo. She was reported missing on January 24, 2006. Jennifer was last heard from alive after she spoke on the phone with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, on the evening of January 23, 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. They feared that time was running out. Police release age-progressed photo of Jennifer Kesse who went missing Jennifer had complained about construction workers who had been living and working near her condo and had recently made her feel uncomfortable. In an unexpected move, detectives summoned boyfriend Rob Allen to meet them at Jennifer's car. 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. Drew Kesse: So, to me, they don't have DNA. She did look familiar. JOYCE KESSE: Where is she? Drew Kesse: It was never secured by Orlando Police. 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. Drew Kesse: And we just wish that one person that knows something in Orlando would just finally say it. Jennifer Kesse has not been seen since 2006. Parents of Jennifer Kesse take over investigation in hopes of solving I do not recognize that person. "I just need to know my daughter has been found, for good or bad. (Featured Image Credit: CBS News / 48 Hours). Peter Van Sant: Do you know of anyone who might have been involved in Jennifer Kesse's disappearance? The Kesses have dedicated their lives and weathered enormous financial hardship to finding the truth of what happened to their beautiful 24-year old daughter on that January morning in 2006. "She had just bought her first condo with her own money," said Jennifer's father, Drew Kesse. At every turn, the detectives kept coming up empty and the case was going cold. He was interviewed about Jennifer but denied having any involvement in her disappearance. Chief Rolon gave his investigators six months to work the case. Michael Torretta: She's locking the door and never sees it comin'. 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. July 10, 2021 / 11:06 PM 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. We need to see what's inside that carpet. Joyce Kesse: The workers made her feel uncomfortable. 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. And what about that photo taken by security cameras? They held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing, with the desperate hope that someone passing by knew something. They have a photo of the person parking her car, but his face is obscured by the fence. Of course, she has her back to the apartment behind her. But that evening Jennifer spoke with Rob. Jennifer Kesse, a UCF graduate, was abducted from Orlando, Florida in 2006. In the years since her disappearance, her family and law enforcement have continued to search for clues to her whereabouts. Video surveillance showed an unidentified person parking the car and walking away from it. Joel Wright: There were an unbelievable amount of man hours went into this case. Do you, This was definitely in IL because we are friends with, Hi. That Friday, January 27th, the Kesse family was made aware of the video footage from HOTG of Jennifer's car as well as the driver who, at this . No one has heard from her since. This meant there were. 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. And then, Tami says she caught a "peeping Tom" a man she believes was a worker at the complex. Joel Wright [2008]: We've done quite a bit of measuring and work with the camera angles. Logan Kesse [2008]: It didn't feel right. Ashley: I remember him being fun and friendly, talkative. 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. Kesse was a graduate of Gaither High School in Tampa. Lauren McCarthy and Jennifer were best friends since childhood. And Chino is 5'9" -- taller than the figure's height estimated by police. Chino agreed to take a lie detector test. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at. She had newly purchased a condominium with her own money no small feat for someone who was just 24. 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. And I said, "are you kidding me?". That's the last anyone ever heard from her. Rob Allen: When the police officer asked me to follow with him and to look at the inside of the car and the inside of the trunk, my stomach was churning as far as, "What could you find, you know?". Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Crime Stories with Nancy Grace: Jennifer Kesse, 24, Disappears Was Jennifer Kesse abducted by a member of the military or a He said they were uncooperative. And that was part of the development of him as a person of interest. Did he know more than he had admitted? Jennifer Kesse disappearance: 17 years since she vanished | wtsp.com Kesse was just 24-years-old when she went missing on January 24, 2006. Louis Bolden: The community just rallied. Joel Wright stated he believes the abduction took place in the morning due to a tip he received on Thursday, the day Jennifer's car was found. . Michael Torretta: I think it's important because it paints a picture that I don't believe I would have gotten from the 16,000 documents. While the Orlando Police Dept. He's hoping to find new clues as to who could have abducted Jennifer Kesse. Colleen says she complained to the leasing office manager. 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. Joyce Kesse: A lot of your day laborers are, um, not here, uh, legally. And the name Chino came up again -- that maintenance worker at Jennifer's complex. Unfortunately, no. Tronnes said she slipped and fell into the bathtub in a tragic accident, but detectives say he murdered her when she threatened to cut off the cash flow for his housing renovations. Several items were located inside the vehicle her cellphone, charger sandals and shoes Nothing appears to be disturbed in the vehicle at all. In fact, she'd just moved. Roger Brennan [2008]: We're going through canvases of areas that she would travel or that she might be at. In 2019, local police came out with a dive team, but no carpet was found. Drew Kesse: I think they wanted to open the trunk in front of him to see his reaction if, in case Jennifer was in there. 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. Kevin Dean and Gary Winter are the editors. January 24, 2006, Jennifer didn't show up for work. By using this website, you accept the terms of our Visitor Agreement and Privacy Policy, and understand your options regarding Ad Choices. The day before she disappeared, Jennifer and her fianc returned from a cruise. ", Drew made a dark prediction about her fate, telling The U.S. Sun: "We doubt very much that Jennifer is still alive. In January of 2006 she had just purchased a condo in Orlando, . Jennifer received three promotions in It -- it wasn't a great feeling. I stood in a courtroom alone while a judge declared her deceased. In the years since her disappearance, her family and law enforcement have. There's a lot of information that could have been developed that I believe wasn't in the most critical hours of this investigation. "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. The case centers on Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared on January 24, 2006, when she didn't show up for work. Jennifer Joyce Kesse was born on May 20, 1981 to parents Drew and Joyce Kesse. Jennifer Kesse Disappears. Joel Wright [2008]: Now the clothing looks to be maybe someone who is a painter or some type of worker. Jennifer Kesse: New clues revealed nearly 15 years after Florida woman Shortly after she vanished, Kesse's car was discovered parked around a mile from her home. "I have had five this week - its the time of year with it being the date of her disappearance but it never stops. Peter Van Sant: So, these are just some of your daughter's case files? Drew Kesse: We were probably on the road within 5 minutes. We want closure. 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. The average height for an American white man is 5'9 and a half. She spoke with her boyfriend, Rob Allen, on the phone around 10 pm that night. Chief Orlando Rolon: The family wants closure. Detective Joel Wright was one of the original investigators. This week will mark 17 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared from her Orlando area apartment complex on Jan 24. The effort our investigators have put forward to get us to this point has been incredible. The same ones whom Jennifer had complained about to her friends and family, saying how on several occasions, they catcalled and harassed her. Later that night when there was still no sign of her, police officially declared Jennifer missing. It was only on January 26 that a tenant of a nearby complex saw Jennifers story on the news and informed authorities that her car was abandoned in front of their apartment the day she went missing. But she says he fled in a white van. But now, 16 years later, her parents, who have been . "It is Jennifers best opportunity to be found now, 17 years later. And that's what I'm doing. Louis Bolden: You could go to any part of town, and everyone knew Jennifer Kesse's name and they knew her face. Immediately, those who knew her knew something was terribly wrong. Peter Van Sant: Why is what the woman at the Mosaic told you important? The disappearance of Jennifer Kesse - CBS News She was the oldest of two children, and is said to have been best friends with her little brother, Logan. 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse was last seen in Orlando, Florida on January 24, 2006. Joel Wright [2008]: It's difficult to tell. 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? 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. Her family has been tirelessly searching for the Tampa Bay-area native for the last 17 years and said new help from state law enforcement is her "best opportunity. There's no lease. She always texted or called Rob before leaving for work, but she did neither that day, which was extremely strange. There's nothing in there that indicates that there were problems at the Mosaic. In January 2006, Jennifer Kesse's family and friends say she was on top of the world. of negligence in the investigation. But sadly, this person, whose physical features were not clear in the video due to angling and fences concealing their face, was not recognized by anyone. 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. After Chino's name came up multiple times, the Kesse team was anxious to talk to him. There were hundreds of people that came out. And how fast can we find that person?". Roger Brennan [2008]: This is the interior of Jennifer's car as we found it. Joel Wright: She did look at the photo and said, "That looks like Chino.". 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 . Ashley: He came over to my condo quite a bit. At the time Allen lived in Fort Lauderdale, three hours away from Orlando where Jennifer lived. DETECTIVE WRIGHT: how did you get into the condo? 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. The dust also appears to show fingers being dragged along the hood. Before we left, Chino even agreed to talk with the Kesse team. Now, nearly 15 years later, evidence photos obtained by Fox News suggest a violent . The surveillance video took a photo every 3 seconds and each time, the person's face was obstructed by a fence post. FDLE, in conjunction with Orlando Police, essentially restarted the investigation into the Orlando womans 2006 disappearance. The pair grew up in Tampa, Florida, and Jennifer is described as having been an adventurous dynamo with a thirst for knowledge. She was declared dead by the State of Florida. Lauren McCarthy: The searches were massive. The Kesses are offering $15,000 as a reward for valuable information on where Jennifer could be at this time. There were no signs of a struggle. Michael Torretta: I want to do my best and bring Jennifer Kesse home to them one day. On that day, the Kesses learned their daughter did not report for work at Central . She and her boyfriend, Rob Allen had been together for over a year, and even though it was long-distance, they were making it work. Joel Wright | Orlando Police Department: It appeared that somebody was fighting over control of the car. Logan Kesse [2008]: [emotional] It's your sister, it's your family, it's your blood. That afternoon Jennifer's brother, Logan, began to question some of the construction workers at the complex. Jennifer's car had been seen the morning she disappeared. "I want to do my best and bring Jennifer Kesse home to them one day," he said. 9 things to know about the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse "We got a phone call," said Joyce, "'Was Jennifer OK?'". Joyce Kesse: Jenn shared every detail about the trip. In many of these instances, the person involved may well have seemed to just vanish from the surface of the Earth, leaving behind almost no evidence of what happened to them. 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. But when they did, no leads were discovered. "OK, call the hospitals again. The investigation and the hunt for what happened to Jennifer continues today. Brennan shared evidence photos. 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: He was familiar with the case. Det. 3. Inside The Unsolved Disappearance Of Jennifer Kesse But it did. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Det. 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. Jennifer Kesse's Car Was Recovered Barely A Mile From Her Home - But No 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. 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). Roger Brennan [2008]: There was some vacuuming samples taken from each section of the vehicle that were subsequently sent off to the lab for evaluation. By the time they took it seriously, we had 14 people in the condo. She had just returned from a 5-day trip to St. Croix with her long-distance boyfriend of one year. For the Kesse family, Jennifer has not aged in their eyes since the day that she vanished. Det. Her parents also continue to pursue leads, hoping to one day either find her or her remains. Det. 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.