That person could have taken the time to wipe down the steering wheel and the rearview mirror or what have you. 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. The suspect was short and slight. She was just really happy. One theory is that Kesse may have been attacked by a construction worker at her condo. Detective Joel Wright was still trying to solve this confounding mystery. Around noon on the day Jennifer disappeared, one of the cameras captured a person driving Jennifer's car. The Case of Jennifer Kesse- 17 Years of Disappearance Now we have some of our own questions we'd like to ask. But under the agreement, the Orlando Police Department would no longer lead the investigation. She received numerous job offers and took a job at Central Florida Investments Timeshare Company in Ococee, Florida. 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. Joel Wright: There were an unbelievable amount of man hours went into this case. Red Huber/Orlando Sentinel/TNS/Alamy Live News. So I think they were scared. I just can't give it up unless I know of a stronger alibi, because 14 years later there still aren't any answers as to what happened to Jennifer Kesse, and it had to have been someone. Joyce Kesse: We all along have felt that she was abducted in the morning. But the person could not be identified because the surveillance video captured a photo every three seconds and each time the figure's face was obstructed by a fence post. Joel Wright: I put just the name Chino into a leads tracking system and one tip did come up. Her parents did notice, however, that Jennifer's phone, keys and purse were missing. Everything You Need to Know About the WICKED Movie, TALKING IT OUT Virtual Film Festival to Open Next Week, Donna Benedicto Admitted Into The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Even though Rob lived in Fort Lauderdale, about 3 hours from Jennifer's condo in Orlando. 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. Peter Van Sant [2008]: Do you think the car was cleaned by someone? Peter Van Sant: How often would you socialize with him? Unconcluded is a real-time investigative true crime series focused on the 2006 disappearance of Jennifer Kesse (Orlando, FL). On the two-year anniversary of Jennifer Kesse's disappearance, her family and friends gathered on a street corner and held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing. And you could sense that, and you can feel that . Jennifer had shared with family and friends that the workers made her uneasy. 2020 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. That was the last time he would ever speak to Jennifer again. Jennifer Kesse was a fun-loving, responsible and career-minded young woman. Then, two days after her disappearance, police found Jennifer's car. I don't hear helicopters in the air.". A couple said they saw it swerving out of her apartment complex at around 7:40 a.m. Det. It does not explain the logistics associated with two vehicles unless the co-worker parked at Mosaic or nearby before they abducted her or took the bus to Mosaic. Surveillance footage shows an unknown individual parking Kesses vehicle at the apartment complex around noon on January 24. 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. Explore the latest news & podcasts. she locks the door. Her disappearance was truly a mystery. Detective Wright learned Chino used to live in another building at Jennifer Kesse's condo complex and was a former maintenance worker there. Peter Van Sant: Based on your experience is there a possibility what this person threw in that pond was her body? They immediately moved into Jennifer's condo to be close to the investigation. Rob Allen: Because someone must have seen something. It explains the haphazard way the 2004 Chevy Malibu Jennifer Kesse drove was left at Huntington on the Green. Drew Kesse: It was never secured by Orlando Police. But she says he fled in a white van. Jennifer's father, Drew, thought after seeing the footage. Det. After months of legal wrangling, in March 2019, they all reached a settlement. It all suggests that whatever happened likely occurred after she had left her home that morning. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. North Carolina Cop, Wife Found Shot Dead in Fayetteville Home, We Have Zero Leads: $80,000 Reward Offered for Information Leading to Man Who Gunned Down Texas Family, Missing: 18-Year-Old Mom Takes Toddler Son From Dads During Supervised Visit, missing Florida woman who vanished nearly 15 years ago. Louis Bolden: Technology then was not what technology is now. Two days after Jennifer Kesse went missing, her black Chevy Malibu was found in another condo complex parking lot approximately 1 mile away from where she lived. The Kesses have taken on the investigation themselves after being frustrated with the lack of results from law enforcement. Went outside of her condo locked the door on the way out. is produced by Chris Young Ritzen, Tamara Weitzman and Gabriella Demirdjian. The surveillance video took a photo every 3 seconds and each time, the person's face was obstructed by a fence post. Fed up, the Kesses then made a dramatic move. 0:15. Det. Shortly after she vanished, Kesse's car was discovered parked around a mile from her home. . When he showed the woman the security camera photo of the unidentified person, she told him it resembled a man she knew from the complex known as Chino because of his hair, clothing and the way he walked. The rest of the home looked like a maid had been there . Clockwise from top left, Ashley, Peter Van Sant, Colleen and Tami. It does not explain why someone who planned an abduction did not take the time to choose a better spot to leave her car than a place that has a sign in the pool area clearly stating surveillance cameras are in use. In all, the Orlando Police Department handed over more than 16,000 pages of documents and 67 hours of video and audio to the Kesses. If you would like to change your settings or withdraw consent at any time, the link to do so is in our privacy policy accessible from our home page.. Rob had no idea that it would be the last time he would ever hear her voice. reported by "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. This adds credence to my theory - Hispanics tend to be shorter in stature. It explains why none of Jennifer Kesse's items were left on the ground near her car indicative of a struggle. Det. And much like the co-worker theory, it does not explain why others who worked at Mosaic would not have been suspicious of one of their own workers if they are not involved. So, I did. I mean, we probably have at least three times more in boxes of this. And that's what I'm doing. Roger Brennan [2008]: We didn't come up with any solid leads of anybody who saw Jennifer, saw anybody park her vehicle here. "You have that initial hope like we found the car, it's only going to be a matter of time before we find Jennifer," said Jennifer's boyfriend, Rob Allen. They were immediately worried. And how fast can we find that person?". The hit Broadway musical Wicked is officially coming to the big screen! ORLANDO, Fla. - It's been nearly 15 years since Jennifer Kesse vanished from her Orlando condominium . In this type of stranger spontaneous abduction, this is extremely important. I had an ex boyfriend once who would not let the relationship go. Peter Van Sant: Now you were the maintenance man there. Peter Van Sant: Where were you the morning of January 24th, 2006? She was on a cloud. If it was one of them, how did they know she had returned? 4 . Continue with Recommended Cookies. After Chino's name came up multiple times, the Kesse team was anxious to talk to him. Rob Allen: You've got the bug. On the two-year anniversary of Jennifer Kesse's disappearance, her family and friends gathered on a street corner and held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing. By the time they took it seriously, we had 14 people in the condo. Joel Wright: It told me that he passed the polygraph. Detective Joel Wright was one of the original investigators. That's where the mystery starts. The car was moving erratically, the witness told FOX News. "There are people out there who know exactly what happened to Jennifer Kesse," says Michael Torretta, a private investigator hired by Kesse's parents. A single stranger abductor saw an opportunity and took it. Two days after Jennifer's disappearance, a local news report aired a story with photos of her missing Chevy Malibu. Drew Kesse: We have film of the car being dropped off . Kesses family went to her unit around noon on Jan. 24 and did not see anything out of place. Sponsors in this Episode: Native Deodorant (nativedeodorant.com promo code 'UNCONCLUDED . It fits the generic worker description of the person on the HOTG surveillance video walking away from Jennifer Kesse's car. She got ready for work and left. [Takes a deep breath with tears in her eyes]. Orlando Police Department via Kesse Family. Chino needs to be spoken to again. Her family says she told them the workers made her feel uneasy. And also had people of different heights walk by. "That was one of the hardest things I've ever done in my life," Drew Kesse said. Det. Link contains a photo of Jennifer, an age progression photo, a photo of the person who dropped off her car, and information about the case. While she was gone, her brother and some of his friends, including an ex, stayed in her apartment. Theories #1: What Happened to Jennifer Kesse? - Websleuths For those unfamiliar, Jennifer Kesse went missing in 2006 from Orlando Florida. When the Kesses who lived two hours away arrived at Jennifer's condo, nothing seemed to be out of place. She spoke to her friend, parents, and boyfriend on the phone the night before she disappeared, and was reported missing the next morning when she didn't show up for work. We immediately started asking everybody walking around if they had seen anything. 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?". DREW KESSE: We don't have her. The man/woman who dropped off the car was caught on camera, but his/her face was obscured by fencing in the foreground of the surveillance video. Sgt. Det. A new witness has also been found. We just want our daughter back, for the good or the bad, Drew Kesse told FOX News. The Kesses hope that the revelation about the apparent struggle on the hood of their daughters car may lead to new tips about the case. I would say 75 percent of the time somebody was there . Because there were posters There were billboards. 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? I also want to point out that nothing about Jennifer's ex suggests that he was involved in any way. The condo complex where Jennifer lived was going through a renovation, and many of the construction workers were also living in the empty apartments at the complex while they were doing the renovation. Again, the case stalled. Whatever happened to Jennifer, happened fast., No tip is too small, unimportant, or insignificant. Peter Van Sant [2008]: Did you sense somebody knew something? It makes a lot more sense than some of the other theories thrown around the case. For those unfamiliar, Jennifer Kesse went missing in 2006 from Orlando Florida. DETECTIVE WRIGHT: how did you get into the condo? Michael Torretta: That was one of the most shocking parts of this investigation. It seemed like she almost disappeared out of thin air. Drew Kesse: So, at this point in time, the only people that are truly investigating what happened to Jennifer is us and our team. She moved into the complex just weeks after Jennifer disappeared. In 2018, Orlando Rolon became the Orlando police chief. Michael Torretta has a new theory as to what he thinks might have happened to Jennifer Kesse on the day she vanished. Nancy Kramer is the executive story editor. 24-year-old vanishes, leaving little clues - NBC News Getting along fine? And he says there is nothing in the files indicating that police ever spoke to them. The photos look suspicious and show what appears to be a hand mark going across the hood, Torretta told the news outlet. Peter Van Sant: And what did that tell you? At the time of her disappearance, Kesse's condo complex was undergoing renovations. Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. Peter Van Sant [2008]: What do you know about this person's height? Orlando, FL - Jennifer Kesse and Her Mysterious Disappearance But most importantly, it does not explain how no one recognized this person from the HOTG surveillance video. They held up signs, just as they had done the day Jennifer went missing, with the desperate hope that someone passing by knew something. When detectives reviewed surveillance video from the complex where Jennifer's car was discovered, they saw a person parking her car. Michael Torretta: She's locking the door and never sees it comin'. Jennifer Kesse disappearance: Newly released police photos suggest The family of amissing Florida woman who vanished nearly 15 years agohopes new clues may finally lead to answers about what happened to her,FOX News reports. 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 vanished. The family of a missing Florida woman who vanished nearly 15 years ago hopes new clues may finally lead to answers about what happened to her, FOX News reports. She was born on May 20, 1981, to her parents, Drew and Joyce Kesse in New Jersey. It's busy, locks the door of her condo. Sgt. Mayim Bialik shares what she knows about upcoming spin-off of The Big Bang Theory coming . When she didn't show up for work on January 24, 2006, her friends and family immediately knew that something was terribly wrong. I'm just projecting my own experience onto Jennifer, but people make unusual decisions sometimes. It's just difficult not having her, you know, she's like my other half so [wipe away tears] I just miss talking to her. If Jennifer Kesse stopped for car trouble, why did police not find anything wrong with her car? It was updated on July 10, 2021.]. Peter Van Sant [2008]: What do you believe happened? "48 Hours" agreed not to use his full name. The person of interest in the surveillance video appeared to be wearing all white, so investigators began questioning food service and health care workers and painters. And, how fast can we find that person?'" Chino. JENNIFER KESSE - SUSPECTS and THEORIES and NEW EVIDENCEJoin this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIM7B3NhioaqwNyHnu9YL0g/join. Scan this QR code to download the app now, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUwhUPGXeUE. We want closure. Chino with "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at Millenia. In 2010, Detective Wright was reassigned. For the latest true crime and justice news,subscribe to the Crime Stories with Nancy Grace podcast. 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]: When that car was found, we jumped all over it. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Replies analysing and speculating over the mystery and possible explanations are encouraged. But according to Torretta, the police files don't list everyone who was questioned. Ashley: He had the opportunity to tell me and he didn't. "I want to do my best and bring Jennifer Kesse home to them one day," he said. Peter Van Sant: You had nothing to do with her disappearance? Despite being more than 200 miles away when Jennifer disappeared, Rob was suddenly a person of interest. According to Torretta, "It's impossible to find those individuals. There's nothing in there that indicates that there were problems at the Mosaic. If he committed another crime later, he would not make the same mistake again. He says when he reviewed the files, he was amazed at what police didn't do and who they didn't speak with. Please enter valid email address to continue. The parents of Jennifer Kesse say they are "closer than ever" to uncovering answers in the disappearance of their. 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. 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. The Girl Who Disappeared Without A Trace | by KD Writes | Wonder Doreen Schechter is the producer editor. Monday evening, January 23, 2006 ,at around 10 p.m., Jennifer Kesse spoke to Rob Allen on the phone. She spoke to her friend, parents, and boyfriend on the phone the night before she disappeared, and was reported missing the next morning when she didn't show up for work. Who knows what would've happened if this heinous crime hadn't been committed? They had no better luck with the forensics inside Jennifer's car. She graduated with honours in 2003 with a degree in finance. I had never heard of that happening. She might not have had a chance to fight back, Torretta told FOX News. It's been more than 15 years since 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse vanished from her Orlando condominium. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. Joel Wright: Some of the people who were working on the property left. Lauren McCarthy: She was extremely safety conscious. At the time she disappeared, Kesses building was being converted from apartments to condos, and construction workers were at the property frequently. She showered, got dressed. Chief Orlando Rolon: The family wants closure. Con's: It does not explain why Jennifer Kesse's car is parked at Huntington on the Green. Det. Maybe he tossed his sweater in the hamper before passing out. And the HOTG video shows someone who seemed to have trouble being able to park her car around noon on January 24, 2006. Tami: From the very beginning there were some uneasy things that I kind of brushed off that were red flags. 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. Michael Torretta: What I'm thinking is Jennifer comes out. But upon further investigation, police realized the cell tower data was misinterpreted, and she actually wasn't out that night. Colleen: When I would come home from work, there would be a large group of men outside drinking. "The hole in our heart is forever there until we have an answer. I didn't like it. Jennifer Kesse was a beautiful, intelligent, and independent 24-year-old with everything going for her. Wouldn't they have known there were many empty units? If the car is not a part of the abduction itself, you do not make it a part of it unless it is necessary. Sgt. Judy Tygard is the executive producer. The Kesses have dedicated more than 15 years of their lives to finding the truth about what happened to their daughter on the morning of January 24, 2006.