FL - Jennifer Kesse, 24, Orlando, 24 Jan 2006 - #1

[lostfaith]

11 PM EST - WFTV Newscast - Update

A phone call & a potential new lead in the search for Jennifer led police & swat team members to an Orange County home. But - the would-be rescue turned into a big letdown.

WFTV (Channel 9) cameras were there as swat team members raided the 2 houses on 40th street near Rio Grande Ave. (BAD AREA!)

A tip came in to the police communications unit this afternoon saying that Jennifer Kesse was alive and being held captive in a room in a boarding house. The detectives said the call was credible and had specific information but this turned out not to be true.

The Orange Co. Swat Team raided room after room at the boarding house looking for Jen or any sign she had been there.

An old man was interviewed - he said he hadn't seen her. The LE also checked an abandoned house right next door.

Detective, when interviewed, said there was nothing to indicate that she was there. They are still checking things out & following up.

The detective (Richard Ring?) took the call from the tipster at home this afternoon. Two other detectives met with the caller and the group decided the information was good. The raid was organized in just 4 hours.

The detective said they were hoping for a "Cinderella ending" but it didn't happen. He said patrol officers have heard rumors on the street that Jennifer is still alive which does give him hope. Said "leads" are still coming in & that they were going to work this case to it's conclusion. Said they were hoping to find Jen alive but that they are prepared for whatever they run in to.

The detective also stressed that there may be people involved in this that simply ended up in it without being "the main person" responsible. Detectives are urging those people to come forward now before it is too late.

The Kesses asked the public to keep calling tips in even though many of them may turn out to be wrong. They stressed that they were not going away. Not going to stop looking for Jen.

Drew said: New strategy starting today. Instead of relying on volunteers - the Kesse family wants businesses & groups to hand out flyers with pictures of Jennifer to clients & members. They are asking any company, group, church, etc to help distribute the information. Said they would deliver the flyers to those who called & offered help.

The Kesses also spoke of the phone call from Beth Twitty and the comfort she gave them.

Don't know if this story is on their website yet. I was typing as fast as I could while the segment was on so please excuse errors.

Freezing temps here tonight - going to cover tender plants and gp back to the Olympics.

13th Juror

Wow! I wonder if her parents were aware this was all going down? How stressful for them, and then to not find her. The police actually met with the tipster, so they know who he is. I am sure they will question him again. Could it be that whoever had her was tipped off and they moved her? Sounds like they are getting info. that she is alive, I hope so! Maybe if they go over that building with a fine tooth comb, they might find some evidence that she was there.

 

[13th Juror]

Wow! I wonder if her parents were aware this was all going down? How stressful for them, and then to not find her.

The police actually met with the tipster, so they know who he is. I am sure they will question him again.

Could it be that whoever had her was tipped off and they moved her?

Sounds like they are getting info. that she is alive, I hope so! Maybe if they go over that building with a fine tooth comb, they might find some evidence that she was there.

Good afternoon, LostFaith & all

Yes, the Kesse parents were aware of the tip 'in advance' and were waiting "very hopefully" at Jennifer's condo as the raid went down.

And yes, I agree - that must have been extremely stressful for the Kesse family. My heart truly goes out to them! They are real troopers and seem to be staying strong & focused on the goal instead of falling apart. Exactly what Jennifer & the investigation needs right now - so, huge kudos to them!!

One of the WFTV field reporters interviewed them after the tip turned up 'empty'. That's when they said they were still hopeful - they were NOT going away and asked the public to please continue to call in tips. Also gave the newest strategy info about businesses, corporations, churches & groups distributing their 'missing flyers'.

I don't have answers to any other questions but I do agree with you that LE will certainly be following up closely with the tipster they met with on Sunday.

13th Juror

 

[lostfaith]

News story about the raid.

http://www.wftv.com/news/7000940/detail.html


Sgt. Ring spoke to the tipster himself Sunday afternoon. Two other detectives met with the caller in person. Four hours later, they raided the building. The tipster was so credible, they believed it was the information they'd been waiting for.

Police said Kesse may still be alive. Detectives said patrol officers who work the street have heard talk that Kesse is still alive, which was why Sunday night's tip was treated with such urgency.

 

[lostfaith]

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Jennifer Kesse's family isn't giving up hope, but there will no longer be large volunteer searches. The Kesse family will instead rely more on businesses and groups to get the word out about Jennifer.



http://www.wftv.com/news/7001133/detail.html

 

[Alice253]

I hope and pray that Jennifer is still alive. If she is, I can't help but wonder how much longer she will remain that way if the perps are starting to feel the heat.

 

[strach304]

If she was abducted and being held somewhere what is the motive? Ransom, sex slave to some pervert? What I found odd in a recent report was LE claims word on the street is that she is alive. What does that mean? I'm well aware there are informants and what not but it goes right back to motive for me. Why would street people know anything about an abduction of someone like Jennifer? Surely they could know about the abductor but if they know the who have they told police and this is what the raid was about? I think so because of LE making a plea for anyone with knowledge but not involved in the crime to come forward. They seem like cryptic messages to me, they know the who and why but not where?

 

[13th Juror]

Good morning sleuthers

As everyone knows, that has been following the case of Jennifer's disappearance - she & her boyfriend had just returned from a caribbean vacation in St. Croix, V.I.. That was on a Monday morning (3 weeks ago) before being reported "missing" on the following Tuesday morning.

WKMG - local6.com - ran a film piece on the early evening news last night. It was an interview with 'Jen's Ft. Lauderdale boyfriend'. He has a name. "Rob Allen". (looks tall - 6 ft (?) and has a very short haircut, like a crewcut - blondish, I'd say.)

Rob said he met Jen about a year ago in downtown Orlando and corresponded with her for awhile as the relationship grew. He said his interest started with her physical looks but that Jen was also very smart, very caring & compassionate. Rob said that Jen was his 'best friend' as well as his girlfriend.

He said that they had a great vacation together and that Jen met a couple of his good friends. Said it's a totally relaxing time anytime he's in the islands. (I noticed that he's well-spoken & has a bit of a british (?) accent - not real prominent, but it's definitely there.)

Rob said he was apparently the last known person to have talked with Jen. He called her Monday evening (10 pm) and that Jen was exhausted from the long day. They said they missed each other n' wished they were still in St. Croix spending time together. He said it was very frustrating that he can't call her - can't talk to her as well as can't hold her, kiss her.

Rob still sends text messages every day to Jennifer's phone. Said maybe "force of nature" - it's therapeutic for him. Said - "I'm not stupid either - I know that there could be a negative outcome."

Rob said he's not focusing on the 'unknown' and trying to stay positive. Said - every night when he goes to sleep, he thinks of Jen - "I think of times we've spent together and times we're going to spend together."

Since Jen's disappearance, Rob has spent every weekend up here in Orlando with her family helping with the search. He said he will continue to do so until Jen is found or a conclusion is reached. Said - with Jen's disappearance - his nightmare is just beginning.

Vanessa Medina conducted the interview that was clearly heavily edited. Many sound-bites taken from the whole.

Also - news reported that many more 'tips' are coming in since the "raid" and police are busy following up on everything.

13th Juror

 

[lostfaith]

13th Juror...Thanks for taking the time to write about the interview!

 

[fran]

This case is very puzzeling. Obviously those close to the case know something very specific. Old boyfriend perhaps? Or maybe someone from the neighborhood had seen her around, has a crush on her and told others, and LE is linking her disappearance to that?

Her parents sounded almost positive she was ok and whoever just needs to release her.

I hope she'll be alright.

Thanks to all who've been keeping us updated.

JMHO
fran

 

[13th Juror]

13th Juror...Thanks for taking the time to write about the interview!

You're most welcome, LostFaith. It's my pleasure.

Actually, since I'm here in the local news area - I thought perhaps I could contribute whatever I viewed of the interviews & snippets that appear on TV on a daily basis. A news channel is always on somewhere in the house. <lol>

Thank you for your thoughtful acknowledgement.

13th Juror

 

[christine2448]

News story about the raid.

http://www.wftv.com/news/7000940/detail.html


Sgt. Ring spoke to the tipster himself Sunday afternoon. Two other detectives met with the caller in person. Four hours later, they raided the building. The tipster was so credible, they believed it was the information they'd been waiting for.

Police said Kesse may still be alive. Detectives said patrol officers who work the street have heard talk that Kesse is still alive, which was why Sunday night's tip was treated with such urgency.

Good article, thanks lostfaith...

SNIP
Sgt. Ring spoke to the tipster himself Sunday afternoon. Two other detectives met with the caller in person. Four hours later, they raided the building. The tipster was so credible, they believed it was the information they'd been waiting for.

THIS TIPSTER KNOWS SOMETHING....maybe?

 

[christine2448]

I haven't had time to read up, have you all discussed this fact lately, what do ya think?:

Police are confirming that Jennifer may have left her home at Mosaic at Millenia on Monday night or Tuesday morning looking for a roadside mailbox to mail a package. They will not say where or whether she made it there, but the package is also missing.

http://www.wftv.com/news/6912982/detail.html

Hope I'm not repeating, just smack me :slap: if I am!

 

[LaMer]

Another 'thank you' for your report.

I pray all of our prayers bring Jennifer home soon.

 

[PrayersForMaura]

Psychics Used In Search For Missing Orlando Woman

Orlando police have enlisted the help of psychics in the search for a missing 24-year-old woman who mysteriously vanished three weeks ago, according to Local 6 News.
Since Jennifer Kesse disappeared, investigative leads have offered few clues to her whereabouts, Local 6 News reported.

But Orlando police confirmed Tuesday that they have interviewed a number of psychics in connection with the case.

"The psychic calls we have been getting about the Kesse case, we are not discounting them," Orlando police Sgt. Richard Ring said. "There is the possibility that there is valid information that we can use."

 

[lostfaith]

http://www.local6.com/news/7038421/detail.html


Tuesday, the "America's Most Wanted" Web site profiled Kesse's case. The national exposure could generate even more leads in the case.

Kesse's parents said they are encouraged by the attention her case is getting in recent days, Local 6 News reported.



America's most wanted article.

http://www.amw.com/missing_persons/case.cfm?id=37544

 

[Beyond Belief]

Yesterday I read about an attempted carjacking, that made me think on those lines for Jennifer. Bystanders actually helped the cars driver to subdue and capture the would be theif.
I hope they look at him closely to see if he could have possible been involved in her disappearance.

 

[Beyond Belief]

Does anyone have any thoughts about the way Mondays clothing was neatly placed over the chair, but the rejected outfits for Tuesday were left on an unmade bed, night wear left on the bathroom floor?
Did she always shower in the morning? You would think after a two hour drive, a fulls day work, she would jump inthe shower before going to bed. Whoa, its at least a 3 1/2 hour drive from Ft Lauderdale. Correct me please I am assuming they left on a cruise from Ft Lauderdale.
Why would she wait until Monday morning to go home? Where did she sleep Sunday night?
Where are her friends? She only talks to family and her boyfriend after a vacation? Somethings missing here.
Just what did she eat for dinner when she got home? There probably wasn't even milk in the condo. Did she call for something to be delivered?
Did she fill her gas tank before she left for the vacation? Did she fill it after she returned home? How much gas was left in the tank?
What kind of jewelry is missing? Her favorite necklace, her watch, her rings?
Did she stop at a bank to get some cash? How much cash did she have when she got back from the cruise?
What was missing from the condo that she would have to go get? Food, drinks, toilet paper.
Have any of her creditors received a payment she might have mailed? Phone, utility, cable, mortgage, car insurance, car payment, etc.
Was the trash emptied?
Were there coffee cups, breakfast dishes or any evidence she ate breakfast on Tues? Was her toothbrush put back where it belongs?
I see no reason whatsoever for her to go out on Monday night or early Tuesday to mail anything. Her office probably has mail pickup and the drop boxes get picked up at 5 oclock, not 8 in the morning.
Did she have laundry detergent to wash the vacation clothing? Where was the wet towel she used for her morning shower?
Did she have the ipod on vacation with her? Did she usually take it to work? Is the purse she took on vacation the one missing?
Who knew when she was returning from her vacation?
Are any condos in her building owned by companies who allow the business people to use it while their in town? Did one of the condo owners rent their place out? Sometimes its against the rules so it won't be reported to the management.
Were there any strange messages on her home phone?
The pool sign says big as life, "cameras".
On what day does the lawn service people arrive? Do they have the account for both condos?
What vendors do the condos have in common?

 

[LaMer]

FBI helping LE with the surveillance tape to clarify poi:


http://www.wftv.com/news/7052207/detail.html

FBI Helps With Missing Orlando Woman Investigation

POSTED: 4:04 pm EST February 14, 2006
UPDATED: 6:31 pm EST February 14, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Channel 9 has learned the FBI is now helping in the investigation of Jennifer Kesse. Agents were on hand Tuesday at the condo complex where the missing 24-year-old's car was found.

It was three weeks ago that Jennifer never showed up to work.

Experts from the FBI were at Huntington on the Green all afternoon testing the surveillance camera up on the roof of the clubhouse. They were trying to find out everything they could about the person of interest caught on tape walking by.

"They're gonna do some proportion work and try to give us a sensible range of the person's height," said Sgt. Rich Ring, Orlando Police Department.

Orlando police detectives said that could help the public identify the person of interest, who has yet to come forward. FBI technicians used the angle of the camera and the height in the pictures to calculate details, like how tall the person is and maybe even the length of the shoes.

"The source that we used for the enhancement is renowned and they've given us what they can give us as far as the clarity on that particular video," Sgt. Ring said.

That means questions about the person's age and race and whether it's a man or a woman will probably go unanswered.

Police still have someone working full time watching other surveillance tapes looking for a clearer image of the person of interest.
more at link-

 

[Bobbisangel]

Why do LE believe that the person in the video is a person of interest? Couldn't it be just about anyone walking by at that particular time of day? If it is a regular person just walking by he could have seen the video on TV and not even recognized himself because the picture is so blurred. He might not even put two and two together if he walks by there daily...maybe something to do with a job or lives there.

Why is LE focussed on this person and not someone else on the video?

 

[LaMer]

Beyond Belief, you have lots of good questions they give many things to ponder about. Jen's mom said, the clothes and nightwear laying about were normal for Jennifer.

One thing that bothers me, is Jennifer not calling her boyfiend that AM. Did she usually do this from home or her car on the way to work? If she would usually call him from her condo, I was thinking, possibly she had been coersed from her condo, but then again, on remembering that the cellphone she was to have mailed that morning wasn't there, she more than likely had left for work and taken it with her. So she was more than likely was OK until she had left her condo. And calling from her car in the morning on her way might have been her norm, as my daughters usually always call me when they are driving. Have car and cellphone will travel!

I found out something today, I didn't know. LE had obtained videos from survaillance cameras other than the one where her car had been found. They possibly have a timeline when either Jennifer or someone else was driving her car. I am supposing, using this timeline is what possibly might make the person, who is the poi, important as seen on the surveillance camera where Jen's car had been found near the time when her car possibly was the one mentioned by the article.-make sense?- I had missed reading this article until today. It explains what I am trying to explain.


http://www.wftv.com/news/6630167/detail.html
Police Using Surveillance Video In Search For Woman

POSTED: 3:32 pm EST January 31, 2006
UPDATED: 5:40 pm EST January 31, 2006

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Police are using surveillance video from stores to try to find missing 24-year-old Jennifer Kesse. Officers have already taken the tapes from several businesses located near Jennifer's condo, which is near the Mall of Millenia.

Police are now releasing a timeline as to when they think Jennifer's car came through the South John Young Parkway corridor and detectives are scouring the store surveillance tapes hoping one of the cameras captured something to narrow the timeline.

Jennifer's car is still the best clue police have. A woman, who didn't want to be identified, but lives in the Huntington on the Green apartments where Jennifer's car was found last Thursday morning, remembers seeing the car a whole day earlier, Wednesday morning. She nearly hit it, in the lot.

"My kids were making noise in the car and I almost backed into it," she said. "I didn't notice that car before and, when I noticed it, I knew it wasn't somebody staying around here."

Police want to hear from anyone who may have seen the Chevy Malibu anytime after 10pm Monday night, when Jennifer last spoke to her boyfriend, and Thursday morning at 8am, when the car was found.

Detectives think Jennifer herself, or someone else, was traveling on South John Young Parkway, between Texas and Americana and Conroy Road by the Mall of Millenia, during that time frame.

A manager at the 7-Eleven along John Young and Americana confirmed that police collected their outdoor surveillance tapes looking for clues.

-more at link-

I know this is an old article, new to me tho, and it helped clear up some questions I had.