FL - Jennifer Kesse, 24, Orlando, 24 Jan 2006 - #5

[SeriouslySearching]

I wish the Kesse family would call in this person to work on the video of the guy parking the car etc. Maybe they could get more to go on!

MIKE BROOKS, FORMER D.C. POLICE, SERVED ON FBI TERRORISM TASK FORCE: Well, I`ll tell you, Nancy, there are a number of different labs. We heard today -- now we heard from Mr. Smith three forensics labs. Now, the FBI has the capability of doing this. They have also -- they`re now included also in the case, the Kansas state lab.

But also, the Target corporation, Nancy, has an excellent video enhancement lab. In fact, one of their certified forensic video analysts was involved in the Dru Sjodin case. If you recall, Dru Sjodin was a coed who was found dead in -- from North Dakota, found in Minnesota. He gained notoriety in the Midwest because of the enhancement he did for that particular case.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0706/05/ng.01.html

 

[leftcoast]

I wish the Kesse's would give LE two more weeks.

Just because LE has been "nice" and "caring" , doesn't mean they are going to solve the case.

I'd rather have a cop with no personality, that nobody likes, but is a bulldog, and shakes the trees, works the streets, his sources, his snitches, and demands that somebody get him a lead, or the heat will be on.

I just don't get how somebody could keep betting on a horse that doesn't show results.

Win now, or time to bet on another horse.

left

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Left~ I am in that camp, too! If it were my daughter...I would stop the race and go back to the starting gate. To get to any finish line...you need all participants to be on the same track and it seems their horses have wandered too far off course.

The way I BELIEVE a good investigation works is you sift through all the evidence (providing you identify the evidence correctly), clear all the logical suspects, draw your timelines, draw your areas of search, follow up on all and any leads, and all of this should take you to ONE specific path to follow...either by hunch or by actual direction from the above. When that path is established...things should fall into place like a puzzle. You start with the border and work your way to the center.

They don't have the first piece to their puzzle right or they would be building their border already!!

Two weeks is a bit generous, IMO!!!

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I have been actively watching the Kelsey Smith case from Overland Park, KS play out this week. I wish all of you working here on Jenn's case would take a very close look. It is so eerily familiar.

The abduction (which we get to see played out on CCTV), the lack of evidence (physical evidence so far, but his face, body, and truck are plastered now all over the world due to excellent/adequate video cams), and the amazing fact he comes back to leave her car in a lot close by two hours later then walks to the very parking lot he abducted her from and drives off in his truck. The parallels are astounding!!

Could he be the same person we are looking for? He is certainly fitting the description we have developed thus far (not LE...he is too tall!). His MO seems the same. His manner of abduction seems to apply. Leaving the car within walking distance after the abduction just seems to be too much of a coincidence for us not to look at this seriously.

There are only a couple of threads thus far and this case seems very close to being solved. Please read up on it. At the very least, we are getting a bird's eye view of the same type of predator that could have taken Jennifer.

 

[nanandjim]

SS - I totally agree with you about the odd similarity. The abduction of Jennifer could have happened in the exact same way that Kelsey's abduction occurred. The guy(s) who committed these crimes seem to be experienced at it. I imagine every time he/they do this, they are emboldened for the next time.

ETA: I wasn't aware that they now have footage of the perp (in Kelsey's case) of his truck and him returning to it. I only hope that they now have a name of an individual for whom they are searching.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

SS - I totally agree with you about the odd similarity. The abduction of Jennifer could have happened in the exact same way that Kelsey's abduction occurred. The guy(s) who committed these crimes seem to be experienced at it. I imagine every time he/they do this, they are emboldened for the next time.

ETA: I wasn't aware that they now have footage of the perp (in Kelsey's case) of his truck and him returning to it. I only hope that they now have a name of an individual for whom they are searching.

If they do..they aren't saying yet. BUT..they got over 200 tips after they aired just the video of his pic. They haven't said how many since they aired the truck pulling in behind her and the guy walking in one minute after she did...then out before her..then you see the struggle by her car. I imagine they are just swamped in leads now and I look for a resolve to her case soon.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

It makes me ill we don't have such video for Jennifer.

 

[nanandjim]

It makes me ill we don't have such video for Jennifer.

However, there is "some" video even though it is of poor quality. I give props to HOTG for even having a camera. The video allows us to see that it appears to be the same type of abduction. At least, that is a start.

I guess that I am naive, but it seems strange to me that more than one person is committing this type of female abduction in more than one state.

However, in Jennifer's case, the dogs seem to have gone to her condo door, indicating that he was there. Still, that could just mean that she was targeted.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

It seems to me...we should be looking closely at this case in KS. Everything seems to fit. If we don't have Jenn's abductor...we have a replica and we can follow his lead.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

This is hopeful! A guy on Fox said he believed the reason they brought the car back was because they didn't want the car associated or near the place where the subject was still alive. I like the sound of that.

 

[nanandjim]

This is hopeful! A guy on Fox said he believed the reason they brought the car back was because they didn't want the car associated or near the place where the subject was still alive. I like the sound of that.

I don't think that Jennifer is alive after all of this time. However, it would be great if she were. I agree that watching the Kelsey case may help with clues about the Jennifer case.

 

[leftcoast]

ss

Good job following the case in Kansas, I was not aware of it.

anyway, that we could have a link to the video so that I can view the video in that case.

You bring up a good point about a possible connection between the two casees.

However, it still could be just a coincidence. Other's have used the same MO, like Rader, in the past. But, you never know. Sometimes, these guys do travel around like Gypsies, and leave when the heat is on.

I really hope that the cases are not similar, because if they are, it shows someone that is ruthless.

Good job keeping us informed on similar cases.

Like Nan stated, LE should definitely see if the guy is Kansas has ever been to FL., and even if he hasn't, maybe LE will learn from the MO.


left

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Exactly my point, Nan! If it isn't him...he sure is darned close to what we are looking for!

 

[SeriouslySearching]

At this point, there are so many videos, Left...just go google Kelsey Smith from Overland Park, KS. (Like I did!) I can't break this case down for you. You need to go thru it for yourself to come to my conclusion. : )

 

[UCFAlumni2002]

Reading the article here at http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,278338,00.html

Smith, who graduated from high school less than two weeks ago, had been expected home by 7:30 p.m. Saturday. She spoke to her mom from inside the Target at 6:57 p.m. She and her boyfriend, who was at her house waiting for her when she didn't show up, had planned to attend a pool party and then go to dinner to celebrate their six-month anniversary. Smith’s sister told FOX News that her boyfriend planned on giving a promise ring to her.
About two hours after Smith disappeared, her grandparents found her gray 1987 Buick in a parking lot at a nearby mall with her purse and packages still inside. Police said records from her ATM card and cell phone, both missing from her purse, haven't produced any new leads.
Smith’s parents said their children always called them whenever they were going to be getting home later than expected, or if they change their plans. And because they never received such a phone call from Kelsey, they believe someone abducted her.
"There’s a rule in our house — our children knew if you change location, you call your parents. They always, always let us know," said her mother, Melissa Smith. "She’s very responsible."
Greg Smith has been in law enforcement for 16 years. He described his daughter as an outgoing young woman who plans to be a veterinarian. She also worked at a local AMC movie theater.
Family and friends also said Smith is a fighter, and anyone who may have abducted her likely is having a hard time keeping her subdued. They also described her as very well liked who was in a good relationship with her boyfriend.
"She’s just one of those kids, she steps in a room and it lights up," Greg Smith said.
Smith is about 5-foot-6-inches tall, weighs about 120 pounds and has long brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a pink tank top, black cotton shorts and tennis shoes.


Kelsey reminds me a lot of Jenn- granted the difference in age is about 8 years, but it's just amazing that both of these girls are responsible, in good relationships, have great friends, loving and caring families, and both are safety conscious.

 

[leftcoast]

SS

Don't worry about it, I found the video via Google and the today show.

It does seem awful familar.

The guy returns to the scene of the crime two hours later to retreive his car, but walks back to get his car, so that he isn't seen getting out of the missing girl's car.

After seeing that, it does make me think that our theory about the pOi returning for his transportation, may be a very good possibility.

It's odd too, that this guy appears to be in his early to mid-20's.

I seriously doubt it is the POI from JK's case, but, it should be checked out.

The guy in Kansas is toast. With that color video, and his car on tv, it is just a matter of time.

Let's hope this case gets a similar break.

It does make you wonder if something like this happened here.



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[CatLynnette]

Jennifer Kesse's case and Kelsey Smith's case are so similar.

Regarding the abduction of Kelsey Smith, I like this video because it has everything about the case.

Link:
http://video.msn.com/v/us/fv/msnbc/...&rf=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19066025/&fg=

 

[leftcoast]

Notice how the POI in Kansas tries to confuse LE by leaving Smith's car at a second location, so that LE thinks she was abducted at the Macy's across the street.

Seems very similar.

The Police in Kansas are doing an excellent job, getting out all of the information, letting people know with 100% certainty that the Smith girl did not take off on her own.

THis way, it doesn't leave open any doubts about whether or not the young woman simply took off. That is why releasing video is so important.

I sure wish LE would have released the video right away in the Kesse case, or at least tell the public that they know the poi is the suspect. It was just confusing, and may have led some to believe that the POI was simply walking by innocently.

good job kansas.

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[UCFAlumni2002]

You also have to take into account that her dad is in LE for the past 16 years... that definitely has something to do with it IMO that they released the information as quick as they did.

 

[nanandjim]

Notice how the POI in Kansas tries to confuse LE by leaving Smith's car at a second location, so that LE thinks she was abducted at the Macy's across the street.

Seems very similar.

The Police in Kansas are doing an excellent job, getting out all of the information, letting people know with 100% certainty that the Smith girl did not take off on her own.

THis way, it doesn't leave open any doubts about whether or not the young woman simply took off. That is why releasing video is so important.

I sure wish LE would have released the video right away in the Kesse case, or at least tell the public that they know the poi is the suspect. It was just confusing, and may have led some to believe that the POI was simply walking by innocently.

good job kansas.

left

You know, there are some who protest against cameras in public places due to "invasion of privacy." I am in favor of cameras being put everywhere. I have nothing to hide. If we had more cameras, perhaps, there would be less crime.

I agree with you that they got pertinent information to the public as soon as possible. It does defy logic as to the reluctance of Orlando police to release the video that they had. They really lost their edge. The guy could have moved from the area by the time their video was released. Plus, it really didn't help Jennifer in any way.

If there are any additional information that could be used to identify the suspect, it should be released, IMO.