Once when my daughter was attending college in Orlando, my wife and I drove down for a visit. A wreck on the turnpike caused traffic to be re-directed and we ended up in Crack Alley. As I negotiated our car through knots of prostitutes and pimps and addicts, my wife pulled a pistol from the glove box and held it on her lap. Just in case. We came through okay, but even in broad daylight I was frightened. Did Jennifer Kesse [pictured] go out one night and get caught in a nightmare?
Orlando: strip plazas; porn shops; grimy streets littered with crackheads and whores. Not quite the image Mickey wants you to remember. But there, juxtaposed between the yuppie condos and student apartments and convention centers is a stain that can’t be ignored.
On January 23, 2006, Jennifer Kesse disappeared from these streets without a trace. "Disappeared without a trace." Even the phrase sounds strange. How can someone in a large metropolitan area simply vanish? How can a responsible, confident young business-woman disappear in the land of Mickey Mouse?
It wouldn’t be the first time.
In 1997, another blue-eyed blonde named Carla Larson went missing after picking up a sandwich for lunch at a Publix grocery store near Disney World. Two days later, her body was found in a patch of woods. She’d been abducted, raped, and murdered. John Huggins, convicted of the crime, now sits on death row. If the Supreme Court doesn’t toss out the death penalty or if he doesn’t die of old age, someday he might actually be executed for the savage crime.
The day before she disappeared, Jennifer and her fiancé returned from a cruise. During the week she was gone, her brother and several friends had batched it in her condo. When they left, one of the friends forgot his cell phone. He called Jennifer and asked if she would mail it to him.
Investigators think she was trying to find a mail box when she was snatched. On the news show Dateline, her mother remarked that “[investigators] showed us the scene they found...There was a wet shower, damp towel, underwear on the floor, hair and makeup items on the bathroom sink. On her unmade bed, a selection of work clothes were laid.” Did Jennifer go out after dark to mail the package and cross unknowingly into the abyss of murder?
Jennifer’s fiancé was ruled out. Her friends and family were ruled out. The vacationers who spent the week before in her apartment were ruled out. Workers at her apartment complex were ruled out. It was obvious to investigators that this was a random kidnapping.
It became more obvious when they began viewing videotapes of businesses in the area. Her black Chevy Malibu was found about a mile from her condo. Security cameras caught an individual parking her car and getting out. It wasn’t Jennifer. But the camera was too far away to get a clear picture of the driver.
Another security camera revealed a strange clue. An individual walked by her car within seconds after it had been dropped off. Police were never able to identify the person, but concluded that he or she was about five feet three inches tall. A woman or a short man.
So more than two years later, Jennifer is still gone. The girl with the pretty smile who loved her job just fell off the radar screen. Another shadow in the black hole of the missing.
49 comments:
I'm famous now, because you shouted me out on the internet.
By the way, you once said to me about my first terrible breakup: "it's just another blip on the radar screen of life." That has sat with me through about ten years now, and I've quoted it to many a friend in trouble. I've always thought that it was a poignant sentence.
Thanks.
I still-framed the video on Tivo, and that person walking looks like a man with his hair up in a bun or short pony tail on the back of his head. The way he strides does not lead me to believe it was a woman in the surveillance video.
Do you know whether or not the police checked the other apartments that the construction workers occuppied, for any trace of Jennifer's DNA, possibly some of her hair? From what I viewed on 48 Hours, I think he might have abducted her into either his apartment or a vacant apartment he was working on, then went back to where he stashed her. I firmly believe the abductor was a construction worker at that condominium.
alpha
alpha,
Thanks for your comments. I think the police tried to contact all the workers but there were so many they couldn't find them all. They didn't say so, but there may have been a language barrier as well since many of the workers would probably have been from other countries including many illegals. Whatever the case, I have always felt, like you, that the abductor was probably one of the workers.
Robert A. Waters
Thank you for responding. I've worked in construction most of my life, and I did maintenance and air conditioning for lots of management companies in the past. If this guy is a citizen of the USA he might be a drifter that moves from complex to complex. With his hair up like it was, I've seen many painters that do that to scarf their hair to prevent paint from getting on to it. He'll eventually make a mistake and justice will prevail. Thanks again.
Everyone who knew her or have heard of her, understands this. jennifer is a gift from god.I was their at work 5 months pregnant and hurricane katrina was 5 months in the hole.The family has been praying please return this ANGEL to her family. THANK YOU JESUS LOVES YOU.,
I think the Police made a fatal mistake.
1) They didn't work fast enough to find and track down the construction workers at the condo.
Jennifer's mom even said she was scared by those workers staring at her.
2) They released the info about the video way too late.
I agree with those of you who mentioned Jennifer's disappearance being related to one of the construction workers. I just read about the solving of the Jennifer Lee Hampton case, and apparently it was a motel worker (also foreign) who had access to her room. The people working on the condo were foreign (I think Mexican) and Jennifer had mentioned she didn't like how they looked at her. They also would have known she stepped out to mail something... since they probably stayed on or near site. I'm glad other people are thinking about this too because it really bothers me :(
Oh God, I hope the police get the clue of her whereabouts soon, it has been almost four years till now ... It makes me feel terrible ...
someone somewhere knows something, and the reason no one has been caught is cause there is probrbly only 1 person who knows where jennifer is, someone needs to clear their soul and at least leave an anonymous clue as to where she is, 2 days later car found, must be within 1 day (24 hours) driving vicinity, or taken somewhere and locked up in a house with a garage where the car could have been for 2 days...dressed like that to make sure not to leave any evidence in the car, probebly a woman, not many men are that short, or possibly a worker that walked back to appt building after dropping the car off, or someone that lives, or lived in the vicinity...such a heartbreaking mystery...god send us all a sign, or give her a chance to escape where ever she is
I am Jennifer's mom, Joyce, my first time to this site. Thank all of you for taking time to care and share your thoughts. To clarify, Jenn flew to St.Croix 1/19/2006 Th-returned 1/22/2006 Sun. Drove directly to work in Ocoee,Fl from Ft.Lauderdale. Worked all day,Mon.1/23 came home at dinner time. Was last heard of at 10p that nite. She would never have gone out to mail that cell phone, she said she'd mail it from work the next day. Tuesday 1/24/2006 JENN'S NIGHTMARE BEGINS..didn't show up for work, cell phone directly to voice mail. Jenn very responsible, would call work if running late, and never in all the time she had cell phone never turned it off. Her car was dropped off on the day of her abduction at noon 1/24/2006 approx. 1.2miles at the Huntington on the Green condo complex. Ironically it was not found,and a resident of that complex saw the news Thurs.morning 1/26/2006 and called police. As of June 2010 her case was transferred to the FBI, let's all hope with their expertise,training/experience that we can finally bring Jenn home. Thank you all! findjenniferkesse.com
Joyce,
Thanks so much for the email and the clarification. Jennifer's case touches me deeply and I hope that you'll indeed be able to bring her home and that whoever did this recieves justice.
Robert
Very sad case, watched it tonight on channel 32 here in Canada. I just can't imagine the pain and heartache of the family! I too was wondering about the construction workers, and I am glad to see that aspect covered here by others! I would hope the police did do as much as they could to find all the workers, and question them, and I think time must've been of the essence! I wonder how many of the 'worked on' units the police were able to search...
I have done a study about this. 4 out of 10 beautiful wemon (such as Jennifer) have been said to have been taken just like this. But where they go, no one seems to have a clue. Well, I suspect the workers. My point is, some of these workers were foriegn. so, maybe it should be taken under consideration that she has been taken out of the U.S. to be forced or druged into becoming a prostiute or stripper or anything else of the sort. It is an absolutly terrible thing to even consider but it does happen. I was studying this when I heard about Jennifer's case over two years ago. This story is very sad and I sincerly hope Jen will come home.
Darcy
Had to add my thoughts to this disappearance, most definitely, it was one of the workers. Reading about Jennifers disappearance on the internet from Ireland and really think the person responsible for this terrible event was someone who knew her movements etc. She was stunning looking and one of the workers could have had a fixation on her... Please god they will be brought to justice...
I was watching 48 hrs today nov 7 2011 and when they showed the person walking on the video to me it looked like he was wearing loafers and his hair looked shaven in back long on top like preppy guys wear it. They need to luminol her condo for blood. Hope she's found just so the family can put this to rest.
roger76a post give me chills and goose bumps...Sounds about right.
roger76a post give me chills and goosebumps...sounds about right
We have just watched the story of Jennifers disappearance. At the begining when they spoke of the complex being painted my spine went funny - can't explain any better than that. My heart goes out to Jennifers parents, the not knowing is torture for them and their minds imagining terrible senarios. I do feel Jennifer will be found eventually and her family can have some closure.
St. Jude St. Jude please come around, Jennifer is still missing and needs to be found.
Im sure the police know what they are doing. Or should. I was wondering if they have crossed-checked to see if any of the workers had previously worked at the complex where Jennifers car was left. They may have left the car there because they were familiar with the other complex, knowing they wldnt be spotted dropping her car. I agree with the post that said round em up and see who quit work or whatever with days or weeks of her dissapearance. But I do believe that the guy (I believe guy, yes)was familiar with the surroundings and knew where to leave her car. Could he have worked there before!?!? Had to be a worker. And I believe said worker or workers lay waiting for her at her condo.
We read that one of the friends who stayed in her condo called and asked Jennifer to mail his cell phone which he had left behind.
Does anyone know if that cell phone was found in her condo?
We read that one of the friends who stayed in the condo while she was gone called and asked that she mail his cell phone to him.
Does anyone know if that cell phone was found by police in her condo?
If not, this would indicate that she left to mail the cell phone and never returned.
The police would do well by reviewing the comments made here by "roger76a".
The police theory that Jennifer was abducted in the morning on her way to work, at a time when the other tenants are also leaving for work, and the chances of being seen is very high, is more than hard to swallow.
It is noted that nothing has apparently been done about the only clue to the puzzle, the video of the person of interest. There is no face to facilitate identification, and obviously no fingerprint or DNA, but they have the body type and clothes. The clothes is clearly the type of clothing worn by construction workers. I have seen this type of overalls worn by the people who paint and spray on the popcorn onto ceilings. It seems to me that the person in the picture is wearing the clothing of a construction worker.
The POI in the picture has a small build. Seven years after the crime it is unlikely that anything can be done about this now.
What about a fellow apartment dweller who could have either been watching her routine daily and or knew her as a co-resident? That person could have paid a third party to move the car. She could have been hidden in a unit close by until she could be moved at night time. Police should question every person who resided there when she did, starting with those who had a visual if her condo. Those people are much easier to track down for potential new leads.
Why not interview every person who resided at Jennifer's condo complex at the time she disappeared, starting with those whose unit was visible to Jennifer's? It is much easier to track down those parties than unknown migrant workers. This angle just might turn up some new leads. I pray for closure and justice. MKH, Orlando, FL
I have a feeling it was a worker as do so many others. Don't get how a shower can still be wet after 3 hours. Maybe the police should check the drain and apt for blood evidence. Also I heard the police aren't allowed to check apts used by the workers? Did the ever check the property for a body. Alot of times the news finds people not far from the site of a home. I really do hope one day she is found. I so do ADMIRE the Kesse family.They are just absolutely amazing.
Is it possible to ascertain whether or not Juan Hernandez-Monzalvo and Richard Morales-Marin ever worked on a construction crew at the Mosaic condos?
Is it possible to ascertain whether or not Juan Hernandez-Monzalvo and Richard Morales-Marin ever worked on a construction crew at the Mosaic condos?
Cheryl, Please call 1-800-423-8477 with your tip.
I am not in the USA Robert. The two men I refer to are serving life sentences for raping an 11 year old girl. They were both illegal immigrants and both working in construction in the area. If they worked on the Mosaic condos they would be prime suspects. Hernandez-Monzalvo resembles the POI in the video and is 5'6" . He had a "mushroom" haircut during his trial.
Wanted to let you know that I reported this lead to a friend of mine who works in the Dept. of Justice. Thanks for your interest in this case.
Thank you so much and I hope it proves to be worthwhile.
I called in a lead that I saw her in zephyr hills park with two men and the detective called me back and asked for a description. A year later I saw her again but in the zephyr hills Wall-Mart with a man big broad shouldered black men and he was threatening her quietly "Don't even smile at anyone" they were in the baby section. I called again but no one ever called me back I ended up moving to NY so I don't if anyone ever followed up.
This is what my grandmother said
So many comments here amaze me that some people actually do not know the facts before theorizing about her whereabouts.
roger76a: Interesting and penetrative, but do we know if the workers were actually "constructing", or merely painting? I have only read it was the latter, in which case, they wouldn't have been "cementing" anywhere, let alone a foundation. However, I do accept your insight that she was discarded in the vicinity, and suspect those workers knew where to dispose of materials, other than dumpsters on the property. In other words, I don't think she left that property alive, but I don't believe her remains are there.
bruce white: The police have explained incessantly they couldn't even identify all the workers in order to locate them. This is where the complaint of poor detective work comes in, because they immediately should have detained and questioned every one of them. It always bothered me that an illegal could get a job for cash, not even have to give a name, and the workers' supervisor exercised no responsibility whatsoever in the matter. Moreover, I do not accept that the workers did not know each other. It is more likely they covered for each other. Any who were interviewed should have been offered polygraphs.
Lolon: Jennifer's mom dismissed the idea of Jennifer leaving to mail the cell phone, and in fact stated her plan to mail it from work that day. (Please scroll up and read comments before asking questions.) It is plausible her abduction wasn't witnessed by innocent bystanders because there weren't other tenants at the time while the complex was under renovation. By all appearances, she woke up, laid her work clothes on her bed before making it, took a shower, dried off...and then never left. I do not believe she ever made it to her car. I believe the abductor(s) somehow accessed her unit, possibly by simply knocking on the door with a ruse and waiting for her to answer.
Marcia Hodson: In response to your reference to other residents, it was known that I recall distinctly it being reported that Jennifer was in an unusual residential situation because either there weren't any other residents or very few at the time because the complex was under renovation. I do not recall why she was present as a resident under these circumstances, but just that it was a unique living situation.
sarah lee: Wtf? Beat it, spammer!
Hannah Durham: What a loser! You bumped your head. Stop wasting time, attention-seeker!
I wonder if Jennefer's parents have considered a civil suit againtst the condo owners for allowing those workers to occupy space on the property. I believe this would be a obvious security risk to the residents there, and the owners could be liable. Also, more evidence might be uncovered this way.
This sounds like a highly probable scenario to me.
Some men are very short. My first impression from watching the video is that it was one of the make painters there. I lived in Orlando for many years and around that time many apartments were converted into condos. There could be very few people living there, apartment residents that were waiting on certain dates to leave and people who bought condo units. So, from my experience, it could be highly possible that no other residents saw what happened but the same cannot be said about the workers. "Foreign" workers tend to stay closely together. Someone knows something, but afraid to step out. To me, Roger76a's theory is highly plausible. Perhaps not exact to the teeth, but similar situation happened. Illegal workers have been a problem in Orlando for a long time. The only problem I have against them is that noone knows who's who.
Again, I believe the owner of the complex should be held responsle for not providing adequate security.
I'm wondering why there's no mention of her car being examined for DNA after that possible suspect left it at the other apartment complex. Was there no unexplained DNA found in her vehicle? or are the results something the police are keeping a lid on?
I put up a profile of Tracy Ocasio on my wall it turned out to my surprise it was Jenns abductor to a troubled child hood divorced family no wife 18to35 year old white male problems with women etc when I look at the video of the poi with out any other views I see a guy with a Moe hair cut with long hair like. Some rockers or stoners where it you have to keep it in a bun or a ponytail his is in a bun I see a shiny earring. The clothes because of the footage I think any body could be wearing them when I dug into Jimmy Hathaway the first time I blew my mind talk radio has a pic just like I was going to do Jimmy sitting on a car hood Moe hair cut long hair pulled back into a bun can't see but his hair being so thick it almost looks like a bicycle helmet on his head the next pic of him I couldn't believe it round gold earrings did he have that hair on the day Jenns went missing was his ears pierced that I don't. Know if all that fits into place all the people out there that don't Jimmy need to take a look atjenn I know the ops has him on there radar Tracy phone wallet never found car parried down the food from Jimmy Jenns phone wallet never found Jenns Tracy go to the same bar Tracy is last seen at with Jimmy Jenns goes to gym across the street where Jimmy and sex register friend Greg Toole are trainers Jenns use to live not far from Jimmy until she bought her condo I'm not saying they were friends but he could've had his eyes on her and she never saw it conning to many similar coincidences not to be connected I believe he got her Monday night Don what he wanted to Jimmy knew the area got rid of the body by morning not far away I think he got rid of the body dropped the car off down the road took the bus or called a friend that might not even have known what was going on
This enty is so poorly puntuated, I can hardly make sense of it.
Jesse B.
This is such a devastating case, Jenn was so beautiful, and seemed like such a nice girl. Jenn didn't lead a high-risk lifestyle; drugs/crime, so its especially shocking that something bad like this could happen.
I've found, in many of these cases, tennants who move away 'quickly' after the crime, end up being responsible. Law enforcement should track down anybody who moved away from the complex just after the crime, and interview them.
I believe whomever did this, is already in prison for another crime. That is usually the case in 9 out of 10 cases.
Investigators NEED to learn who exactly lived in the complex at the time, and interview them, especially anybody who moved away quickly after the crime. I think investigators might be stuck on the belief that a 'worker' did it, this might not be the case at all.
True.
I have seen the documentary a few times on Jennifer. So sorry for the family My mind always goes back to the guy from work that was hitting on her & pressuring her to go out with him & he was seen near her apt in a bar the night before How do we know that he didn't go over to her apt early the morning of & when she came out to go to work he got her near his vehicle & somehow took her & killed her, disposed of her body & then created his own alibi of purposely speeding, getting a ticket, ripping it up & then taken to police station. Then he paid someone off to move her car.
I'm sure there are details I don't know but am curious about how he acted when he did return to work that afternoon, home much longer did he work there. Did anyone check his email or phone records? Where is he now? He just seems like the most likely suspect to me but just my opinion
I thought it was an Ex boyfriend in the bar not the weird co- worker... I think the dad said the weird co-worker made a comment about her being eaten by alligators by now... something like that... that is not a noramal thing to say. He should have been in shock...
We will probably never know what happened to this girl, unless they find her while excavating somewhere.
I live in the uk. I have no information or "who dunnit" theories.i just would like to express my sadness for her wonderful family. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Stay strong Kesse family x.
Surely technology as advance as it is now can enhance the photo of the person getting out of the car, or what about mediums, they are suppose to know things. thoughts are with the family,
Hello to everyone. I’m from Russia and my English is bad, so I asking to forgive me for. I just watched on YouTube the story about Jennifer and yes, 2 versions - ex or workers but if that was ex, then his friends or anyone who knew him could be see him at video camera and know exactly that was him, because clothes, boots, hat or anything else, even steps - we know how our friends look like, right? And maybe to watch at closest cameras in that city, like in 13.15 her car was here, then in 13.20 is there...I mean in the city a lot of cameras I guess, maybe one of that will show. And DNA of course, big thing, big deal, DNA helped a lot of people to be free or to be in Jail. And the last: I’m so so so sorry and sad that people were missing and still missing, that gun still shot, that people still kill, terrible to think that when you waking up then somebody will never wake up. I hope that once who did anything bad to Jennifer Kesse will tell about or will be found. Lord see everything and everyone and boomerang will come back, I hope, I pray, I wait for. In my mind I’m with Jennifer’s Family.
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