Investigators in Orlando, Florida desperately need your leads to find Jennifer Kesse. A few days ago, authorities announced to the Kesse family that they have exhausted all credible leads in this four year old case. Although investigators deem the case “active,” they have nothing more to move on at this time. Jennifer’s family will not give up until she is found dead or alive.
BACKGROUND: Police say Jennifer didn’t show up for work at Central Florida Investments on January 24, 2006. Early on in this investigation, her family told me that it was unlike her not to call if she was going to be late, or if something came up. Her boyfriend thought it was odd that he had not heard from Jennifer that morning on her way to work, and when he called her office, they said she had neverarrived. Police responded to her condo to find nothing out of the ordinary. Later that afternoon, Jennifer’s friends and family sprung into action by canvassing the area with fliers looking for their loved one.
It’s been 60 days today since Aja Johnson was abducted and her mother Tonya was found beaten to death inside an RV. Since then, investigators in Oklahoma have issued a warrant for Lester Hobbs arrest charging him with first degree murder and kidnapping. I spoke with Deputy U.S. Marshal Arthur Templeton out of the Lawton office again today, and he said there has been no activity on the case. A couple of weeks ago he stated that they have, “not had anything viable on the vehicle, Aja Johnson, or Lester Hobbs,” and sadly that is still the case today. Templteton did mention that he has a meeting with the Oklahoma Bureau of Investigations later today, and they have plans to discuss new ideas to keep this case in the spotlight.
When this case originally broke, there was a massive ice storm that swept through most of the state of Oklahoma. The storm paralyzed the region for 8 – 14 days. During that period, many folks were without power, so some have not even heard about the Amber Alert or the murder. That ice storm is long gone, and there are still no signs of this child.
UPDATE: 2:44 p.m. I just spoke with FBI Supervisory Agent Myers in Ronoake. He tells me they have as many as 20 agents helping to field tips and work on this case. He says in these types of abductions, they have to be proactive to search trash receptacles, landfills, and also canvass the neighborhood for information. Investigators in Roanoke say they are conducting aerial and ground searches, and have requested consent searches from residents who live nearby to search their properties. I contacted the Food Lion store that backs up to this neighborhood, and I was told they do not have outside surveillance. I also contacted a local gas shop that could not confirm if they handed any surveillance over to investigators, but they did tell me they were told that they could not talk about the case at all.
Today is moving day for Susan Powell’s husband Josh. Although his wife has been missing from their home for more than a month, he is packing up his house in Utah, and moving 800 miles away to Puyallup, Washington. Friends of the Powell family told me earlier this week that Josh was fired from his job, cannot get work, and is having trouble keeping up with the payments on his home. He feels it is best to pack up his children and move where he has more support… and most likely, more privacy. Josh reached out to friends of his church and neighbors to help him move out. Anyone who wants to help is asked to arrive at 1 p.m. EST
Investigators have served multiple search warrants on the Powell home, one for the family vehicle, and one to retrieve Josh Powell’s DNA. Police say they are still awaiting DNA results from the crime lab on evidence seized from the warrants. While the family van was being searched, investigators told me Josh rented a car, and drove for several hundred miles. They do not know where he went, and they are working to figure out where he went during that time.
Michelle Sigona is a crime fighting, victims advocate extraordinaire, but for Michelle -- the good fight doesn't stop there. In her spare time, she is a volunteer firefighter -- and now, she is tackling the issues and cases that mean the most to her....
