Three Year Anniversary of Jennifer Kesse Disappearance Saturday

Jennifer Kesse

This Saturday marks three years since Jennifer Kesse vanished. She had been living in a condominium near the Mall at Millenia in Orange County at the time.
In May 2007, police released surveillance video taken near the condominium complex, Mosaic at Millenia, where Kesse lived. It shows a person, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, walking by the gates.
Police said other surveillance video shows someone parking Kesse's car near the complex.

In November of 2008, Tim Miller of Equusearch, assembled a search for Jennifer that was held in conjunction with then missing toddler, Caylee Anthony.

Convicted murderer David Byron Russ met privately with the father of Jennifer Kesse and provided information that could lead Orlando police detectives to one or more suspects in her disappearance.
Related Content: Watch The Story / Raw Video: David Russ
Kesse, who was 24 when she disappeared, has been missing since 2006. Russ awaits sentencing in the Seminole County Jail for the murder of a Longwood woman.

Drew Kesse visited Russ for just more than one hour on December 23, 2008. Kesse said he was surprised in December to get a letter from Russ, who is awaiting sentencing in the murder of a Longwood woman in 2007. Russ invited Kesse to the jail so he could discuss information about Kesse's daughter.

"It was a strange conversation. There's no taking that away. It ran the whole gamut. He talked about his family, I talked about mine," Kesse said. "He knows my feelings about Jennifer, he knows our feelings about Jennifer, that's for darn sure, and I think he was trying to help."

Kesse said Russ told him he's developed information from behind bars that more than one person, possibly individuals who are currently locked up, were behind her disappearance. Kesse declined to provide specifics, saying he wants to protect Russ from retribution from other inmates. "It's up to the investigators to see if there is any value to it, or not," Kesse said.

Jennifer's mother, Joyce Kesse, added, "You also have to kind of look at trying to some degree, protecting him, you know."

In an exclusive interview with WESH 2 News reporter Dave McDaniel, Russ offered some hope of solving the case, but not in the manner which her parents have been praying.
"I'm pretty sure that the information that we gave them, is going to help them to find resolve, to find closure. I haven't really felt optimistic about the possibility of Jennifer still being alive, but I don't want to omit that, because there's hope in the family," Russ said.

In April 2008, police released photos of a shamrock tattoo on Kesse's left hip and of the purse they believe she was carrying when she disappeared. The Kesse's said they get new leads through Crime Line every week.

This weekend at the Mall of Millenia they will host an event to raise public awareness about missing adults and children. It will be held in the community room near the Banana Republic store between 11a.m. and 3 p.m.

Related:

Slideshow of images of Jennifer Kesse

Slideshow of evidence and images related to Jennifer Kesse Search

some content courtesy: WESH Orlando

Nov. 8 Search Planned For Caylee Anthony, Jennifer Kesse

Left: Jennifer Kesse; right: Caylee Anthony

WINTER PARK, Fla. -- The latest search effort planned for Caylee Anthony is generating a lot of interest.

An Orlando private investigator who has volunteered to head up the effort to recruit team leaders said he has received over 400 calls since just 5 p.m. Wednesday.

"We're looking for someone with law enforcement background, fire service background, department of corrections -- public service background essentially," said James Copenhaver, private investigator. "Those folks have had some training in the past that they can bring to the table to help us."

The search is being headed up by Equusearch, the same group based in Texas that searched for Caylee in September. The group's leader, Tim Miller, plans to return to Orlando on Nov. 7 to train team leaders. On Nov. 8, the group hopes to send as many as 3,000 or 4,000 volunteer searchers out to look for both Caylee Anthony and Jennifer Kesse -- a Central Florida woman who has been missing since January 2006.

Equusearch is still looking for a search headquarters and determining the exact areas that will be searched. Both the sherriff's office and the FBI are on board with their efforts.

People who are interested in volunteering with Equusearch in the upcoming search for Caylee Anthony and Jennifer Kesse on Nov. 8 call Equusearch at 877-270-9500 or go to their website at www.texasequusearch.org. If you are retired law enforcement, military personnel, or have a background in fire or rescue and would like to serve as a team leader, please contact James Copenhaver at 407-897-1184.

Grand Jury Set To Meet In Casey Anthony Case

Sunday, October 12, 2008

ORLANDO -- Final preparations are under way before Casey Anthony's grand jury hearing next week.

George Anthony, Casey’s father, handed out Caylee fliers in the Lee Vista neighborhood Saturday.
The Kid Finder's Network has a tent set up along Chickasaw Trail, as well as a billboard of Caylee Marie.

George answered questions and gave out T-shirts to passers-by.

Meanwhile, Casey Anthony spent several hours at her attorney's office to prepare for the hearing. Although it's been quiet in the Anthony neighborhood, residents who live along Grandee Drive said they just want the hearing to be over with so they can start getting life back to normal without protesters or media.

EquuSearch Returns To Look For Caylee, Jennifer Kesse

Search and recovery team Texas EquuSearch is back in Central Florida to resume the search for Caylee Anthony as her mother, Casey, works her way through the court system on child neglect charges. See previous story.

EquuSearch spokesman Tim Miller said the group hopes to start searching by late Sunday or Monday, because the ground is too saturated this weekend.

Miller said he believes Caylee is dead, but the 3-year-old deserves a proper burial.
"My heart goes out to the Anthony family," Miller said. "It's a position they've never wanted to be put in, and I can empathize with them."

Along with the search for Caylee, EquuSearch will be working with law enforcement to work on the case of Jennifer Kesse, who has been missing for more than two years after vanishing from her condominium in January 2006.

Casey Granted Access To Evidence

A judge Friday granted Casey access to some evidence after a motion hearing.

Judge Stan Strickland allowed Casey to access her car, as well as forensic tests completed by authorities trying to figure out what happened to Caylee.

Casey has been called a suspect in her daughter's disappearance, but has so far only been charged with child neglect.

"Casey is elated and excited that we had this motion granted," said Jose Baez, Casey's lawyer.

The judge did not rule on whether Casey could leave her home to help search for her daughter. lol.

Texas Search Team To Help With Kesse Case

Equusearch Juggles Caylee Anthony, Jennifer Kesse Search Efforts
October 10, 2008

ORLANDO, Fla. -- A Texas search team arrived in Central Florida on Friday to help search for Jennifer Kesse nearly three years after her disappearance.

Kesse disappeared nearly three years ago from her Orlando condominium.
On Thursday, Texas Equusearch came to assist in the search.

Police have had more then 950 leads in the case, but Kesse's mother, Joyce, said it's awareness people need to be reminded she's missing.

Jennifer Kesse would be 27 years old now.

"It's extremely hard," father Drew Kesse said. "I'll be honest. It's hard to be back in this city."

The missing woman's parents met with investigators Friday morning. They said there's been nothing new happen in the case, but they're grateful for the help from the search team.

"There are a lot of emotions going on," said Tim Miller of Equusearch. "We've got two children in basically the same area."

Equusearch is in town to help look for 3-year-old Caylee Anthony, and they've also been briefed on the Kesse case.

A few years ago, police combed a wooded area off John Young Parkway -- not far from Jennifer Kesse's condo where she was last seen. Texas Equusearch will take another look in that area.

"It's when we're going to do it," Miller said. "I think it's going to be a lot sooner than later."
Jennifer Kesse was last seen near her condo near the Mall at Millenia in January 2006.

"We're going to go out and take some rides around some of the areas to get a better grasp," Drew Kesse said.

Jennifer Kesse's car was found near Texas Avenue and Americana Boulevard. A few days later, surveillance was found of someone driving her car. Police said they don't know who was driving.

"With any luck, maybe we'll find something this time," Drew Kesse said. "As you know, with Joyce and me, we'll never give up. Jennifer is what it is all about."

Texas Equusearch members said they're not sure when they'll begin their search. They said they're still trying to coordinate the Kesse and Anthony searches.

Background:

May 3, 2008: House Passes Kesse Bill
April 23, 2008: Bill Proposed By Kesse's Parents Passes
April 3, 2008: New Photos Released In Kesse Case
February 26, 2008: Psychic Says She Knows Location Of Duckett, Kesse
January 24, 2008: Kesse Remembered 2 Years After Disappearance
November 2, 2007: Jennifer Kesse's Family Receives Phone Threats
August 10, 2007: Jennifer Kesse Pictures Found On Dating Sites
July 27, 2007: Investigators Hope Inmates, Playing Cards Will Help In Kesse Case
July 12, 2007: Police Consider Underwater Technology In Kesse Search
June 6, 2007: Kesse Family Hopes Billboard Will Help Investigation
May 18, 2007: New Tape Produces Leads In Kesse Case, Police Say
May 18, 2007: Key Video Released In Kesse Case
January 24, 2007: Search For Kesse Hits 1-Year Mark
December 24, 2006: Kesse Family Hope For Christmas Miracle
December 22, 2006: Kesses Continue Search For Missing Daughter
October 24, 2006: Search For Jennifer Kesse Hits 9-Month Mark
October 3, 2006: Kesses Hand Out Cards With Missing Daughter's Picture
September 27, 2006: Kesse's Parents Still Receiving Leads On Her Disappearance
July 24, 2006: Six Months Later, Search For Kesse Continues
April 24, 2006: Kesse Family Raises Reward
April 18, 2006: Kesse's Family Produces PSA About Contacting Attorney
March 30, 2006: Kesse's Family Offers New Reward
March 8, 2006: Reward In Kesse Case Dropping
March 3, 2006: Missing Woman's Parents Hope PO Box Will Encourage Tipsters
February 28, 2006: Tips In Jennifer Kesse Case Starting To Slow Down
February 23, 2006: Kesse Family Vows To Remain Hopeful
February 22, 2006: FBI Describes Person Of Interest In Kesse Case
February 20, 2006: Kesse Family Hopes FBI Will Release More Information
February 17, 2006: Police Return Jennifer Kesse's Car To Parents
February 17, 2006: Mistaken Clues Interfere In Kesse Search
February 15, 2006: Kesse's Family Vows To Continue Search
February 12, 2006: Police Send Message To Public In Kesse Case
February 9, 2006: New Clues Found In Kesse Disappearance
February 7, 2006: Searchers Look For Clues In Kesse Disappearance
February 6, 2006: 'Person Of Interest' Sought In Kesse Case
February 1, 2006: Family Recruits Volunteers To Search For Missing Woman
February 1, 2006: Missing Woman's Parents Discuss Struggle
January 30, 2006: Searchers Use Horses To Look For Kesse
January 27, 2006: Friends, Family Search For Missing Woman
January 26, 2006: Missing Woman's Car Found Near Apartment
January 25, 2006: Police Find Few Clues In Search For Missing Woman