Home News 

Story

New Video, Information Released In Jennifer Kesse Case

Posted: 12:02 pm EDT May 17, 2007Updated: 6:10 pm EDT May 17, 2007

Thursday, Orlando police released new video and new information in the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse. She vanished from her Orlando condo a year and a half ago. Also Thursday, the reward in the case was increased from $250,000 to $1 million for Jennifer's safe return.


NEW VIDEO: Suspect Parks Kesse's Car

Orlando police released video showing someone dropping off Jennifer's car in a parking lot at a condo complex about a mile from where she disappeared. It's the same person caught on surveillance camera walking away from the apartments.

Until now, police called him a "person of interest." Now, they said, he's their suspect.

Detectives were hoping they'd have found the suspect by now and they wanted to use the video to catch him in a lie. Instead, they're now hoping releasing the tape will help them find out who he is.

"The reason we hold something like that tight is because it's a lot easier to get someone to admit they were walking by a fence than admit they were driving Jennifer's car," said Det. Joel Wright, Orlando Police Department.

Detectives at the Orlando Police Department admit the tape isn't great for identifying who the suspect is, but it does prove that Jennifer did not put the car there herself and it does do one important thing for the case, it gets it back in the headlines.

The video shows Jennifer Kesse's black Chevy Malibu driving into the Huntington on the Green condos around noon on the very day the 24-year-old failed to show up to work. The driver meticulously parks the car, even adjusting his parking before leaving the car. He walks all the way around the pool and then he was captured on surveillance snapshots from a different camera.

At first, the man was called a "person of interest," hoping someone would recognize him.

"If this person happens to have told someone that year, 'It's me, but I don't know anything.' All of a sudden that person goes, 'You, it was you!'" said Jennifer's father, Drew Kesse.

That's the scenario Drew and Joyce Kesse are now hoping for, a year and four months after Jennifer vanished. Drew said, even if it isn't the outcome they want, they still want Jennifer back.

Joyce still hopes for a miracle.

"Truly, it's our biggest fear to never have the answers," Joyce said.

Detectives fear that, too. So far, their suspect has been lucky enough to avoid his face being captured on tape. They hope he isn't lucky enough to avoid their capture forever.

"We are absolutely positive someone has the info to bring this woman home," said Orlando Police Chief Mike McCoy.

If you have any information on Jennifer's whereabouts or the suspect, contact police.

More Headlines

Make WFTV Your Power On

Did you ever turn your television off at night and notice the next morning that your set comes on to a different channel? You can set your cable box so that your TV comes on to the station you want. It's easy! Full Story ››
Step-By-Step Text Instructions


Click Picks
Video Clips
AP Photo/Peter Kramer
Heidi Klum and her post-baby body led the parade at the annual Victoria's Secret fashion show, which returned to New York with some fresh faces after four years on the road. View Images ››


Strange News Photos

From brilliant to bizarre, our 99-photo slideshow captures a variety of strange news. Photos are added often. Take A Look!

County-By-County News

Get Hyper-Local On WFTV.com

Visit our County-By-County section for the latest news headlines out of your county. » County-By-County

When you take videos or photos of Central Florida news or weather events, iWitness is your place to upload them. » iWitness

Visit your headquarters for county-by-county news and resources, and a place to share community videos and photos. » 9Central