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Detectives: Someone Other Than Jennifer Drove Her Car

Posted: 12:07 pm EST February 21, 2006Updated: 4:01 pm EST February 21, 2006

Channel 9 has new information about the person of interest wanted for questioning in the case of a missing woman. Jennifer Kesse was reported missing four weeks ago. Also, a major clue in the case, Jennifer’s car, may now be a crime scene.

Detectives wrapped up a news conference at Orlando police headquarters late Tuesday morning. Two big pieces of information came out of the press conference. First, detectives now confirm someone other than Jennifer drove her car the night or morning she disappeared.

Detectives also released the approximate height of the person of interest in the case.

Detectives said the best piece of evidence they have is Jennifer's black Chevy Malibu, recovered about a mile from her condo two days after she vanished. Police said they believe she was abducted between ten o'clock Monday night and 8 o'clock Tuesday morning four weeks ago.

"It's about a life. It's our daughter's life and we need your help more than ever right now," said Jennifer's father, Drew Kesse.

Investigators are calling on the public to think back whether they saw someone other than Jennifer driving the car during that time frame. The car is being called a crime scene.

"It is the one link we have, or the last link we have, between Ms. Kesse and we believe she was in or near that vehicle during the time of her abduction," said Sgt. Rich Ring, Orlando Police Department.

Police also want to talk with the person in surveillance photos, now saying the man or woman is between 5-foot-3 and 5-foot-5. But the surveillance pictures were too fuzzy for the FBI to determine an approximate weight or shoe size. Detectives said the person of interest may have seen someone ditch Jennifer's car at the Huntington on the Green condos.

"For the person who's responsible for this out there, it will only take a very small piece of evidence in today's world of forensic science for you to get caught," Sgt. Ring said.

Detectives admit they've had to scale back some of their resources in light of new cases that have come in, but they said the case is far from cold with new leads coming in every day.

"Now is the time to make a deal. If you somehow got caught up in this situation, come forward now before there are no opportunities for deals to be made," Jennifer's mother, Joyce Kesse, said.

If you have any information about this case, there is a $115,000 reward. Call 800-423-TIPS.

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