Finding Jennifer Kesse: Could this be the missing link?
In the months after Jennifer Kesse disappeared, her face was everywhere in Orlando — on buses, on posters, wrapped around her family’s SUV. Over time, those images faded, but her parents say the search never did. Even now, they live with what they describe as “two minds”: one focused on everyday life, and the other always searching for Jennifer. Tips continue to come in, sometimes daily, and Drew and Joyce say they read every single one. In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the case, and in the spring of 2025, investigators announced Jennifer’s disappearance was no longer considered cold. Using new DNA evidence and emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, FDLE is reexamining the infamous surveillance video — this time focusing not on the face behind the gate post, but on a small detail once overlooked: the suspect’s ear. For Jennifer’s family, it’s a renewed chance at answers they’ve waited two decades for. And while they acknowledge the painful possibility that Jennifer may never be found, they say knowing everything possible was done matters — and that hope, no matter how fragile, is something they refuse to give up. FOX 35 Docs | Part 4
In the months after Jennifer Kesse disappeared, her face was everywhere in Orlando — on buses, on posters, wrapped around her family’s SUV. Over time, those images faded, but her parents say the search never did. Even now, they live with what they describe as “two minds”: one focused on everyday life, and the other always searching for Jennifer. Tips continue to come in, sometimes daily, and Drew and Joyce say they read every single one. In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the case, and in the spring of 2025, investigators announced Jennifer’s disappearance was no longer considered cold. Using new DNA evidence and emerging technology, including artificial intelligence, FDLE is reexamining the infamous surveillance video — this time focusing not on the face behind the gate post, but on a small detail once overlooked: the suspect’s ear. For Jennifer’s family, it’s a renewed chance at answers they’ve waited two decades for. And while they acknowledge the painful possibility that Jennifer may never be found, they say knowing everything possible was done matters — and that hope, no matter how fragile, is something they refuse to give up. FOX 35 Docs | Part 4
Jan. 24, 2006: The day Jennifer Kesse vanished
In January 2006, Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance wasn’t a cold case — it was breaking news. Inside the FOX 35 newsroom, anchors and producers quickly realized this story felt different. That Tuesday morning, Jennifer didn’t show up for work, something her parents and coworkers say never happened. When her parents tried calling her, her phone went straight to voicemail — a first, and an immediate red flag. Inside Jennifer’s condo, there were signs of a normal morning: a damp towel, pajamas left behind, no sign of a struggle. But Jennifer’s keys, purse, iPod, and car were gone. Her parents say Jennifer had recently mentioned feeling uneasy around construction workers at her condo complex, where renovations were ongoing. As hours passed, the family grew frustrated with what they describe as a slow initial response from law enforcement, fearing precious time was being lost. Friends and sorority sisters began handing out flyers, while Jennifer’s family took matters into their own hands — the beginning of a fight they never imagined would last two decades. FOX 35 Docs | Part 2
In January 2006, Jennifer Kesse’s disappearance wasn’t a cold case — it was breaking news. Inside the FOX 35 newsroom, anchors and producers quickly realized this story felt different. That Tuesday morning, Jennifer didn’t show up for work, something her parents and coworkers say never happened. When her parents tried calling her, her phone went straight to voicemail — a first, and an immediate red flag. Inside Jennifer’s condo, there were signs of a normal morning: a damp towel, pajamas left behind, no sign of a struggle. But Jennifer’s keys, purse, iPod, and car were gone. Her parents say Jennifer had recently mentioned feeling uneasy around construction workers at her condo complex, where renovations were ongoing. As hours passed, the family grew frustrated with what they describe as a slow initial response from law enforcement, fearing precious time was being lost. Friends and sorority sisters began handing out flyers, while Jennifer’s family took matters into their own hands — the beginning of a fight they never imagined would last two decades. FOX 35 Docs | Part 2
Jennifer Kesse: 20 Years Later | FOX 35 Docs
A lot has changed in the 20 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared on January 24, 2006. But even now, she’s never been found. What went wrong on that January day? Should the cold case already have been cracked? And is there any hope left to find her? FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer looks at those questions through the eyes of Jennifer’s parents Drew and Joyce Kesse, former Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolon and FOX 35 News Anchor Amy Kaufeldt, who has covered the case for two decades.
A lot has changed in the 20 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared on January 24, 2006. But even now, she’s never been found. What went wrong on that January day? Should the cold case already have been cracked? And is there any hope left to find her? FOX 35’s Garrett Wymer looks at those questions through the eyes of Jennifer’s parents Drew and Joyce Kesse, former Orlando police Chief Orlando Rolon and FOX 35 News Anchor Amy Kaufeldt, who has covered the case for two decades.
Jennifer Kesse: Orlando woman missing for 20 years; FOX 35 explores cold case
Jennifer Kesse, 24, disappeared from her Orlando condo on Jan. 24, 2006 -- and has never been seen or found. The case went cold, then reopened. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer talked with Kesse's parents, former Orlando police chief Orlando Rolon, and Anchor Amy Kaufeldt about what we know -- and don't know -- 20 years later.
Jennifer Kesse, 24, disappeared from her Orlando condo on Jan. 24, 2006 -- and has never been seen or found. The case went cold, then reopened. FOX 35's Garrett Wymer talked with Kesse's parents, former Orlando police chief Orlando Rolon, and Anchor Amy Kaufeldt about what we know -- and don't know -- 20 years later.
Kevin Johnson: Former NFL defensive lineman's death being investigated as homicide
Kevin Johnson played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s. His cause of death is being investigated as a homicide.
Kevin Johnson played for the Philadelphia Eagles and Oakland Raiders in the 1990s. His cause of death is being investigated as a homicide.
2-year-old girl in ICE custody: Judge orders release
A 2-year-old child from Ecuador who was taken into ICE custody with her father during a Minneapolis traffic stop on Thursday has been ordered to be released.
A 2-year-old child from Ecuador who was taken into ICE custody with her father during a Minneapolis traffic stop on Thursday has been ordered to be released.
Ryan Wedding, former Olympic snowboarder on FBI's 'Most Wanted' list, arrested
Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, was arrested on Friday and is facing charges related to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witnesses.
Ryan Wedding, a former Olympic snowboarder, was arrested on Friday and is facing charges related to drug trafficking and the killing of a federal witnesses.
Mini cow safari in Clermont
Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch in Clermont offers an educational, hands-on experience that lets visits pet Highland cows, see mini donkeys and more. FOX 35's David Martin has the details.
Whispering Oaks Miniature Ranch in Clermont offers an educational, hands-on experience that lets visits pet Highland cows, see mini donkeys and more. FOX 35's David Martin has the details.
Amazon to cut thousands of jobs in sweeping corporate layoffs
Amazon is preparing to lay off thousands of employees in a broad corporate workforce reduction that could begin as early as next week.
Amazon is preparing to lay off thousands of employees in a broad corporate workforce reduction that could begin as early as next week.
Former Bartow police officer accused of poisoning his girlfriend's Maltese poodle
A former Bartow police officer has been arrested for poisoning his girlfriend's dog because he did not like the pet, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
A former Bartow police officer has been arrested for poisoning his girlfriend's dog because he did not like the pet, according to the Hillsborough County Sheriff's Office.
Over a dozen baby raccoons nurtured back to health after abandoned in Brevard
More than a dozen orphans are being rehabbed after their moms were re-located or the babies were left behind.
More than a dozen orphans are being rehabbed after their moms were re-located or the babies were left behind.
Man who intervened in alleged knife attack on child: 'Fight or flight kicked in ... my body chose fight'
A man who intervened in an alleged attack on a 13-year-old boy at a school bus stop said he would do it again, despite being injured in the struggle.
A man who intervened in an alleged attack on a 13-year-old boy at a school bus stop said he would do it again, despite being injured in the struggle.
The lowest wind chill ever recorded
A New Hampshire mountain holds the record for the lowest wind chill ever recorded in the U.S.
A New Hampshire mountain holds the record for the lowest wind chill ever recorded in the U.S.
GRU Space taking $250,000-$1 million deposits to reserve rooms for 1st moon hotel
GRU Space hopes to have the first lunar hotel that will eventually serve as a hub and, in the future, will be the foundation for an established civilization on the moon.
GRU Space hopes to have the first lunar hotel that will eventually serve as a hub and, in the future, will be the foundation for an established civilization on the moon.
Barron Trump reportedly saved woman's life after witnessing violent assault on FaceTime call
A woman testified that her friend, President Donald Trump's son, contacted emergency services after seeing her allegedly being attacked by an ex-boyfriend.
A woman testified that her friend, President Donald Trump's son, contacted emergency services after seeing her allegedly being attacked by an ex-boyfriend.
FDA approves drug to treat dogs with idiopathic epilepsy
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug to control seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, a type of seizure disorder without a known cause.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a drug to control seizures in dogs with idiopathic epilepsy, a type of seizure disorder without a known cause.
Teso Life Asian Department Store in Orlando
Teso Life opened in Orlando a couple of months ago. The store sells a variety of Asian snacks, grocery items, home goods and more. FOX 35's David Martin has the details.
Teso Life opened in Orlando a couple of months ago. The store sells a variety of Asian snacks, grocery items, home goods and more. FOX 35's David Martin has the details.
Man allegedly posed as pilot, flight attendant to get hundreds of free flights, officials say
A Canadian man allegedly posed as an airline pilot and as a flight attendant and managed to get hundreds of free flights over four years, officials said.
A Canadian man allegedly posed as an airline pilot and as a flight attendant and managed to get hundreds of free flights over four years, officials said.
Tails of the Wild
A nonprofit organization in Polk City provides a home to unwanted, abused and neglected wildlife. People can visit and learn more about the animals and conservation. FOX 35's David Martin has all the details.
A nonprofit organization in Polk City provides a home to unwanted, abused and neglected wildlife. People can visit and learn more about the animals and conservation. FOX 35's David Martin has all the details.
SeaWorld Orlando offers Florida teachers free admission
The free Florida Teacher Card is valid for unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando through Sept. 3.
The free Florida Teacher Card is valid for unlimited admission to SeaWorld Orlando through Sept. 3.