Gurd, who teaches 5th grade math and science, had only listened to three podcasts all of them of the true-crime variety before deciding to start Unconcluded. At the time she vanished, she was living in Orlando. Also making people aware that it's still unsolved, 11 years later.". Police later found her car parked at another condominium complex a mile away and grainy surveillance video captured the image of a person leaving the car and walking way. He has never been identified. Seventeen heart-shaped balloons were left at the Mosaic at Millenia complex where Kesse was last seen on January 24, 2006. Whether or not it's true, though, is not the point. The grainy video shows a man parking Kesse's car at Huntington and walking away. After hearing about the case from his wife last year, Gurd said he couldnt stop thinking about Kesses disappearance. It was an instant cultural phenomenon, becoming the fastest podcast to reach 5 million downloads in iTunes history. "It looked like someone was thrown down on the top of the hood arms spread out and then dragged back almost like off the hood to the point where you can almost see fingers scribbling down the hood," the father of Jennifer Kesse, who vanished without a trace in 2006, said. Two days later, her black Chevy Malibu was found at an apartment complex in a high-crime area of Orlando, about a mile from her condo. Kesse was reported missing Jan. 24, 2006 when she didn't show up for work at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee. In Gurd's most recent podcast, Episode 7, he played a phone interview with a woman who he and his partner believe lived at Huntington at the time when Kesse's car was abandoned. WebJennifer Joyce Kesse (born May 20, 1981) is an American woman from Orlando, Florida, who has been missing since January 23, 2006. Soon after, Orlando police released a surveillance video clip recorded from Huntington on the Green, an apartment complex 1.2 miles from where Kesse lived at the Mosiac at Millenia condos. Others followed, including In the Dark, which explored the 1989 abduction and murder of an 11-year-old boy, and Undisclosed, which investigates wrongful convictions, along with a slew of others with names like True Crime Garage and Someone Knows Something. Today, its garnering more than 300,000 a month and growing and has led to a half-dozen credible leads. Kesses family says they are now convinced the image of the black Chevrolet sedan could hold the key to solving her disappearance. Hes garnering a bigger and bigger audience every single week, and thats what she needs.. But he wants closure in the case, in any form that may take. The case centers on Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared on January 24, 2006, when she didnt show up for work. Orlando Police detectives have not been able to find a suspect, but they do think Kesse was abducted. Drew Kesse says a part of the settlement required the police department to hand over all of the files over a four-month period. With no prior knowledge of audio production or investigations, he and a friend Scott Jamison, 34, of Gainesville started a podcast, called "Unconcluded," exploring the possibilities of what happened to the then 24-year-old who vanished from her Orlando condo in 2006. They tell their listeners they're "not police, reporters or investigators." "I see this girl coming to me, 'Hi ya' doing' [she says], she was with a guy, and the guy brushed her off," said the woman in the podcast. Kesse was last seen at her Orlando condo near Mall at Millenia. Monday marks 16 years since Jennifer Kesse disappeared. Gurd also runs a Facebook group discussion page where people from all over the world discuss and debate the Kesse case all day, every day. "They are definitely raising awareness again in a big way and the thoughts and people who have been sidelined seem to be finally coming out to speak. Besides reviving forgotten cases, the podcasts also often embolden witnesses who may have been hesitant to speak up immediately after the initial crime, he said. No, other than her statements.". Get an all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! Jennifer Kesse was reported missing after she didnt show up to work on the morning of January 24, 2006. Gurd, a fifth-grade teacher in Tampa, and his partner Scott Jamison, a college athletics teacher in Gainesville, regularly meet in Orlando to investigate potential leads, Gurd said. The case centers on Jennifer Kesse, who disappeared on January 24, 2006, when she didnt show up for work. Jennifer Kesse was last seen leaving work in Orlando, Florida on January 23, 2006. At approximately 8 a.m. on Thursday, January 26, a resident of the Huntington on the Green condominium complex reported they found Jennifer Kesse's car in a visitor's spot in the parking lot. The hosts of the "Unconcluded" podcast are investigating leads in the case of missing Orlando woman Jennifer Kesse. "In this particular case, we found a lot of information she gave to be credible. Jennifer Kesse was reported missing after she didnt show up to work on the morning of Jan. 24, 2006, according to WKMG. Her black Chevy Malibu was found abandoned one mile away from her home. Newly releasedimages in a cold case involving a 24-year-old Florida business executive, who vanished in 2006, may indicate that a violent struggle unfolded before her disappearance, according to the womans family. We're talking with people, we're not talking at people. The case so intrigued Shaun Gurd, a Tampa-area elementary teacher who heard about it from his wife, that he recently decided to start a podcast, along with friend Scott Jamison, looking into the details of the disappearance. He had never heard of the Kesse case until his wife told him about it. Follow him on Twitter at: @MrRJervis. Father Of Missing Florida Woman Discusses Tip In Case. And say there may be some benefit to that. So far, Gurd and Jamison haveproduced six episodes and several other smaller broadcasts. "It costs way more than anybody would think to do the investigations and travel," Gurd said. Jennifer needs to come home, he said. Her familys pursuit to discover what happened to her has led them to the bottom of lakes and from Mexico to Jennifer Kesse has been missing for 17 years: Her family hasn't stopped the search Her family has renewed hope after investigators with the FDLE joined the search. "I love our group because there are so many different perspectives looking at the facts," Shreve Jett said. When it launched earlier this year, the podcast, Unconcluded, drew around 15,000 downloads. Its going to take time. She had a successful career, boyfriend and plush condo. in a cold case involving a 24-year-old Florida business executive, who vanished in 2006, may indicate that a violent struggle unfolded before her disappearance, according to the womans family. (Gurd)has brought this back to light in a way I cant, Drew Kesse said. Its been learn as we go, he said. Check out never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more! WebA young woman vanishes from her Florida condo security footage captures a phantom figure calmly parking her car. Jennifer Kesse's parents plead for information on the 10th anniversary of her disappearance. The 24-year-old simply vanished and no one has ever been arrested. Is it the kidnapper? I will take her any way I can get her., Anyone with information related to Kesses disappearance is urged to contact the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300 or the Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS. "We don't want to air something on the podcast that's going to add to the misinformation that's already out there," Gurd said. "How have we not progressed in 11 years to at least a direction?" Jennifer Kesse's parents plead for information on the 10th anniversary of her disappearance. 3. 2. Few clues were discovered when Jennifer Kesse disappeared almost 15 years ago, but her father now says that new images of her abandoned Chevrolet Malibu indicate that she may have been attacked before going missing. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance. Her black Chevy Malibu was found abandoned one mile away from her home. Jennifer Kesse was last seen leaving work in Orlando, Florida on January 23, 2006. In 2018, the family sued the Orlando Police Department in order to obtain the records pertaining to the case, the Orlando Sentinelreported. He said they're not his podcasts, they're everyone's. "It's grown way beyond what we expected,"Gurd said. Can I move it forward and make people aware of it and encourage someone to come forward that allows law enforcement to solve this case? "As Shaun and Scott offer their information, we, as listeners, get to come here and all interact and offer suggestions," she said. Another clue in the case involves a CCTV video of an individual exiting Kesse'scar before it was recovered by authorities. Jennifer Kesse, 24, disappeared from Orlando, Fla., on Jan. 24, 2006. Anyone with information on this case can call the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300 if they wish to speak to a detective, or the Central Florida Crimeline at 800-423-TIPS, if they wish to remain anonymous. 2023 FOX Television Stations, Drew Kesse believes, the markings on the hood, show signs of a violent struggle, Dive teams search lake following new tip on Jennifer Kesse, missing since 2006, Get news alerts and updates in the free FOX 13 News app, Watch: Fishermen spot sharks in huge feeding frenzy off Louisiana coast, One month ago, Harriet the eagle disappeared from her famous Florida nest, 3 Daughters head brewer killed in Skyway Bridge accident, company says, Tampa residents of mobile home park get more time to vacate after Hillsborough County contacts landlord, 3 shot, including 6-year-old girl, in Land OLakes home invasion, sheriff says, Tom Sizemore, 'Saving Private Ryan' Actor, Dies at 61 after suffering brain aneurysm, 8-year-old girl who performed solo wins big in cheer competition after team didn't show up, From Coconut Road to Moose Tracks, here's the scoop on how Publix creates its ice cream, North Port brush fire: Roads reopen after fire forces closures on I-75; schools evacuate as precaution. Oxygen Insider is your all-access pass to never-before-seen content, free digital evidence kits, and much more. "We never want it to be a business we're not out to make money.". "I sit at my kitchen table and record after my kids go to bed and I put my dogs away.". Margie Dempsey Bogus, who lives in Connecticut, said the collective approach helps spread the message of the Kesse case. Is it the kidnapper? "48 Hours" correspondent Peter Van Sant reports. In three months, "Unconcluded" has averaged about 175,000 unique downloads per month and nearly 1,400 people are members of a Facebook discussion page about the podcast. The comments keep going on," he said. Kesse was a graduate of Gaither High School in Tampa. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Drew Kesse, Kesses father, said he didnt expectmuch when he heard Gurd was launching a podcast about his daughters disappearance. previously reported that no signs of a struggle were evident. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance. he said. Copyright 2017 by WKMG ClickOrlando - All rights reserved. Kesse was 24 years old at the time of her disappearance. "The 'citizen detectives,' they want to be involved and try to help.". The woman said Kesse was walking with a man. Crime News is your destination for true crime stories from around the world, breaking crime news, and information about Oxygen's original true crime shows and documentaries. "We need people to realize that she's a human being.". Jennifer Kesse was reported missing after she didnt show up to work on the morning of January 24, 2006. Is it the kidnapper? It looked as though two people were fighting over the steering wheel.". We really havent seen the general public involved in this type of cold case exploration before these podcasts, he said. Jennifer Kesse has been missing for 17 years: Her family hasn't stopped the search Her family has renewed hope after investigators with the FDLE joined the search. Erik joined the News 6 News Team in 2003 days after the tragic loss of space shuttle Columbia. Gurd said he hopes airing the possible sightings will encourage others with information to come forward. Two days later, her black Chevy Malibu was found at an apartment complex in a high-crime area of Orlando, about a mile from her condo. One of the first and most popular, Serial, began in 2014 with a look into the 1999 murder of an 18-year-old Baltimore high school student. "I listen to all of them as soon as they come out. Gurd and Jamison who have families and full-time jobs began working on the podcast earlier this year, buying a microphone on the internet and teaching themselves audio production techniques. For example, in a recent episode, Gurd interviewed a Tennessee woman who swears she saw Kesse inside a jewelry shop in the year after her disappearance with a man who she thinks was trafficking her. More Videos Kudos to 'Unconcluded' thus far.". Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. "I don't expect to be the guy from 'NCIS' who digs up some clue and points the finger at somebody," Jamison said. Unconcluded is the latest in a series of true-crime podcasts that have exploded onto the podcast scene, drawing millions of listeners and spawningparallel investigations into often decades-old criminal cases. Jennifer Kesse before her disappearance, left, and how she may look today, at right. Those with information about Kesse's case can call the Orlando Police Department at 321-235-5300. cdoornbos@orlandosentinel.com, 407-650-6931 or @CaitlinDoornbos. But that lead has never led to any arrests, USA Todayreportedin 2017. Kesse was reported missing on Jan. 24, 2006, after failing to show up to her job as a financial analyst. Link your TV provider to stream full episodes and live TV. Drew Kesse believes, the markings on the hood, show signs of "After 11 years, it's very difficult for her not to be an object," he said. "I wish everyone could have a daughter like her," he said. It allows us to have some emotions behind it," Gurd said. Jennifer Kesse's family was back in court Thursday after suing the Orlando Police Department in an attempt to obtain records of their missing daughter's case. But that lead has never led to any arrests, USA Today, In 2018, the family sued the Orlando Police Department in order to obtain the records pertaining to the case, the Orlando Sentinel. "We want everyone in the world to help.". (Drew Kesse). Jennifer Kesse was last seen leaving work in Orlando, Florida on January 23, 2006.