My cousin Jennifer, holding me when I was a baby.
As I read the latest updates on the investigation into the disappearance of Rachel Hoffman, I was forced to think back to my 22nd birthday gathering on Dec. 28, 2005. My immediate family, several close friends and a few extended relatives, including my older cousin Jennifer, were present to enjoy cake and open gifts and cards before a night on the town.
That was the last time I’ve seen her. Jennifer Kesse has been missing since Jan. 24, 2006.
Little evidence has been uncovered in the two years since her disappearance, but the known facts suggest she was kidnapped. Her car was found in an apartment complex a mile from where she lived in Orlando. There is surveillance video that shows someone else driving her car, but the image isn’t clear enough to determine the sex of the driver, let alone provide a helpful description. Footage that shows the same person walking away from the apartment is also unclear.
Almost any theory you could come up with has been a dead end. It isn’t at all in her personality to just take off without notifying anyone. She had every reason to stay—a loving boyfriend, caring family, great job, new apartment—so barring a complete mental “snap” (rare, but possible), foul play is the most likely conclusion.
There’s no evidence at her apartment or in the parking lot that indicates a struggle. No DNA, fingerprints, witnesses or other common elements of TV crime dramas. Jennifer almost literally is missing “without a trace.”
Jennifer’s parents, Drew and Joyce Kesse, have been active in spreading the word about her case and lobbying for improved missing persons legislation ever since. Their hard work and the efforts of countless other supporters finally paid off on Friday, May 3 when the Florida Senate and House passed SB502/HB223 – the “Jennifer Kesse” bill. It awaits the signature of Gov. Charlie Crist.
Under current law, the cutoff for an Amber Alert is age 18. Jennifer’s bill requires law enforcement to send out alerts within two hours of anyone under the age of 25 going missing. My cousin was 24 at the time she went missing. Rachel Hoffman is 23.
Fortunately for Hoffman and her family, Tallahassee Police Department issued a press release about her case about 12 hours after she went missing around 7 p.m. Wednesday and they have done an admirable job in gathering evidence since, including locating the car and publishing photos of “persons of interest.”
As any investigator will tell you, the first 48 hours of someone going missing are critical to solving the case. The “Jennifer Kesse” bill will allow for investigators to begin their search sooner and hopefully increase the odds that victims like Rachel Hoffman are found. I hope and pray for Rachel, her family and loved ones that there is a happy ending to this case.
As for Jennifer, after two years we’d settle for any sort of ending at all.
