On the morning of January 24, 2006, Jennifer Kesse did not arrive at work, sparking immediate concern. Two days later, her black Chevy Malibu was found abandoned at the Huntington on the Green apartment complex, a high-crime area located about a mile from her own residence.

Surveillance footage captured an unidentified individual parking her car at the complex around noon on January 24—the day she vanished. At the time, Jennifer’s condo complex, Mosaic at Millenia, was still under construction. Police records indicate that construction workers were frequently present on-site and were even allowed to live in vacant units.  Source

The disappearance of Jennifer Kesse remains one of Florida’s most haunting unsolved cases. The 24-year-old vanished from her Orlando condo, with no signs of struggle and only grainy surveillance footage of a mysterious person of interest. Nearly two decades later, her family continues to seek answers amid a complex investigation filled with missed leads, forensic questions, and public scrutiny.

Jennifer Kesse Timeline:

Friday, January 20, 2006

• Jennifer returns from a vacation in St. Croix with her boyfriend Rob Allen and other friends.
• She spends the weekend at Rob’s home in Fort Lauderdale.

Sunday, January 22, 2006

• Jennifer drives back from Fort Lauderdale to her Orlando condo at Mosaic at Millenia (approximately a 3-hour drive).
• She speaks with her parents during the drive.
• That evening, she talks with friends and her brother Logan about her trip and plans for the week.

Monday, January 23, 2006

• Jennifer goes to work at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee, Florida. She works as a project manager.
• 6:00 PM – She leaves work and calls her parents on the way home.
• 10:00 PM – Jennifer speaks to her boyfriend Rob Allen on the phone before going to bed. This is the last confirmed contact with her.

Tuesday, January 24, 2006

• 7:30–8:00 AM – Rob expects his usual morning call from Jennifer, but she doesn’t call. His calls to her go to voicemail.
• 8:00–9:00 AM – Jennifer does not show up for work, which is uncharacteristic. Her employer tries to reach her.
• 11:00 AM – Westgate contacts Jennifer’s parents, Drew and Joyce Kesse. They immediately sense something is wrong.
  Her parents drive to her condo in Orlando. They find Jennifer’s car missing, but no signs of forced entry or struggle inside the condo. A wet towel, clothes laid out, and makeup suggest she got ready that morning.
• All personal items cell phone, purse, keys—are missing. Her phone is off.

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

• Morning – Orlando Police begin their investigation. A missing person report is filed.
• Family and friends begin distributing flyers around Jennifer’s neighborhood.

Thursday, January 26, 2006

• 8:10 AM – Jennifer’s black 2004 Chevy Malibu is found abandoned at the Huntington on the Green apartment complex, about one mile from her condo. Source
• Orange County sheriff’s bloodhound Bo took a sniff of the driver’s seat and pulled handler Sgt. Jeff Brown at a loping pace for a mile. The scent led straight to the front door of Kesse’s home in Mosaic at Millenia, an upscale, gated and fenced condominium complex with 24-hour security. The trail bypassed the complex’s only entrance and led to a stretch of fence separating the public sidewalk from its private grounds, the dog picked up the scent inside the fence and went directly to a staircase leading to Kesse’s second-floor condominium. Source
• Surveillance Video – Security footage from the complex shows someone parking Jennifer’s car around noon on January 24, then walking away. The person’s face is obscured by a fence in three consecutive frames.
• The car is processed. Inside, police find hair and a DVD player, but no major signs of a struggle.
• A fingerprint and possible DNA are lifted from the car.

February 3, 2006

• The $100,000 reward for information leading to Jennifer Kesse’s safe return was announced by her family on February 3, 2006 — just 10 days after she went missing. The reward was made possible by an anonymous donor who hoped it would generate new leads in the investigation. Source

February–March 2006

• Police canvass the area with bloodhounds and search nearby lakes, ponds, and wooded areas.
• Crimeline offered Reward Source
• Residents report the presence of construction workers who had made Jennifer uncomfortable in the days prior.
• A person of interest named “Chino” (a former worker at the complex who was out of prison on parole) is identified but never charged.

May 2007

• Jennifer’s case is featured on “Dateline NBC,” drawing national attention.

2008–2010

• Leads slow down. The Kesse family continues to fund private investigations and raise awareness.

2016

• Jennifer is declared legally dead by the state of Florida.

2018

• The Kesse family files a lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department to gain access to the full case file.
• They allege the investigation was mishandled and stonewalled.

March 2019

• The Kesse family wins the lawsuit and receives over 16,000 pages of documents, video, and audio from OPD.
• Private investigator Michael Torretta is hired to re-examine the case.

2019–2022

• Torretta identifies potential new witnesses and reviews evidence from the car and security footage.
• He questions whether Jennifer was abducted from her condo complex, possibly as she was getting into her car.

2023–2024

• New forensic testing is requested. Torretta and the family continue raising funds and public awareness.
• FBI and FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) consult periodically with local authorities.

January 2025

• On the 19th anniversary of her disappearance, the Kesse family holds a vigil and renews public calls for information.
• FDLE confirms they are still actively investigating leads and re-analyzing evidence.

Key Unresolved Elements:

• The identity of the person seen parking Jennifer’s car.
• What happened between 7:30 AM and 12:00 PM on January 24, 2006.
• Whether construction workers or condo maintenance staff were involved.
• The role of “Chino”, who was interviewed years later while in prison.
• No DNA matches from national databases have been reported publicly.

Surveillance Images

• Source: Huntington on the Green Apartments, Orlando, FL
• Date: January 24, 2006
• Time: Approximately 12:00 PM (noon)
• Jennifer Kesse’s black Chevy Malibu was found parked at this apartment complex about 1.1 miles from her home.
• Three images captured on security footage show a person walking away from her vehicle.
• The images are obscured by fence posts, perfectly aligned to hide the person’s face in all frames.
• The person appears to be male, 5’3” to 5’5” tall, and is dressed in workman-like attire, possibly a uniform.
• Investigators believe this individual parked Jennifer’s car and walked away, making them a key person of interest, though their identity has never been determined. (Face blocked by fence in all frames)

Persons of Interest / Suspects

Unidentified “Person of Interest” in Surveillance Footage

• Seen parking Jennifer’s car and walking away.
• Clothing suggests they may have worked in maintenance, construction, or landscaping.
• Face never captured; identity remains unknown.

“Chino”

• A former maintenance worker at Jennifer’s condo complex (Mosaic at Millenia).
• Had a criminal record and was out on parole at the time.
• Had done work in Jennifer’s unit shortly before she vanished.
• Was interviewed years later by a private investigator but was never charged.
• Still considered one of the strongest persons of interest by private investigators.

Construction Workers at Mosaic at Millenia

• Jennifer had told family and friends that she felt uncomfortable and harassed by construction workers near her condo.
• Some had access to vacant units and possibly master keys.
• No specific individuals were ever named or charged, but this angle has been considered seriously by both law enforcement and private investigators.

Rob Allen (Boyfriend)

• Jennifer’s long-distance boyfriend; last person known to speak with her on the phone (10:00 PM, January 23).
• Was in Fort Lauderdale at the time; fully cooperative.
• Cleared by police.

Ex-Boyfriends and Male Acquaintances

• Several men from Jennifer’s past were questioned.
• One had reportedly tried to rekindle their relationship, but no one was considered a viable suspect.

Coworkers at Westgate Resorts

• Jennifer worked in timeshare development and had recently been promoted.
• No credible leads emerged from her workplace, though some coworkers were interviewed.

Mosaic at Millenia Residents

• Police and family canvassed neighbors for weeks.
• Several residents provided tips, but no direct witness ever saw Jennifer leave or return home on January 24.

Summary

• Despite extensive investigation and media coverage, no suspect has ever been arrested or publicly named in Jennifer Kesse’s case. The person captured in surveillance footage remains the strongest lead. The Kesse family and their private investigator believe someone in the area knows who that person is.

March 2019 – Legal Hand off to Family

• After a lawsuit settlement with the Orlando Police Department (OPD), the Kesse family gains access to all case files (over 16,000 pages).
• OPD formally steps away from the investigation.
• The family hires private investigator Michael Torretta to lead a fresh review of the case.
• The Kesse family approaches FDLE for support, requesting new forensic evaluations.

Mid–Late 2019 – Initial Coordination with FDLE

• FDLE begins consulting with Torretta and the Kesse family on re-testing physical evidence, particularly from Jennifer’s Chevy Malibu.
• Focus: Enhancing DNA extraction using modern methods unavailable in 2006.
• FDLE does not take full control but agrees to support forensic testing and analysis.

2020–2021 – Evidence Review Phase

FDLE performs:

• Review of previous forensic work done by OPD.
• Re-examination of biological samples, fingerprints, and surveillance evidence.

Key items re-tested include:

• Hair strands from the vehicle
• Latent fingerprints
• The partial palm print on the car hood
• No DNA or fingerprint matches are found in national databases.
• FDLE also reviews and digitizes security footage, hoping to enhance and re-analyze frames for facial recognition or gait analysis but results are inconclusive.

2022 – Increased FDLE Role

• Public statements from Drew Kesse confirm FDLE is now more formally involved in the investigation.
• FDLE confirms active status of the case and maintains periodic communication with the family and Torretta.
• They receive and review new tips submitted through both official and private investigator channels.

2023–2024 – Continued Support and Analysis

FDLE continues forensic consultation, re-testing physical evidence using:

• Touch DNA analysis
• Advanced latent print analysis
• The agency helps rule out potential suspects or leads raised by the private investigation team.
• FDLE coordinates with the FBI and other agencies as needed to process lab results.

January 2025 – 19-Year Anniversary Update

• At a public vigil marking 19 years since Jennifer’s disappearance, the Kesse family states: FDLE is “still actively involved.”
• New forensic techniques have been applied, though no conclusive breakthrough has emerged.
• The family still maintains a good relationship with FDLE and shares any newly surfaced leads.

Current Status:

• As of 2025, FDLE continues to support the case and considers it open and active.
• Despite enhanced forensic testing, no DNA or fingerprint match has ever been confirmed.
• FDLE remains the primary state agency assisting the family’s ongoing effort to solve the case.

Forensic Evidence Overview:

Condo (Mosaic at Millenia)

• Scene appearance: No signs of forced entry or struggle.
• Wet towel, makeup on counter, and clothes laid out — indicating she likely got ready for work as usual.
• Her cell phone, iPod, purse, keys, and work materials were all missing.
• No blood or visible signs of a crime scene inside the unit.
• Key point: Investigators believe Jennifer may have been abducted as she was leaving for work, possibly in or near the parking lot.

2004 Chevy Malibu (Found January 26, 2006)

• Located at Huntington on the Green, about one mile from her condo.
• Surveillance shows a person of interest parking the car and walking away around noon on January 24.

Forensic findings from the vehicle:

Items recovered:

• Hair strands
• A DVD player (believed to be Jennifer’s)
• Other personal belongings left inside
• No signs of struggle inside the car.
• Fingerprint and latent DNA recovered but: The DNA was either too degraded or insufficient for a match.
• The fingerprint did not match anyone in local or national databases.
• A smear or partial palm print was found on the car hood — potentially indicating someone leaned on it — but again, no match.

DNA Testing and Re-Testing

• 2006: Original forensic analysis performed by Orlando Police Department (OPD).
• 2019–2024: Following a successful lawsuit, the Kesse family obtained the case files and had private investigators request re-testing of biological evidence using advanced modern techniques.
• FDLE (Florida Department of Law Enforcement) took over the case and has reviewed and re-analyzed existing forensic material.
• As of 2024: No confirmed breakthroughs in DNA matching have been announced.

Key Forensic Gaps & Challenges

• No crime scene: The lack of a defined abduction site severely limits context for evidence.
• Surveillance footage: Offers no forensic value due to obscured imagery.
• Degraded or partial DNA: Modern testing has been requested but still yielded no confirmed match.
• Missing items: Jennifer’s cell phone, keys, and purse have never been recovered, preventing possible GPS, fingerprint, or trace evidence recovery.

Conclusion

Despite some physical evidence (DNA, fingerprints, hair) from Jennifer’s car, none has led to an arrest or confirmed suspect. The forensic trail effectively stops at the Huntington on the Green apartment complex, where her car was parked with no usable footage of where the person of interest went next.

Legal Actions by the Kesse Family

2016 – Jennifer Declared Legally Dead

• Action: After ten years with no trace of Jennifer, the Kesse family petitioned the State of Florida to have her legally declared dead.
• Purpose: This allowed the family to manage her financial affairs and insurance matters, as well as press for more aggressive legal and investigative options.

2018 – Lawsuit Against the Orlando Police Department (OPD)

• Filed By: Drew and Joyce Kesse (Jennifer’s parents)
• Venue: Ninth Judicial Circuit Court, Florida
• Core Claim: The OPD had mishandled the investigation and was refusing to release Jennifer’s full case file.
• The family accused OPD of: Failing to preserve or pursue leads. Losing valuable time in the early stages of the case. Lack of transparency with the family about evidence, leads, and case status.
• Legal Argument: As Jennifer had been declared legally deceased, her parents should have the legal right to act as her representatives and request her records under Florida’s Public Records Act.

March 2019 – Legal Victory and Case File Access

• After prolonged legal proceedings, the Kesse family reached a settlement with the City of Orlando.
• Result: The Kesse family was granted access to the full investigative case file, including:
• Over 16,000 pages of documents
• 67 hours of audio recordings
• Photographs, video, and forensic reports

As part of the agreement:

• The Orlando Police Department stepped back from the investigation.
• The Kesse family took full control of the case, with assistance from private investigators.

2019–Present – Private Investigation and Collaboration with FDLE

• Following the legal win, the Kesses hired private investigator Michael Torretta, who began re investigating the case using the now-available materials.
• The Kesse family also began collaborating with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE), which provided assistance with forensic testing and evidence review.

Statements from the Family

• Drew Kesse has publicly criticized OPD for: Delaying the release of time-sensitive evidence. Not acting on tips related to construction workers and maintenance staff. Failing to identify the person of interest in surveillance footage.
• The family has spent over $500,000 of their own money in their quest for answers.

2006

• Authorities in Orlando, Fla., are searching for a University of Central Florida graduate who did not show up for work Tuesday after she said she was going to mail a package, according to a Local 6 News report.
  Investigators said Jennifer Kesse, 24, did not show up for work at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee, Fla., Tuesday morning.
  Family and friends are concerned because she can always be reached by phone or by her family. Kesse’s family has tried to call her cell phone but calls are immediately sent to voice mail. Orange County deputies found the car belonging to a missing 24-year-old Orlando woman at the Huntington on the Green apartments at Americana and Texas on Thursday morning. Sheriff deputies acted on vehicle information provided from the news media.  Source
• Jennifer graduated from the University of Central Florida in 2003 with a degree in finance. In college, she was well liked and was a member of the Alpha Delta Pi sorority. Her sorority sisters have helped with the search by passing out flyers and standing by as officers canvass Orlando.  Source
• Officers performed a grid search in a wooded area Thursday afternoon after the car of a missing Orlando woman was found parked at a condominium complex hours earlier, according to police. Investigators said Jennifer Kesse, 24, did not show up for work at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee, Fla., Tuesday morning. Family and friends were immediately concerned because Kesse can always be reached by phone or by her family. Kesse’s family has tried to call her cell phone, but calls are immediately sent to voice mail. Source
• Officers performed a grid search in a wooded area Thursday afternoon after the car of a missing Orlando woman was found parked at a condominium complex hours earlier, according to police. Kesse’s 2004 Chevrolet Malibu was found abandoned at the corner of Texas and Americana at the Huntington on the Green apartment complex. Officers responded to the car and did not find a person inside the vehicle, Jones said. It was not known how long the car was parked at the condo, Local 6 News reported. Detectives were going door-to-door asking residents if they had any information about the woman or the car.  Source
• Orange County sheriff’s bloodhound Bo took a sniff of the driver’s seat and pulled handler Sgt. Jeff Brown at a loping pace for a mile. The scent led straight to the front door of Kesse’s home in Mosaic at Millenia, an upscale, gated and fenced condominium complex with 24-hour security. The trail bypassed the complex’s only entrance and led to a stretch of fence separating the public sidewalk from its private grounds. Once the 6-year-old bloodhound entered the grounds, the dog picked up the scent inside the fence and went directly to a staircase leading to Kesse’s second-floor condominium. Source
• The $100,000 reward for information leading to Jennifer Kesse’s safe return was announced by her family on February 3, 2006 — just 10 days after she went missing. The reward was made possible by an anonymous donor who hoped it would generate new leads in the investigation. Source

Video:  $250,000 Offered
Video:  ‘Person Of Interest’ Details
Images: Person Of Interest
Images: Kesse Photos
Video: Psychics Call
Video: FBI To Focus On Photo
Video: Search On Horseback
Video: Car Found
Video: Dogs Search
Map: Search Area