TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – Drew Kesse is seeing new signs of hope, including the loss of daughter Jennifer. He learned this new information the week of her 44th birthday. According to Kesse, the case is no longer considered “cold,” with people of interest narrowing down and new items found to undergo DNA testing.
“They’re getting closer to really knowing where Jennifer is and what happened to Jennifer,” Kesse said.
The missing woman’s father no longer lives in Tampa Bay. He’s now thousands of miles away, but he’s searching for answers every time he has a new lead.
“I hope Jennifer gets home, so that’s what you mean,” Kesse said.
Jennifer grew up in Odessa and graduated from Gay Her High School. She moved to Orlando for university and ended up working there. She last saw her leave for work in January 2006. Her father suspects a foul play.
“You ask me, Jennifer isn’t alive. So what is it about? Jennifer had no enemies. She was following her life. She was just doing what people expect,” Kesse said.
The father worked with a private investigator to sued the Orlando Police Department in 2019 for an unedited case file, gathering hints from the public.
In 2022, the Florida Department of Law Enforcement has taken up the case and has been working to find the answer ever since.
“It’s viable. It’s working on it and they believe it’s solveable. It’s huge,” Kesse said.
Jennifer’s father said he hasn’t given up on looking for answers, even if these new leads go flat.
“I am the father of a young woman who was taken against her will. It’s my daughter. I don’t know how to leave. I don’t know how to stop. I don’t know how to do less than I do.
If you have any tips, please email orocoldcasetips@fdle.state.fl.us or visit this website: https://jenniferkesse.com/
