ORLANDO, Fla. (WWSB) – Nearly 20 years after Jennifer Kesse disappeared, her father says Florida investigators have made significant progress in the case. They’ve narrowed the list of persons of interest to just a few people.
Drew Kesse spoke about new developments in his daughter’s case, including DNA evidence that had never been tested and the use of artificial intelligence technology. Jennifer Kesse vanished from her Orlando condominium complex in January 2006. She was 24 years old.
“FDLE informed us that they are down to just a few people,” Drew Kesse said. “They have been able to just disqualify a lot of the people just through the investigations and interrogations that they have done.”
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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the case from the Orlando police. Drew Kesse said investigators told the family Jennifer’s case is no longer considered cold.
All DNA evidence in the case has been sent back for re-examination using newer technology. Drew Kesse said DNA testing has expanded from 19 markers to 26 markers since the original investigation.
“FDLE had made it at, I think, in July, when they gave a presser, which was that they had found a couple of pieces of DNA that had not been tested,” he said. “So that’s going back through.”
The family was recently contacted about false social media posts claiming a construction worker had been tracked down by DNA and would be extradited. Drew Kesse called those claims “completely and utterly untrue statements.”
Investigators are now working with an artificial intelligence company to analyze the case files. Drew Kesse said he had been asking investigators for two years to try AI technology.
“We were advised in July that they are now with a very reputable AI company that is handling the entire case,” he said.
The technology is being used to analyze all available information about Jennifer’s disappearance. This includes the grainy surveillance footage that captured an unidentified person parking Jennifer’s car.
Three production companies approached the Kesse family about creating a documentary. They selected one group and are currently in production.
“To be upfront and honest, I want Netflix,” Drew Kesse said. “I think it’s just the biggest audience.”
The documentary is targeting a January air date to coincide with the 20th anniversary of Jennifer’s disappearance. Drew Kesse hopes the increased attention will generate new leads.
Drew Kesse described the emotional toll the case has taken on his family over two decades. He and his wife Joyce, were 48 when Jennifer disappeared. They are now 68.
“We have our health issues on through two bouts of cancer, Joyce, health issues,” he said. “So we’re not going to be around that, you know, we’re not going to be around to do the things that we’re going to need to do if we don’t find her.”
He said he hasn’t slept a full night in 20 years and typically gets about four hours of sleep. The family has dealt with death threats and extortion attempts over the years.
Despite the challenges, Drew Kesse remains determined to find answers about his daughter’s fate.
“It’s in my DNA that I’m going to find my daughter, period,” he said. “Before I die.”
The family asks anyone with information about Jennifer’s disappearance to contact authorities. Drew Kesse emphasized that people should only trust information that comes directly from the family or the FDLE.
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