1 00:00:07,840 --> 00:00:10,108 [female narrator] when a devoted mother disappears, 2 00:00:10,177 --> 00:00:13,111 Loved ones fear the worst. 3 00:00:13,180 --> 00:00:14,379 No matter where joleen was at, 4 00:00:14,448 --> 00:00:17,182 She would always answer her phone. 5 00:00:17,184 --> 00:00:19,918 I just felt like somethin' bad had happened 6 00:00:19,987 --> 00:00:22,988 And that she wouldn't be back. 7 00:00:23,056 --> 00:00:24,190 [narrator] a woman with a history 8 00:00:24,258 --> 00:00:27,193 Of choosing the wrong man... 9 00:00:27,195 --> 00:00:28,861 She didn't always pick the best guys. 10 00:00:28,929 --> 00:00:30,129 I don't know why. 11 00:00:30,131 --> 00:00:31,463 She could always do so much better. 12 00:00:36,337 --> 00:00:40,205 [narrator] ...Crosses a stranger with a secret past. 13 00:00:40,273 --> 00:00:43,442 [bill] she went by around 17 different aliases. 14 00:00:43,510 --> 00:00:47,246 She had several driver's licenses in different states, 15 00:00:47,314 --> 00:00:50,682 [charity] we just didn't know what we had at that point. 16 00:00:50,684 --> 00:00:51,951 Who is this lady? 17 00:01:00,294 --> 00:01:02,427 [narrator] the search uncovers an overwhelming 18 00:01:02,429 --> 00:01:07,700 Amount of lies and unspeakable violence. 19 00:01:07,768 --> 00:01:09,501 And you say, holy crap. 20 00:01:09,503 --> 00:01:11,971 You know, something really serious happened in here. 21 00:01:17,244 --> 00:01:19,312 [wayne] she was extremely jealous. 22 00:01:19,379 --> 00:01:23,448 She was very controlling. She was at times very violent. 23 00:01:23,517 --> 00:01:26,318 This is a, a weird, evil woman. 24 00:01:30,991 --> 00:01:36,929 [music] 25 00:01:41,001 --> 00:01:42,734 [music] 26 00:01:42,736 --> 00:01:45,638 [narrator] the quaint charm of fernandina beach, florida 27 00:01:45,706 --> 00:01:50,676 Makes it a favorite destination for locals and visitors alike. 28 00:01:50,745 --> 00:01:54,079 [wayne] fernandina beach is located on amelia island. 29 00:01:54,148 --> 00:01:56,381 It's in the very northeastern corner of florida, 30 00:01:56,383 --> 00:01:58,550 Just above jacksonville. 31 00:01:58,619 --> 00:02:02,555 It's a little island. Everybody knows everybody. 32 00:02:02,623 --> 00:02:06,292 And so it's a great place to grow up and raise a family. 33 00:02:09,429 --> 00:02:14,366 [narrator] but on may 14, 2018, a feeling of dread settles over 34 00:02:14,434 --> 00:02:18,570 The beach town when anne johnso calls the local sheriff's offic 35 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,973 To report her 34-year-old daughter, 36 00:02:21,041 --> 00:02:24,243 Joleen cummings, missing. 37 00:02:25,646 --> 00:02:27,513 [charity] we originally got a call from anne johnson, 38 00:02:27,581 --> 00:02:31,583 And she said, the last time somebody spoke to joleen 39 00:02:31,585 --> 00:02:33,318 Was may 12th. 40 00:02:33,320 --> 00:02:38,657 And a couple of days later, no one had still heard from her. 41 00:02:38,659 --> 00:02:42,562 [narrator] anne says she began to worry on Sunday, may 13th, 42 00:02:42,629 --> 00:02:44,930 When jolene failed to pick up her two sons 43 00:02:44,932 --> 00:02:48,600 After their week-long visit with their father. 44 00:02:48,669 --> 00:02:51,671 The kids' father contacted her mother, anne johnson, 45 00:02:51,738 --> 00:02:53,472 And said, do you know where joleen's at? 46 00:02:53,474 --> 00:02:55,273 She's supposed to pick the kids up. 47 00:02:55,342 --> 00:02:58,410 And he didn't know where she was. 48 00:02:58,478 --> 00:03:00,879 [narrator] what's more, the Sunday of may 13th 49 00:03:00,948 --> 00:03:05,617 Was a very special day for joleen and her kids. 50 00:03:05,686 --> 00:03:09,254 [charity] her mother told me it was joleen's birthday, 51 00:03:09,323 --> 00:03:13,625 And also, this is mother's day. 52 00:03:13,694 --> 00:03:15,994 Joleen's mother reported that she had not been able 53 00:03:16,063 --> 00:03:18,498 To reach her by phone. 54 00:03:18,565 --> 00:03:20,498 [bill] it was a big concern that she couldn't be found 55 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:23,435 Because she does have kids. She loves her kids. 56 00:03:23,504 --> 00:03:27,173 So certainly, you wanna try to find 'em as soon as possible. 57 00:03:27,241 --> 00:03:29,975 I just felt like somethin' bad had happened 58 00:03:30,043 --> 00:03:32,578 And that she wouldn't be back. 59 00:03:38,185 --> 00:03:43,321 [narrator] born on may 13, 1984, joleen jenson was a small-town 60 00:03:43,390 --> 00:03:46,992 Girl who loved her family fiercely. 61 00:03:46,994 --> 00:03:50,328 It was just joleen and her mom, and her stepdad. 62 00:03:50,397 --> 00:03:52,731 They had a good relationship. 63 00:03:52,733 --> 00:03:56,067 They were always together, having family dinners. 64 00:03:56,136 --> 00:04:00,605 [narrator] joyful and energetic, joleen drew people in. 65 00:04:00,674 --> 00:04:02,807 [alma] joleen had a large circle of friends. 66 00:04:02,876 --> 00:04:04,843 Everybody loved joleen. 67 00:04:07,414 --> 00:04:09,014 [narrator] after graduating high school, 68 00:04:09,082 --> 00:04:11,683 Joleen left for cosmetology school, 69 00:04:11,685 --> 00:04:15,487 But she know she would never be gone for long. 70 00:04:15,556 --> 00:04:17,089 [alma] joleen was very much a small-town girl. 71 00:04:17,157 --> 00:04:19,492 She wanted to own a salon, 72 00:04:19,559 --> 00:04:22,761 So the small town is the best for that. 73 00:04:25,165 --> 00:04:26,699 [narrator] after a few years away 74 00:04:26,767 --> 00:04:30,102 And a failed relationship that left her a single mother, 75 00:04:30,170 --> 00:04:33,772 Joleen moved back to her hometown. 76 00:04:33,841 --> 00:04:35,574 Joleen was very excited to be a mom. 77 00:04:35,576 --> 00:04:37,842 She didn't always pick the best guys. 78 00:04:37,911 --> 00:04:38,978 I don't know why. 79 00:04:39,046 --> 00:04:41,379 She could always do so much better. 80 00:04:41,448 --> 00:04:44,916 She worked at tangles hair salon in fernandina beach. 81 00:04:44,985 --> 00:04:47,119 [crystal] the salon we worked at was a very 82 00:04:47,187 --> 00:04:49,788 Family-friendly place. 83 00:04:49,857 --> 00:04:51,990 We had fun there. 84 00:04:51,992 --> 00:04:55,460 Everybody got along. You know, had lunches together. 85 00:04:55,462 --> 00:04:59,131 She was the light of the salon. 86 00:04:59,199 --> 00:05:03,669 [narrator] joleen used this time to build toward her dreams. 87 00:05:03,737 --> 00:05:08,674 She advertised herself a lot on social media, 88 00:05:08,742 --> 00:05:11,943 And she built a very good clientele. 89 00:05:12,012 --> 00:05:15,548 I never knew a day that she wasn't booked. 90 00:05:17,551 --> 00:05:20,151 [narrator] joleen's career was taking off, 91 00:05:20,153 --> 00:05:22,220 And when she met jason cummings 92 00:05:22,289 --> 00:05:25,957 Her personal life quickly followed suit. 93 00:05:26,026 --> 00:05:30,495 After the birth of their first son in 2013, they married 94 00:05:30,564 --> 00:05:34,666 And joleen gave birth to another boy in 2015. 95 00:05:35,769 --> 00:05:38,369 [mariah] she was so obsessed with those babies 96 00:05:38,439 --> 00:05:42,474 That nothing else mattered. Those kids came first. 97 00:05:44,711 --> 00:05:48,180 [narrator] although joleen was overjoyed to grow her family, 98 00:05:48,248 --> 00:05:51,883 Her marriage to jason soon began to fray. 99 00:05:53,387 --> 00:05:56,187 They didn't have a very good relationship in the end. 100 00:05:56,189 --> 00:05:59,057 But she, she kept trying. She loved him. 101 00:05:59,126 --> 00:06:03,596 And she always put her men and her kids before anything. 102 00:06:03,663 --> 00:06:07,665 [narrator] the two separated in 2017. 103 00:06:07,734 --> 00:06:11,002 [crystal] she wasn't real talkative about jason. 104 00:06:11,004 --> 00:06:13,738 She was focused on her kids. 105 00:06:13,807 --> 00:06:15,473 They would go visit their father, 106 00:06:15,542 --> 00:06:18,544 But her kids always lived with joleen. 107 00:06:21,281 --> 00:06:22,682 [narrator] soon after the separation, 108 00:06:22,749 --> 00:06:25,016 She began dating someone new. 109 00:06:25,018 --> 00:06:27,686 But after her past failed relationships, 110 00:06:27,688 --> 00:06:32,090 Joleen wanted to keep this one to herself. 111 00:06:32,092 --> 00:06:35,628 [mariah] with men, she was a very private girl. 112 00:06:35,695 --> 00:06:38,129 I knew she was dating a new guy. 113 00:06:38,131 --> 00:06:42,168 And at times when I would see her, she was very excited. 114 00:06:42,235 --> 00:06:45,237 It was new. It was butterflies. 115 00:06:45,305 --> 00:06:47,439 [narrator] joleen was enjoying motherhood, 116 00:06:47,507 --> 00:06:50,842 A flourishing career, and a growing romance. 117 00:06:50,911 --> 00:06:53,111 It seemed all of the pieces of her life 118 00:06:53,180 --> 00:06:56,481 Were falling into place. 119 00:06:59,052 --> 00:07:02,387 Until may 14, 2018, 120 00:07:02,455 --> 00:07:07,258 When the reliable mother is nowhere to be found. 121 00:07:07,327 --> 00:07:08,726 Everyone was just panicking. 122 00:07:08,795 --> 00:07:11,863 We didn't know what could've happened. 123 00:07:11,932 --> 00:07:15,534 We still held on to the hope that she was okay somewhere. 124 00:07:15,602 --> 00:07:18,837 But it was like deep down we knew better. 125 00:07:21,008 --> 00:07:23,141 [narrator] local authorities start their search 126 00:07:23,210 --> 00:07:27,412 By contacting the first person to notice joleen's absence, 127 00:07:27,480 --> 00:07:31,483 Her estranged husband, jason cummings. 128 00:07:31,551 --> 00:07:33,819 Joleen was going through a divorce with her husband, 129 00:07:33,887 --> 00:07:35,287 Jason cummings. 130 00:07:35,355 --> 00:07:38,423 And the final custody had not been determined. 131 00:07:38,425 --> 00:07:40,358 A custody dispute can be a huge motivator to 132 00:07:40,427 --> 00:07:42,493 Possibly to do violence. 133 00:07:42,563 --> 00:07:44,930 I wanted to meet with him in person. 134 00:07:47,701 --> 00:07:49,768 [narrator] jason agrees to come to the sheriff's office 135 00:07:49,770 --> 00:07:51,971 The next day for an interview. 136 00:07:52,038 --> 00:07:54,372 And investigators continue to call more 137 00:07:54,441 --> 00:07:57,642 Of joleen's family and friends. 138 00:07:57,711 --> 00:08:00,111 [wayne] through contacting people who know her 139 00:08:00,180 --> 00:08:01,379 And doing interviews with them, 140 00:08:01,381 --> 00:08:04,315 The last place that we could determine that joleen was seen 141 00:08:04,384 --> 00:08:05,917 Was at her place of employment, 142 00:08:05,986 --> 00:08:09,587 At tangles hair salon, on the 12th of may. 143 00:08:09,656 --> 00:08:12,056 We talked to the salon owner. 144 00:08:12,125 --> 00:08:14,993 We got the names of the people who were working that day. 145 00:08:14,995 --> 00:08:17,262 She, uh, had joleen cummings, who had been with her 146 00:08:17,264 --> 00:08:20,132 For several years. 147 00:08:20,200 --> 00:08:23,602 Ann morgan, who had been there for approximately 10 years. 148 00:08:23,670 --> 00:08:26,671 And she had a newer employee who had only been there 149 00:08:26,740 --> 00:08:29,908 For a couple of months, and her name was jennifer sybert. 150 00:08:31,144 --> 00:08:33,678 [narrator] the salon owner says joleen and jennifer 151 00:08:33,747 --> 00:08:38,950 Closed the salon on Saturday, may 12th, around 5:00 pm. 152 00:08:39,019 --> 00:08:42,620 Well, we knew the type of vehicle that joleen drove. 153 00:08:42,689 --> 00:08:45,156 It was not anywhere near the salon. 154 00:08:45,158 --> 00:08:49,827 And the salon had a camera, but it was not working. 155 00:08:49,896 --> 00:08:52,830 [wayne] we did attempt to ping her cell phone, 156 00:08:52,899 --> 00:08:55,367 And the cell phone was either not working 157 00:08:55,435 --> 00:08:57,702 Or it had been turned off. 158 00:08:57,771 --> 00:08:59,505 We checked her bank records. 159 00:08:59,573 --> 00:09:01,239 We checked social media accounts. 160 00:09:01,308 --> 00:09:04,108 None of those had had any, uh, activity since the last day 161 00:09:04,177 --> 00:09:06,844 That she had worked, which was on may 12th. 162 00:09:07,581 --> 00:09:09,915 We know that after that, nobody had seen her, 163 00:09:09,983 --> 00:09:13,184 So the focus of our timeline was basically between 164 00:09:13,186 --> 00:09:15,587 The 12th and the 14th. 165 00:09:18,525 --> 00:09:20,458 [narrator] investigators immediately release 166 00:09:20,527 --> 00:09:23,127 A description of joleen and her vehicle 167 00:09:23,196 --> 00:09:24,662 To the local news, 168 00:09:24,731 --> 00:09:27,932 And reach out to her co-worker, jennifer. 169 00:09:28,001 --> 00:09:31,069 We asked if joleen had mentioned anything about going anywhere. 170 00:09:31,137 --> 00:09:35,274 Jennifer went into a long explanation about why 171 00:09:35,342 --> 00:09:39,744 She could not be involved in a law enforcement investigation. 172 00:09:39,746 --> 00:09:42,013 She stated that she had an ex-boyfriend who was 173 00:09:42,015 --> 00:09:45,016 A computer expert, and that he was a stalker, 174 00:09:45,085 --> 00:09:46,484 And if her name was listed anywhere, 175 00:09:46,553 --> 00:09:48,419 He would track her down. 176 00:09:48,421 --> 00:09:49,955 I said, I just need to know, 177 00:09:50,023 --> 00:09:52,890 Did you work with joleen on Saturday, 178 00:09:52,959 --> 00:09:55,694 And if she discussed any upcoming plans? 179 00:09:55,762 --> 00:09:59,031 Jennifer stated that her and jolene were not close, 180 00:09:59,099 --> 00:10:03,435 That joleen was acting normally, and that, uh, she didn't mention 181 00:10:03,503 --> 00:10:05,937 Any upcoming plans for the weekend. 182 00:10:08,174 --> 00:10:10,776 [narrator] with concern for joleen mounting, 183 00:10:10,844 --> 00:10:14,413 Detectives dig deeper into her history. 184 00:10:14,481 --> 00:10:15,780 [wayne] if somebody's reported missing, 185 00:10:15,782 --> 00:10:18,416 We're gonna look for recent police reports. 186 00:10:18,485 --> 00:10:22,487 I had discovered a previous police report on the 9th of may. 187 00:10:22,555 --> 00:10:25,790 There had been a domestic situation. 188 00:10:25,792 --> 00:10:29,194 Jason gee had come over and asked to spend the night. 189 00:10:29,262 --> 00:10:32,964 When she told him he could not spend the night, he got upset. 190 00:10:37,137 --> 00:10:39,071 [narrator] detectives then arrange to meet joleen's 191 00:10:39,139 --> 00:10:42,675 Stepfather at her home to conduct a wellness check, 192 00:10:42,742 --> 00:10:46,679 And what they find is concerning. 193 00:10:46,746 --> 00:10:50,081 [mark] that afternoon, on Monday the 14th, 194 00:10:50,083 --> 00:10:53,751 We noticed that the residence was secured, 195 00:10:53,820 --> 00:10:57,890 But once entering in, the house looked 196 00:10:57,957 --> 00:11:01,159 A little bit in disarray. 197 00:11:01,161 --> 00:11:03,762 There were some cabinet doors that were loose, 198 00:11:03,830 --> 00:11:06,432 Some holes in the walls. 199 00:11:06,499 --> 00:11:10,001 We actually reached out to an officer who had responded there, 200 00:11:10,070 --> 00:11:13,572 And he advised that, that was typical for that house. 201 00:11:16,476 --> 00:11:17,775 [narrator] coming up, 202 00:11:17,844 --> 00:11:21,779 Detectives suspect that joleen' disappearance could be connecte 203 00:11:21,848 --> 00:11:25,117 To her complicated love life. 204 00:11:25,185 --> 00:11:27,786 We did discover that sometimes joleen may not have 205 00:11:27,854 --> 00:11:31,790 Made the best decisions with the guys that she chose to date. 206 00:11:31,858 --> 00:11:33,524 [bill] we'd call him. He'd hang up. 207 00:11:33,593 --> 00:11:35,193 We go to his house. He's not there. 208 00:11:35,195 --> 00:11:37,695 It seemed like he's trying to avoid us. 209 00:11:39,132 --> 00:11:42,600 [music] 210 00:11:53,279 --> 00:11:56,280 [narrator] may 15, 2018. 211 00:11:56,349 --> 00:11:59,418 It's been three days since 34-year-old mother 212 00:11:59,486 --> 00:12:03,488 Joleen cummings was last seen. 213 00:12:03,556 --> 00:12:05,890 [mariah] no one knew what had happened, 214 00:12:05,892 --> 00:12:09,161 But we had a feeling something bad had happened. 215 00:12:10,163 --> 00:12:12,563 [narrator] after finding her house in disarray, 216 00:12:12,632 --> 00:12:16,502 Investigators start looking into the men in joleen's life, 217 00:12:16,569 --> 00:12:21,639 Beginning with her estranged husband, jason cummings. 218 00:12:21,641 --> 00:12:24,243 [wayne] joleen was going through a divorce with her husband. 219 00:12:24,310 --> 00:12:26,444 If somebody's reported missing, and they're going through 220 00:12:26,513 --> 00:12:29,113 A separation or a divorce, 221 00:12:29,182 --> 00:12:31,450 You know, the person involved with that's gonna be 222 00:12:31,518 --> 00:12:34,920 One of the first people we look at. 223 00:12:37,857 --> 00:12:40,324 [narrator] three days after joleen's disappearance, 224 00:12:40,393 --> 00:12:44,829 Jason sits down with detectives for an interview. 225 00:12:44,831 --> 00:12:47,865 He admits that he and joleen had arguments, 226 00:12:47,934 --> 00:12:50,803 But denies any physical altercations. 227 00:13:03,917 --> 00:13:07,552 He gave a alibi of being with some friends 228 00:13:07,620 --> 00:13:10,188 At a specific location all weekend. 229 00:13:10,256 --> 00:13:12,690 I asked him for permission to search 230 00:13:12,759 --> 00:13:15,094 And download his cellular phone. 231 00:13:15,161 --> 00:13:17,695 I didn't find anything of evidentiary value 232 00:13:17,697 --> 00:13:20,264 On the cell phone. 233 00:13:20,333 --> 00:13:23,701 He also gave written consent for a search of his vehicle. 234 00:13:23,703 --> 00:13:26,637 We actually had a crime scene unit go out and examine it 235 00:13:26,706 --> 00:13:28,574 And take photos of it. 236 00:13:28,641 --> 00:13:33,445 But we saw nothing inside the vehicle of a suspicious nature. 237 00:13:36,449 --> 00:13:38,516 [narrator] before the interview is over, 238 00:13:38,518 --> 00:13:40,251 Jason cummings has a question 239 00:13:40,320 --> 00:13:43,154 About the other man in joleen's life. 240 00:14:12,619 --> 00:14:16,087 [narrator] detectives find jason cummings has never been charged 241 00:14:16,156 --> 00:14:19,391 Nor convicted of any crimes against joleen, 242 00:14:19,459 --> 00:14:23,761 So they release him while they work to confirm his alibi. 243 00:14:23,763 --> 00:14:26,030 At that point in time, we began to look 244 00:14:26,099 --> 00:14:28,166 For joleen's boyfriend, jason gee, 245 00:14:28,168 --> 00:14:30,034 Whose name and information I had discovered 246 00:14:30,103 --> 00:14:32,136 In a domestic incident. 247 00:14:32,205 --> 00:14:34,171 There was no physical violence documented, 248 00:14:34,240 --> 00:14:36,542 But it was documented that he had gotten angry 249 00:14:36,609 --> 00:14:38,743 And damaged the cabinets in the home. 250 00:14:39,979 --> 00:14:42,313 [bill] when we try to contact jason gee, we'd call him. 251 00:14:42,315 --> 00:14:44,383 He'd hang up. We go to his house. 252 00:14:44,450 --> 00:14:45,783 He's not there. 253 00:14:45,785 --> 00:14:48,586 It seemed like he's trying to avoid us. 254 00:14:48,655 --> 00:14:51,389 [wayne] he had a active warrant for violation of probation. 255 00:14:51,391 --> 00:14:53,458 And we knew that he was dodging that, 256 00:14:53,526 --> 00:14:56,460 But still the more he dodged us, 257 00:14:56,529 --> 00:14:59,898 He certainly was becoming more of a suspect. 258 00:15:03,336 --> 00:15:05,803 [narrator] investigators concentrate more resources 259 00:15:05,805 --> 00:15:08,939 On locating jason. 260 00:15:09,009 --> 00:15:10,741 [wayne] we were also looking at his background, 261 00:15:10,810 --> 00:15:13,177 And any relatives, any friends, 262 00:15:13,246 --> 00:15:16,014 Any locations that he frequented. 263 00:15:16,082 --> 00:15:18,749 Jason gee was eventually found in hilliard, florida. 264 00:15:18,818 --> 00:15:21,752 He had a relative that lived there. 265 00:15:21,821 --> 00:15:23,955 Law enforcement went to the relative's house. 266 00:15:24,023 --> 00:15:27,092 He was hiding under some boxes in the bedroom. 267 00:15:29,095 --> 00:15:30,963 [narrator] authorities arrest jason gee 268 00:15:31,030 --> 00:15:32,763 On an outstanding warrant 269 00:15:32,832 --> 00:15:35,833 And bring him in for an interview. 270 00:15:35,835 --> 00:15:37,969 Jason gee had some criminal history 271 00:15:38,037 --> 00:15:40,439 And some brushes with the law. 272 00:16:32,825 --> 00:16:35,893 [narrator] detectives press jason gee for his whereabouts 273 00:16:35,895 --> 00:16:38,396 On the day joleen went missing. 274 00:17:00,320 --> 00:17:02,420 [narrator] for detectives, this information 275 00:17:02,488 --> 00:17:04,455 Raises a red flag. 276 00:17:04,524 --> 00:17:07,258 It's the same day joleen was last seen , 277 00:17:07,326 --> 00:17:10,929 And only an hour before the salon closed. 278 00:17:22,608 --> 00:17:24,276 [narrator] the whereabouts of jason's phon 279 00:17:24,343 --> 00:17:27,346 Fuels only more suspicion. 280 00:17:54,941 --> 00:17:56,907 [wayne] he's knowing he's gonna sit in jail for a little while. 281 00:17:56,976 --> 00:17:58,776 He's obviously angry with law enforcement. 282 00:17:58,845 --> 00:18:02,513 But when it come to joleen, you know, his demeanor did change. 283 00:18:02,515 --> 00:18:05,117 He seemed legitimately concerned that she was missing. 284 00:18:07,854 --> 00:18:11,256 [narrator] investigators need to confirm jason's alibi, 285 00:18:11,324 --> 00:18:15,527 But first, they head to the last place joleen was spotted, 286 00:18:15,595 --> 00:18:17,662 The salon. 287 00:18:17,730 --> 00:18:18,863 [bill] we had no other indication 288 00:18:18,931 --> 00:18:19,997 She was anywhere else. 289 00:18:19,999 --> 00:18:21,999 Nobody had seen her after work, 290 00:18:22,001 --> 00:18:24,335 And no one had seen her leave work. 291 00:18:24,404 --> 00:18:27,872 We didn't know what time, or if, 292 00:18:27,874 --> 00:18:31,410 Joleen cummings actually walked out of the hair salon. 293 00:18:33,213 --> 00:18:34,746 [narrator] coming up, 294 00:18:34,814 --> 00:18:39,683 A potential witness refuses to cooperate with police. 295 00:18:39,752 --> 00:18:41,219 [bill] she calls her owner. 296 00:18:41,221 --> 00:18:43,487 She said, hey, I'm quitting. You can mail my check 297 00:18:43,556 --> 00:18:46,323 I can't be involved in any police activity. 298 00:18:46,392 --> 00:18:49,426 [narrator] and new evidence sends investigators on a hunt 299 00:18:49,495 --> 00:18:52,696 For a mysterious suspect. 300 00:18:52,765 --> 00:18:54,298 Once the vehicle was parked, 301 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:55,567 A minute or so later, 302 00:18:55,635 --> 00:18:58,670 You could see someone exit the driver's side. 303 00:18:59,906 --> 00:19:02,740 [music] 304 00:19:12,985 --> 00:19:18,523 [narrator] may 15, 2018, 34-year-old mother of three 305 00:19:18,591 --> 00:19:23,994 Joleen cummings has been missin for more than 48 hours. 306 00:19:24,063 --> 00:19:27,499 Up until now, the investigation has centered on joleen's 307 00:19:27,567 --> 00:19:32,903 Former spouse, jason cummings, and her boyfriend, jason gee. 308 00:19:32,972 --> 00:19:36,473 Both men say they were visiting friends and family the weekend 309 00:19:36,542 --> 00:19:40,145 Of joleen's disappearance. 310 00:19:40,213 --> 00:19:43,414 [bill] jason cummings gave us all of his phones, 311 00:19:43,482 --> 00:19:45,816 And we could check and see where he was at. 312 00:19:45,818 --> 00:19:48,486 And, uh, so we could eliminate him as being 313 00:19:48,488 --> 00:19:51,622 Any person of interest or even a suspect. 314 00:19:51,691 --> 00:19:53,857 [narrator] despite having a criminal record, 315 00:19:53,927 --> 00:19:58,430 Detectives are also able to clear jason gee. 316 00:19:58,497 --> 00:20:01,366 [wayne] jason gee gave an alibi that he was at some 317 00:20:01,434 --> 00:20:03,701 Friend's house in jacksonville. 318 00:20:03,703 --> 00:20:06,503 We sent detectives to talk to the friends in jacksonville 319 00:20:06,572 --> 00:20:09,440 Who confirmed that he was there. 320 00:20:09,508 --> 00:20:11,375 Jason gee's father confirmed that he was 321 00:20:11,444 --> 00:20:13,578 The one who transported him. 322 00:20:15,715 --> 00:20:17,715 [narrator] with their leads dwindling, 323 00:20:17,783 --> 00:20:20,651 Authorities decide to circle back to the location 324 00:20:20,653 --> 00:20:25,456 Where joleen was last seen, the salon. 325 00:20:25,524 --> 00:20:27,858 [charity] one of our detectives went to the hair salon, 326 00:20:27,860 --> 00:20:31,328 And while he's in there speaking to the owner of the hair salon, 327 00:20:31,397 --> 00:20:35,199 Jennifer sybert comes to the shop. 328 00:20:36,135 --> 00:20:37,868 Only jennifer sybert and joleen cummings 329 00:20:37,937 --> 00:20:40,071 Were working that day. 330 00:20:40,139 --> 00:20:44,008 So jennifer was the last person that we know who'd seen her. 331 00:20:44,878 --> 00:20:47,544 The owner of the shop actually told jennifer, 332 00:20:47,613 --> 00:20:51,081 Hey, there's a detective in here that wants to speak to you. 333 00:20:51,150 --> 00:20:54,685 [narrator] however, jennifer makes it clear once again 334 00:20:54,687 --> 00:20:57,755 That she doesn't want to get involved. 335 00:20:57,757 --> 00:20:59,691 She decided she didn't want to have any part 336 00:20:59,759 --> 00:21:01,225 Of the police. 337 00:21:01,227 --> 00:21:04,962 As she leaves, she said, hey, I'm quitting. 338 00:21:04,964 --> 00:21:06,597 You can mail my check. 339 00:21:06,599 --> 00:21:09,099 I can't be involved in any police activity, 340 00:21:09,101 --> 00:21:11,435 Which is a concern. 341 00:21:11,504 --> 00:21:12,837 [wayne] I thought it was very unusual, 342 00:21:12,839 --> 00:21:16,707 But there are certainly people who don't like law enforcement, 343 00:21:16,709 --> 00:21:19,510 And don't want contact with law enforcement. 344 00:21:21,881 --> 00:21:24,114 [narrator] as detectives prepare to look deeper 345 00:21:24,116 --> 00:21:26,117 Into jennifer's background, 346 00:21:26,185 --> 00:21:29,821 They receive their biggest tip yet. 347 00:21:29,889 --> 00:21:33,123 [bill] well, after we put the flyer out for joleen's vehicle, 348 00:21:33,125 --> 00:21:36,594 We did receive a call from an individual who thought he seen 349 00:21:36,596 --> 00:21:40,397 That vehicle in a home depot parking lot. 350 00:21:40,466 --> 00:21:43,668 When we responded, we verified that it was joleen's car. 351 00:21:45,538 --> 00:21:47,004 [wayne] when we searched the vehicle, we did not see 352 00:21:47,073 --> 00:21:51,476 Any kind of blood or anything of evidentiary value. 353 00:21:51,544 --> 00:21:53,210 Once we found her vehicle, 354 00:21:53,279 --> 00:21:56,880 It gave us a place to start and to work backwards from there. 355 00:21:56,949 --> 00:22:01,419 So what we did was we looked for surveillance video. 356 00:22:01,487 --> 00:22:03,687 [narrator] when investigators pull video surveillance 357 00:22:03,689 --> 00:22:08,492 From a nearby bank, they make a startling discovery 358 00:22:08,494 --> 00:22:11,896 Early in the morning, the 13th, at about 1:17, 359 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:15,165 You could see the vehicle being driven into the home depot 360 00:22:15,234 --> 00:22:16,967 Parking lot. 361 00:22:17,036 --> 00:22:18,803 A minute or so later, you could see someone 362 00:22:18,871 --> 00:22:21,906 Exit the driver's side. 363 00:22:24,777 --> 00:22:26,911 [narrator] the grainy footage makes it impossible 364 00:22:26,979 --> 00:22:28,847 To identify the driver, 365 00:22:28,914 --> 00:22:31,349 But investigators can see the figure walk 366 00:22:31,418 --> 00:22:34,319 To a nearby gas station. 367 00:22:34,387 --> 00:22:37,054 [mark] one of the videos was from a gate gas station. 368 00:22:37,056 --> 00:22:41,125 It was a very clear video showing a female wearing 369 00:22:41,193 --> 00:22:43,861 All black enter into the store. 370 00:22:43,929 --> 00:22:46,196 [wayne] once she enters into the gas station, 371 00:22:46,265 --> 00:22:47,664 And walks up near the counter, 372 00:22:47,733 --> 00:22:49,867 The surveillance is even clearer. 373 00:22:49,869 --> 00:22:52,536 And, you know, judging off the driver's license picture I have, 374 00:22:52,605 --> 00:22:54,939 I'm like, that's jennifer sybert. 375 00:22:59,479 --> 00:23:01,278 [narrator] with this new revelation 376 00:23:01,347 --> 00:23:03,214 On Wednesday, may 16th, 377 00:23:03,282 --> 00:23:08,319 Investigators return to joleen' place of work for a closer look 378 00:23:09,622 --> 00:23:13,023 [mark] the salon had been closed since joleen cumming's 379 00:23:13,092 --> 00:23:16,226 Disappearance due to the fact that the salon's normally 380 00:23:16,295 --> 00:23:18,562 Closed Sunday and Monday. 381 00:23:18,564 --> 00:23:21,231 On Tuesday, when the owner showed up 382 00:23:21,233 --> 00:23:26,036 To open up the business, she had no employees there to cut hair. 383 00:23:26,105 --> 00:23:28,305 The salon being closed was pretty important in that 384 00:23:28,307 --> 00:23:32,777 Nobody had cleaned anything. Nothing had been disturbed. 385 00:23:32,845 --> 00:23:35,512 [narrator] when the crime scene unit applies luminol, 386 00:23:35,581 --> 00:23:37,781 A chemical that reacts with blood, 387 00:23:37,850 --> 00:23:40,484 Hidden horrors are revealed. 388 00:23:42,054 --> 00:23:45,656 It just lit up. And you say, holy crap. 389 00:23:45,724 --> 00:23:48,493 You know, something really serious happened in here. 390 00:23:51,764 --> 00:23:54,331 [wayne] that was really the moment when I said, 391 00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:57,034 I'm working a homicide investigation. 392 00:23:58,204 --> 00:24:00,304 And our number one priority at that point in time is 393 00:24:00,306 --> 00:24:03,341 To find jennifer sybert. 394 00:24:06,946 --> 00:24:09,479 [narrator] detectives send samples of the blood evidence 395 00:24:09,549 --> 00:24:11,750 For dna testing. 396 00:24:11,817 --> 00:24:14,419 While they wait for results, they release a bolo 397 00:24:14,487 --> 00:24:17,822 For jennifer's vehicle and ping her phone. 398 00:24:17,890 --> 00:24:20,624 Location data places her somewhere in neighboring 399 00:24:20,626 --> 00:24:22,826 St. Johns county. 400 00:24:22,895 --> 00:24:25,029 [wayne] st. Johns county, which is a couple of counties 401 00:24:25,031 --> 00:24:26,564 South of nassau. 402 00:24:26,632 --> 00:24:29,967 She had given a false address to her employer. 403 00:24:29,969 --> 00:24:33,704 Instructions were given to check any area where somebody needed 404 00:24:33,772 --> 00:24:36,441 To stay or sleep in their car. 405 00:24:36,509 --> 00:24:37,642 [charity] we were informed, 406 00:24:37,710 --> 00:24:39,511 Hey, she's a transient sometimes. 407 00:24:39,578 --> 00:24:41,345 She's living out of her vehicle. 408 00:24:41,413 --> 00:24:43,782 So I went to a rest area. 409 00:24:43,849 --> 00:24:46,050 I was not expecting to find her vehicle. 410 00:24:46,118 --> 00:24:49,853 But when I looked to my left and saw her black kia 411 00:24:49,855 --> 00:24:52,890 Between two semis, I knew it was her. 412 00:24:57,063 --> 00:24:59,997 I made a phone call to another detective. 413 00:25:00,065 --> 00:25:03,001 I told him, hey, her vehicle's here. 414 00:25:03,068 --> 00:25:05,804 [wayne] several, uh, detectives quickly responded 415 00:25:05,871 --> 00:25:09,273 To st. Johns county, including myself. 416 00:25:09,341 --> 00:25:11,275 We approached and it appeared that there was someone 417 00:25:11,343 --> 00:25:13,277 Sleeping in the vehicle. 418 00:25:13,345 --> 00:25:14,611 At that point in time, 419 00:25:14,680 --> 00:25:16,881 I gave the person verbal commands to 420 00:25:16,949 --> 00:25:21,019 Step out of the vehicle with their hands visible. 421 00:25:21,086 --> 00:25:24,655 Jennifer sybert exited the front door of the vehicle. 422 00:25:27,226 --> 00:25:30,361 She had a nasty cut on her face. 423 00:25:30,429 --> 00:25:35,033 Her story was she was riding her bicycle and she ran into a tree. 424 00:25:35,100 --> 00:25:37,701 But that's not, not what she would have looked like 425 00:25:37,770 --> 00:25:39,304 If she'd hit a tree. 426 00:25:39,371 --> 00:25:41,772 Looks like she'd been in a fight. 427 00:25:41,840 --> 00:25:44,375 We asked her, have you ever been in joleen's vehicle? 428 00:25:44,443 --> 00:25:47,244 She said, no, never have. 429 00:25:47,313 --> 00:25:50,180 [wayne] at that point and time, I knew she was lying. 430 00:25:50,182 --> 00:25:54,051 I then confronted her and said, I don't believe you. 431 00:25:54,053 --> 00:25:55,186 At that time she said, 432 00:25:55,254 --> 00:25:57,854 Well, if you don't believe me, maybe I need an attorney. 433 00:25:57,923 --> 00:26:00,658 [narrator] investigators place jennifer under arrest 434 00:26:00,726 --> 00:26:04,562 And transport her to the st. Johns county jail. 435 00:26:06,065 --> 00:26:09,399 We originally charged jennifer sybert with 436 00:26:09,401 --> 00:26:12,770 Grand theft of joleen's vehicle. 437 00:26:12,838 --> 00:26:14,938 We need to continue gathering evidence, 438 00:26:14,940 --> 00:26:17,075 Looking for, for any clues, 439 00:26:17,142 --> 00:26:20,711 Certainly looking to see if we can find joleen somewhere. 440 00:26:20,713 --> 00:26:22,613 [narrator] they start by canvassing the area 441 00:26:22,681 --> 00:26:26,117 Around the salon for more surveillance footage. 442 00:26:26,185 --> 00:26:29,486 [wayne] we did discover a camera for the alleyway behind tangles 443 00:26:29,555 --> 00:26:32,656 Where the dumpsters are located. 444 00:26:36,095 --> 00:26:39,697 In that video, you can see jennifer sybert exiting 445 00:26:39,699 --> 00:26:44,101 The rear of the business with large garbage bags 446 00:26:44,169 --> 00:26:47,171 And throwing them into the dumpster behind the business 447 00:26:47,173 --> 00:26:49,840 For several hours after tangles was closed 448 00:26:49,842 --> 00:26:53,177 On the 12th of may. 449 00:26:53,179 --> 00:26:56,314 [narrator] footage further shows a truck emptying the dumpster 450 00:26:56,382 --> 00:26:58,115 On may 14th, 451 00:26:58,117 --> 00:27:02,719 Just two hours after joleen was reported missing. 452 00:27:02,788 --> 00:27:04,922 We contacted the, the company that services 453 00:27:04,924 --> 00:27:07,057 The dumpsters, and they were able to give us 454 00:27:07,126 --> 00:27:11,195 A general area of where that particular truck dumped. 455 00:27:11,197 --> 00:27:12,796 We asked them to isolate the area, 456 00:27:12,798 --> 00:27:14,898 So that we could later search it. 457 00:27:16,201 --> 00:27:18,268 [narrator] authorities obtain a search warrant 458 00:27:18,337 --> 00:27:21,138 For jennifer's car. 459 00:27:21,207 --> 00:27:25,208 [bill] we found a bag in there with combs and scissors. 460 00:27:25,277 --> 00:27:26,944 [wayne] the screw that attaches two pieces 461 00:27:26,946 --> 00:27:28,479 Of the scissors together, there was a little bit 462 00:27:28,547 --> 00:27:30,814 Of a darker color substance in there. 463 00:27:30,816 --> 00:27:33,183 It could have been rust. It could have been anything. 464 00:27:33,252 --> 00:27:35,952 It was something that we need to have analyzed. 465 00:27:36,021 --> 00:27:39,823 We did that and it did, uh, come back as positive for, 466 00:27:39,892 --> 00:27:42,059 Not just blood, but joleen's blood. 467 00:27:44,029 --> 00:27:45,762 I did believe at that point 468 00:27:45,831 --> 00:27:48,932 That we had located the murder weapon. 469 00:27:52,571 --> 00:27:55,906 [narrator] detectives also discover a record of purchases 470 00:27:55,974 --> 00:28:00,944 Made by jennifer at walmart around 9:00 pm on may 12th, 471 00:28:00,946 --> 00:28:04,649 The last day joleen was seen alive. 472 00:28:04,717 --> 00:28:05,982 The detective went to the walmart 473 00:28:06,051 --> 00:28:08,051 And obtained video surveillance. 474 00:28:08,120 --> 00:28:10,787 [charity] she bought ammonia, 475 00:28:10,856 --> 00:28:14,624 Large trash bags, gloves, 476 00:28:14,693 --> 00:28:17,127 And a carving knife. 477 00:28:17,196 --> 00:28:19,097 [narrator] detectives re-examine the hours 478 00:28:19,164 --> 00:28:22,265 Of surveillance footage and quickly realize 479 00:28:22,334 --> 00:28:24,936 That after jennifer purchased the items at walmart, 480 00:28:25,003 --> 00:28:28,038 She returned to the salon. 481 00:28:28,040 --> 00:28:30,340 Over an hour later, she emerges 482 00:28:30,342 --> 00:28:34,277 And continues her trips to the dumpster. 483 00:28:34,346 --> 00:28:38,482 [bill] what really floored me was the electric knife. 484 00:28:38,484 --> 00:28:40,350 When I saw that, I'm thinking, 485 00:28:40,352 --> 00:28:41,751 She cut joleen up, 486 00:28:41,821 --> 00:28:44,555 Stuffed her in those black trash bags, 487 00:28:44,623 --> 00:28:47,324 And threw her away like garbage. 488 00:28:50,963 --> 00:28:52,863 [narrator] coming up, 489 00:28:52,931 --> 00:28:57,668 A shocking confession with a twist no one sees coming. 490 00:29:03,442 --> 00:29:07,310 At the time, I had no idea if this was true or not true. 491 00:29:07,379 --> 00:29:10,113 [charity] all of a sudden, there's this information 492 00:29:10,182 --> 00:29:12,783 With a little girl named jennifer sybert, 493 00:29:12,851 --> 00:29:16,787 Same date of birth, who died in a car accident 494 00:29:16,855 --> 00:29:20,891 In germany at 13 years old. It just gave us chills. 495 00:29:22,261 --> 00:29:25,429 [music] 496 00:29:35,074 --> 00:29:39,510 [narrator] joleen cummings is missing and presumed dead. 497 00:29:39,578 --> 00:29:42,946 Her coworker, jennifer sybert, is in custody after 498 00:29:43,015 --> 00:29:47,684 Surveillance video shows her stealing joleen's vehicle. 499 00:29:47,753 --> 00:29:53,557 But blood evidence now points to a much darker crime. 500 00:29:53,626 --> 00:29:58,428 When the luminol lit up the salon, it was obviously 501 00:29:58,497 --> 00:30:00,163 A lot of blood. 502 00:30:00,232 --> 00:30:04,367 At that point, we knew we had a murder on our hands. 503 00:30:04,436 --> 00:30:07,037 [wayne] the amounts of blood that were found on the walls 504 00:30:07,105 --> 00:30:09,706 And the floor, there were samples of those collected. 505 00:30:09,775 --> 00:30:12,175 They were sent, 506 00:30:12,244 --> 00:30:15,212 And they did come back as joleen's dna. 507 00:30:19,918 --> 00:30:21,385 The evidence was mounting, 508 00:30:21,387 --> 00:30:24,254 And we knew that this crime occurred inside tangles. 509 00:30:24,323 --> 00:30:26,524 [bill] whenever you have a murder and you can't locate 510 00:30:26,592 --> 00:30:29,326 The body, it's a difficult case. 511 00:30:29,395 --> 00:30:32,329 You have to have overwhelming evidence. 512 00:30:32,397 --> 00:30:35,065 [narrator] investigators search the landfill where they believe 513 00:30:35,134 --> 00:30:38,468 Joleen's body may be located. 514 00:30:38,537 --> 00:30:41,871 The area was enormous. It was almost inconceivable 515 00:30:41,941 --> 00:30:44,375 The amount of refuse that we went through. 516 00:30:44,443 --> 00:30:46,076 We analyzed what we could, 517 00:30:46,144 --> 00:30:49,847 But nothing of evidentiary value was found. 518 00:30:52,751 --> 00:30:55,486 [narrator] investigators search for a potential motive 519 00:30:55,554 --> 00:30:57,020 By interviewing the staff 520 00:30:57,089 --> 00:31:00,825 About jennifer and joleen's relationship. 521 00:31:00,893 --> 00:31:03,493 When jennifer sybert first went to work at tangles, 522 00:31:03,562 --> 00:31:07,030 It seemed like her and joleen got along very well. 523 00:31:07,099 --> 00:31:10,701 But as time went on, there was tension and eventually downright 524 00:31:10,769 --> 00:31:13,437 Just dislike between the two. 525 00:31:13,439 --> 00:31:15,238 [mariah] joleen had all the clients. 526 00:31:15,307 --> 00:31:18,709 I don't think she was making the money that joleen was making. 527 00:31:18,777 --> 00:31:22,178 Joleen had talked to me about jennifer 528 00:31:22,247 --> 00:31:25,549 And said that something was really weird with her. 529 00:31:29,187 --> 00:31:32,056 [narrator] another coworker, anh morgan, who has worked 530 00:31:32,124 --> 00:31:36,192 With joleen for nearly six year claims that the day before 531 00:31:36,261 --> 00:31:39,897 Her disappearance, joleen and jennifer argued. 532 00:32:01,587 --> 00:32:05,355 Joleen basically told her, you're not who you say you are, 533 00:32:05,357 --> 00:32:08,091 And I'm gonna find out who you are. 534 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:10,827 [narrator] detectives believe that cryptic confrontation 535 00:32:10,896 --> 00:32:14,431 May have led to joleen's murder 536 00:32:14,433 --> 00:32:17,801 Something triggered, uh, jennifer to do this. 537 00:32:17,870 --> 00:32:20,470 What exactly it was, we don't know. 538 00:32:25,644 --> 00:32:29,112 [narrator] on may 18th, after two days in custody, 539 00:32:29,181 --> 00:32:32,182 Jennifer drops a bombshell. 540 00:32:55,440 --> 00:32:58,409 [charity] we just didn't know what we had at that point. 541 00:32:58,477 --> 00:33:00,278 Who is this lady? 542 00:33:00,345 --> 00:33:03,246 What is she about? Where is she from? 543 00:33:03,248 --> 00:33:06,917 [narrator] kimberly says she grew up in butler, pennsylvania 544 00:33:15,293 --> 00:33:17,093 [narrator] kimberly tells investigators 545 00:33:17,162 --> 00:33:18,628 That she dropped out of school 546 00:33:18,697 --> 00:33:21,698 And left pennsylvania for something new 547 00:33:21,700 --> 00:33:23,934 That proved dangerous. 548 00:33:54,866 --> 00:33:58,135 [narrator] kimberly claims that after the relationship ended, 549 00:33:58,137 --> 00:34:01,038 She changed her name and went on the run. 550 00:34:08,280 --> 00:34:11,382 She stuck by the premise that she was running 551 00:34:11,450 --> 00:34:15,119 From an ex who, uh, she was afraid of. 552 00:34:17,689 --> 00:34:19,956 [narrator] when the conversation shifts to joleen, 553 00:34:20,025 --> 00:34:22,626 Kimberly quickly shuts it down. 554 00:34:43,915 --> 00:34:46,983 [narrator] what's more, investigators find no proof 555 00:34:46,985 --> 00:34:52,790 That anyone is pursuing kimberly, fbi or otherwise. 556 00:34:52,858 --> 00:34:56,392 [wayne] at the time, I had no idea what was true or not true. 557 00:34:56,461 --> 00:35:00,930 So we set to work on finding out who she was. 558 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:04,601 [charity] I typed in the name, jennifer sybert, date of birth. 559 00:35:04,669 --> 00:35:09,205 And all of a sudden, there's this information 560 00:35:09,274 --> 00:35:12,008 With a little girl named jennifer sybert, 561 00:35:12,077 --> 00:35:14,145 Same date of birth, 562 00:35:14,212 --> 00:35:18,681 Who was in a car accident in germany. 563 00:35:18,751 --> 00:35:20,684 She died at 13 years old. 564 00:35:23,221 --> 00:35:25,488 It just gave us chills. 565 00:35:26,157 --> 00:35:28,626 She was buried in butler, pennsylvania, 566 00:35:28,693 --> 00:35:31,861 And we knew that jennifer was from butler, pennsylvania. 567 00:35:31,863 --> 00:35:34,898 [narrator] they suspect she stole the real jennifer sybert' 568 00:35:34,966 --> 00:35:38,101 Identity from her gravestone. 569 00:35:38,169 --> 00:35:40,237 [wayne] a detective contacted the real 570 00:35:40,239 --> 00:35:44,173 Jennifer sybert's father. He was very surprised. 571 00:35:44,243 --> 00:35:48,845 He said that he had no idea how, um, kimberly kessler 572 00:35:48,914 --> 00:35:52,048 Could have obtained his daughter's information. 573 00:35:52,117 --> 00:35:53,983 I've worked identity theft before. 574 00:35:53,985 --> 00:35:56,452 There's sites you can go to online, dark web and such, 575 00:35:56,521 --> 00:35:58,322 And get that kind of thing. 576 00:35:58,390 --> 00:36:00,657 [narrator] pennsylvania authorities tell detectives 577 00:36:00,725 --> 00:36:04,295 That kimberly kessler was reported missing 578 00:36:04,362 --> 00:36:09,365 By her mother in 2004, when she was 36 years old. 579 00:36:09,434 --> 00:36:11,601 [wayne] she was an adult at the time she went missing. 580 00:36:11,603 --> 00:36:13,536 As matter of fact, her mother waited several 581 00:36:13,605 --> 00:36:15,739 Years before she even reported her missing. 582 00:36:15,741 --> 00:36:17,374 I think she had talked about leaving, 583 00:36:17,442 --> 00:36:19,543 Getting out of butler, pennsylvania. 584 00:36:19,611 --> 00:36:24,013 We actually sent an fbi agent to the mother's home 585 00:36:24,082 --> 00:36:27,017 And got a dna swab and discovered, yes, 586 00:36:27,085 --> 00:36:29,687 This is truly her daughter. 587 00:36:32,323 --> 00:36:34,691 [narrator] investigators continue digging, 588 00:36:34,693 --> 00:36:38,261 Conducting interviews with anyone who knew kimberly. 589 00:36:49,107 --> 00:36:51,941 In talking with people that she had dated in the past, 590 00:36:51,943 --> 00:36:57,047 She was extremely jealous. She was very controlling. 591 00:36:57,115 --> 00:36:59,616 She was at times very violent. 592 00:37:05,624 --> 00:37:07,523 [bill] when we're interviewing people, we found out she went 593 00:37:07,592 --> 00:37:10,627 By around 17 different aliases. 594 00:37:10,695 --> 00:37:14,063 She had several driver's licenses in different states, 595 00:37:14,065 --> 00:37:17,167 This is a weird, evil woman. 596 00:37:20,472 --> 00:37:22,273 [narrator] coming up, 597 00:37:22,340 --> 00:37:25,975 Circumstantial evidence continues to mount, 598 00:37:25,977 --> 00:37:30,281 But kimberly presents an unexpected new obstacle. 599 00:37:30,348 --> 00:37:33,917 [bill] she was just very nasty to our deputies 600 00:37:33,919 --> 00:37:35,151 In the jail. 601 00:37:35,220 --> 00:37:38,021 She'd actually throw crap at them. 602 00:37:38,089 --> 00:37:39,856 Cuss at them, spit on them, 603 00:37:39,925 --> 00:37:40,691 All that. 604 00:37:44,896 --> 00:37:47,731 [music] 605 00:37:57,309 --> 00:38:01,177 [narrator] may 2018. It's been eight days since 606 00:38:01,179 --> 00:38:05,181 34-year-old joleen cummings went missing. 607 00:38:05,183 --> 00:38:08,452 Investigators now suspect the mother of three has been 608 00:38:08,520 --> 00:38:11,988 Killed by her coworker, kimberly kessler 609 00:38:11,990 --> 00:38:14,458 Who has allegedly been on the run and living 610 00:38:14,526 --> 00:38:19,796 Under false indentities for nearly 25 years. 611 00:38:19,865 --> 00:38:24,735 However, investigators have yet to recover a body. 612 00:38:24,803 --> 00:38:27,604 No body homicides, they are much more difficult 613 00:38:27,606 --> 00:38:30,540 To prosecute than when you have a body. 614 00:38:30,542 --> 00:38:33,443 The body itself is evidence, you know. 615 00:38:33,512 --> 00:38:36,379 And juries are very visual people. 616 00:38:39,484 --> 00:38:41,217 [narrator] a search of kimberly's cell phone 617 00:38:41,219 --> 00:38:44,620 Leads to crucial evidence. 618 00:38:44,622 --> 00:38:46,923 We have her internet searches-- 619 00:38:46,991 --> 00:38:52,094 Coworker guilty of murder, coworker not found, 620 00:38:52,163 --> 00:38:54,330 No body, no crime. 621 00:38:54,332 --> 00:38:56,766 There were literally hundreds of searches 622 00:38:56,835 --> 00:39:00,637 In reference to joleen cummings' disappearance. 623 00:39:04,109 --> 00:39:08,845 [narrator] despite having no body, on September 7, 2018, 624 00:39:08,847 --> 00:39:12,115 A nassau county grand jury indicts kimberly 625 00:39:12,183 --> 00:39:15,585 On first-degree murder charges. 626 00:39:15,654 --> 00:39:17,587 Once she is behind bars, 627 00:39:17,656 --> 00:39:19,590 Kimberly exhibits a string 628 00:39:19,657 --> 00:39:23,459 Of increasingly concerning behaviors. 629 00:39:23,528 --> 00:39:25,995 [bill] she would just be very nasty to our deputies 630 00:39:26,064 --> 00:39:27,463 In the jail. 631 00:39:27,532 --> 00:39:31,935 She'd actually throw crap at them she'd save in a cup, 632 00:39:31,937 --> 00:39:36,106 And smear it on the windows, all over her cell. 633 00:39:36,174 --> 00:39:37,875 Cuss at them, spit on them, 634 00:39:37,942 --> 00:39:40,243 All that. 635 00:39:42,747 --> 00:39:45,681 [narrator] the behaviors warrant enough concern to conduct 636 00:39:45,750 --> 00:39:49,285 A mental evaluation to determni if kimberly is fit 637 00:39:49,287 --> 00:39:51,854 To stand trial. 638 00:39:51,923 --> 00:39:53,356 [dr. Durvasula] she was diagnosed with 639 00:39:53,425 --> 00:39:55,024 Delusional disorder-- 640 00:39:55,026 --> 00:40:00,096 Somebody who has shown that they maintain behaviors 641 00:40:00,165 --> 00:40:04,100 That are, that are not based 642 00:40:04,102 --> 00:40:06,636 In any form of fact or reality. 643 00:40:09,841 --> 00:40:14,510 Now, if a person is a very, very convincing actor, 644 00:40:14,579 --> 00:40:17,046 They could convince somebody that they have 645 00:40:17,115 --> 00:40:18,716 Delusional disorder. 646 00:40:18,783 --> 00:40:23,052 So another psychologist reevaluated kimberly, 647 00:40:23,121 --> 00:40:27,457 And based on their assessment, found that kimberly met criteria 648 00:40:27,525 --> 00:40:30,593 For an unspecified personality disorder 649 00:40:30,662 --> 00:40:33,730 And not a delusional disorder. 650 00:40:33,798 --> 00:40:37,266 It's not considered to be that real break from reality 651 00:40:37,335 --> 00:40:40,670 That we would see in successful sorts of 652 00:40:40,738 --> 00:40:43,072 Use of an insanity defense. 653 00:40:43,141 --> 00:40:45,208 [charity] well, the judge is actually the one who 654 00:40:45,276 --> 00:40:47,477 Makes the final decision. 655 00:40:47,545 --> 00:40:50,780 He decided she was clearly okay to stand for trial. 656 00:40:54,686 --> 00:40:58,889 [narrator] when kimberly's trial begins in December 2021, 657 00:40:58,957 --> 00:41:04,561 Her gaunt appearance is shocking, as are her antics. 658 00:41:04,563 --> 00:41:06,897 When she was housed at, in the nassau county jail 659 00:41:06,965 --> 00:41:09,967 Detention facility, she went on a hunger strike. 660 00:41:11,035 --> 00:41:14,971 Every time that, uh, kimberly had a court hearing, 661 00:41:15,039 --> 00:41:17,306 She would come in and she would be disruptive. 662 00:41:17,375 --> 00:41:19,742 So the judge would have her removed. 663 00:41:23,114 --> 00:41:26,515 [narrator] the theatrics do nothing to distract prosecutors 664 00:41:26,585 --> 00:41:29,986 From building their case. They present kimberly 665 00:41:30,055 --> 00:41:33,523 As a troubled woman who lashed out when joleen threatened to 666 00:41:33,591 --> 00:41:37,827 Uncover her long-kept secrect. 667 00:41:37,896 --> 00:41:40,597 I think whenever joleen told her, 668 00:41:40,599 --> 00:41:41,865 I'm gonna find out who you are, 669 00:41:41,933 --> 00:41:44,001 That was the straw that broke the camel's back. 670 00:41:46,337 --> 00:41:47,871 For somebody with kimberly kessler's 671 00:41:47,939 --> 00:41:51,941 Personality style, once somebody is on to them, 672 00:41:51,943 --> 00:41:55,745 It is not unusual for that person with that personality 673 00:41:55,814 --> 00:41:59,148 To really agitated, to escalate. 674 00:41:59,150 --> 00:42:02,286 I believe they got into a physical altercation. 675 00:42:02,353 --> 00:42:04,887 Joleen cummings fought back, 676 00:42:04,956 --> 00:42:08,892 But I think kimberly was able to get ahold of a pair of scissors. 677 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:12,161 That was what incapacitated joleen cummings, 678 00:42:12,230 --> 00:42:14,764 So that the body could be disposed of later on 679 00:42:14,766 --> 00:42:16,700 In the back part of the salon. 680 00:42:19,971 --> 00:42:23,306 [dr. Durvasula] kimberly kessler likely felt entitled 681 00:42:23,308 --> 00:42:25,708 To eliminating joleen, 682 00:42:25,710 --> 00:42:29,579 So that she could maintain her own false reality 683 00:42:29,647 --> 00:42:31,515 That she had been using to get through the world 684 00:42:31,583 --> 00:42:34,751 All of these years. It's actually quite chilling. 685 00:42:37,522 --> 00:42:40,189 [narrator] on December 9, 2021, 686 00:42:40,191 --> 00:42:44,061 The jury convicts 53-year-old kimberly kessler 687 00:42:44,128 --> 00:42:47,630 Of first-degree murder and grand theft auto. 688 00:42:49,067 --> 00:42:50,733 She was sentenced to life in prison without 689 00:42:50,802 --> 00:42:53,870 Possibility of parole. 690 00:42:56,808 --> 00:42:59,742 [narrator] to this day, the search for joleen's body 691 00:42:59,811 --> 00:43:04,213 Continues, and investigators remain determined to reunite 692 00:43:04,282 --> 00:43:07,483 Her with her beloved family. 693 00:43:07,485 --> 00:43:11,021 I will never give up hope on locating joleen. 694 00:43:11,089 --> 00:43:13,489 [crystal] I love and miss joleen very much, 695 00:43:13,491 --> 00:43:15,224 And I would like to say to kimberly, 696 00:43:15,293 --> 00:43:18,629 If you have any decency 697 00:43:18,696 --> 00:43:23,766 Or any feelings whatsoever, 698 00:43:23,768 --> 00:43:26,635 At least give this family some closure 699 00:43:26,705 --> 00:43:28,871 And tell them where she is. 700 00:43:31,309 --> 00:43:37,113 [music]