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Ebook Details
  • 01/2023
  • 979-8-88504-463-9 B0BSTNTFCW
  • 244 pages
  • $4.99
Paperback Details
  • 01/2023
  • 979-8-88504-440-0 B0BT733B9K
  • 264 pages
  • $17.99
Bill Gilmour
Author
Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction: An Uncle's Quest for Understanding & Inspiring Life Lessons
Bill Gilmour, author

Adult; Spirituality/Inspirational; (Market)

Are you caught in the grip of despair? Discover powerful insights for overcoming trauma and finding healing.

Do circumstances beyond your control keep tearing your life apart? Trapped in a cycle of misery and desperate to find an escape? Do you struggle to greet each new day with a sense of hope? As the grieving uncle of Jennifer Kesse, a young woman missing since 2006, Bill Gilmour has endured his own agony and, for over seventeen years, used his brokenness as a catalyst to change the course of his outlook on life. Now he’s here to share his heartbreaking story and invite you to emerge from suffering into joy through family, community, and God.

Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction is a raw and honest journey for men who've bought into the lies that vulnerability equates to weakness and for anyone looking to become a better version of themselves. Using the account of his niece's unspeakable and still unresolved abduction, relatable examples, meaningful quotes, reference topics, and reflection points, Bill walks with and guides you toward a preferred future. And by applying these hard-won truths, you too can brush away the tears and stride forth with fresh purpose and renewed hope.

In Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction, you'll discover:

- Pathways to help you navigate life's most difficult challenges and make it to the other side stronger

- Inspiration to assist you in valuing and building robust relationships with the people in your life

- A conversational tone that answers questions, eases doubts, and provides you with empathy-filled lessons for bolstering your resilience

- Understanding the power of vulnerability, humble honesty, making pivotal changes, never giving up, and much, much more!

Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction is the must-have resource to come up for air and take that first deep breath. If you like in-the-trenches wisdom, knowing you're not alone, and embracing reconciliation to gain restoration, then you'll love Bill Gilmour's moving pilgrimage.

Don't wait…buy Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction and begin experiencing personal peace, hope, and joy!

Reviews
Amazon Reviews

Divinfool 5.0 out of 5 stars An incredible journey of faith and reminder of God’s faithfulness. Reviewed in the United States on April 20, 2023. Verified Purchase

After reading his book, I feel I know Bill as a friend. He shares his personal struggles with this tragedy so openly and so well. The book has many quotes placed strategically after each story or example which can be somewhat distracting, but so applicable. This book will build your faith in a living, personal and loving God. When our lives are touched by the power of the Holy Spirit like Bill’s has been, how can you not share it with everyone?! I not only enjoyed reading it, but also am inspired to be the man that God wants me to be. Thanks Bill for sharing this journey of sanctification the Lord has given you.

Peggy Krompasick 5.0 out of 5 stars A must read! Reviewed in the United States on February 20, 2023. Verified Purchase

This true story written by Bill Gilmour is a book about a devastating event that is unconscionable and unresolved which took place , changing the lives of Bill and his family forever. . Bill shares his story with transparency and emotion . You will feel and witness his ability to grasp hope and peace although he and his family continue to live this devastation every day . You will not be able to put this book down. . It is with grace and conviction that Bill can share this tragic story and still find peace to walk beside friends and strangers and offer them comfort and peace in their lives .Bills faith and journey is exemplary of a true man of God . This book is a must read and I guarantee once you have read it you will encourage those close to you to read it as well I promise you will not be disappointed. .

Savvyshopper 5.0 out of 5 stars Planting Seeds and Inspiring HopeReviewed in the United States on March 31, 2023. Verified Purchase

Not every family experiences the kind of unthinkable tragedy that Bill Gilmour's family had to face. However, we all lose hope and purpose at some point in our lives. This book is an amazing inspirational guide to understanding how we can build a better relationship with God during times of adversity, and how we can move forward by planting seeds and inspiring hope to all those individuals we encounter in our daily lives. This process takes work, but the results are life-changing! Thank you, Bill, for having the courage to share your personal story in such an intimate way!

Slator T. 5.0 out of 5 stars This book is a "DON'T MISS" read...Reviewed in the United States on February 22, 2023. Verified Purchase

What a testimony to how God can turn what is meant for evil into GOOD!

Jennifer's story will provide hope and inspiration for everyone - it certainly did for me.

I am not a book reader. In fact, this is the first book I have read in 10+ years - all because a close friend told me I had to read this book. Once I started reading, I could not put the book down - it completely captivated me!.

Mitch S. 5.0 out of 5 stars This book will help you in your spiritual growth.Reviewed in the United States on April 8, 2023. Verified Purchase

Outstanding book filled with true inspirational stories. Amazing how life’s tragedies can draw us closer to God and grow us if we turn to Him. This book will help anyone who has had a difficult loss.

Flounders 5.0 out of 5 stars WOW-shows a great blue print of how one can address challenges with Faith, Love, & Patience. Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023. Verified Purchase

Real, authentic, and felt like having a conversation not reading a book. Its a great reminder that success is there in your lowest of lows. It shows a way to achieve and overcome one's problem. Small actions of courtesy and kindness can start someone else quest of understanding. It reminds us how real people deal with the great unknown & patience in getting the resolution that the quest will take them on.

richard troutman 5.0 out of 5 stars The Lords master plan! Reviewed in the United States on February 14, 2023. Verified Purchase

I loved this book. Actual testimony of how our Father uses so many people to change lives for the better through unspeakable tragedy. I especially enjoyed reading about the three men who God placed in Bill’s life in the early days: Bill Rush, Mark Stanakis and Ed Wood along with all the BSF men. Thank you Bill for inspiring me.

A. Davis 5.0 out of 5 stars Heart warming book filled with life lessons Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2023. Verified Purchase

I found this book to be captivating and hard to put down. While Bill lays out the facts of the sad disappearance of his niece, it’s his life transformation and life lessons that makes the book so captivating. It’s an inspirational read as I pray for the return of his niece, Jennifer, or some other form of closure for the family!

Kindle Customer 2.0 out of 5 stars Looking for God. Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2023. Verified Purchase

I thought the book would be more about the abduction. The book is more about looking for God. There are many interesting stories about faith and God

Alexis Mittereder 5.0 out of 5 stars Incredibly inspiring. How to be an ambassador of Hope. Reviewed in the United States on August 13, 2023

An incredibly vulnerable testimony of faith in the most tumultuous of circumstances. Bill's vulnerability cultivates an instant connection and a desire to follow his journey to the end. This book is filled with wisdom bombs about the importance of fellowship, obedience, and the ways that God is ALWAYS working in the background, orchestrating beauty even in our darkest moments.

RunCharRun 5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Illustration of HOPE. Reviewed in the United States on July 17, 2023

This book is about learning to lean on FAITH in the most "UNGODLY" of atrocities. Such a clear insight and open testimony of a family's walk (particular the uncle) during the most painful times.

We too are the same church members, have a daughter the same age as Jennifer Kesse, went on several events to deliver flyers and pray etc.

One of the most comforting words Pastor David ever spoke when The Kesse family came to visit one Sunday- was that "we don't know where Jennifer is... but GOD does". Somehow in that moment I felt a veil of comfort fill my heart. I pray often for God's timing to help bring closure to this hurting family.

Very well written book of Hope and Inspiration and spreading God's word inspite of something horrific in your life. I hope there are more books to come! Well Done!!!

Teri Mulvey 5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and Hopeful…A Must Read. Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2023

I was in middle school when Jennifer Kesse went missing and I remember hearing about it from adults around me and seeing the posters all around town. I got to meet Bill one Sunday recently after church at First Baptist Orlando. He shared his story briefly on stage with Pastor David that morning and I knew I wanted to go get a copy of his book. I was expecting to read a true crime story, but what Bill gives instead is a true hope story. I could not put this book down and know it is impacting everyone who reads it. I believe Jennifer’s case is solvable and I am praying for truth to be revealed.

CaptSteve 5.0 out of 5 stars The gift of Insight, Inspiration and faith found through horrirfic tragedy. Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2023

Bill Gilmour's writings offer unique insight into yourself. He shares his experience, his strength, and his own journey to God. This book can change the course of your life. You only need the courage to step into the Faith you have it within. Bill's book will help you find it and inspire the courage within to live it.

Shannon Cramer 5.0 out of 5 stars A monument to the hope we have in Jesus. Reviewed in the United States on June 19, 2023

Bill's book is a testimony of how resilient the human spirit can be when we trust our tragedies to the redeeming power of Christ's love. In a situation that few of us can imagine, Bill models how to look up. This book is a monument to the hope we have in Jesus.

Denise Maurer 5.0 out of 5 stars Hope in the throes of unspeakable tragedy. Reviewed in the United States on May 7, 2023

Bill's book is an inspiration and source of hope for those who have experienced great suffering and even tragedy in their lives. For those who have been fortunate enough to live the normal ups and downs of everyday life, this book will give you insight and understanding for those who struggle in the most painful situations life can bring. Being written with honesty, vulnerability, and humility broadens its appeal to a wide variety of readers. His style is real and relatable with a deep understanding of what it means to be human and broken on so many levels. It is a book to be read more than once, and shared with many.

Mike K. 5.0 out of 5 stars Great book with inspirational message. Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2023

After Bill’s niece was abducted, he hit rock bottom with no one to turn to but God. He trusted God through the biggest trial of his life and personally experienced peace. Sharing vulnerably, he desires the same for you and me. The book is well written and full of great messages of hope and inspiration. Get a copy today and dig in.

Eightiesbug 5.0 out of 5 stars Truly inspiring. Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2023

A powerful story of an uncle's quest to find meaning after the unexplained disappearance of his beloved niece. This book served as a modern day reminder of Victor Frankl's very timeless message that in between a stimulus and response, there is a space and in that space humans choose their attitude and their way. The author showed a lot of vulnerability describing his retrospective disappointment in himself after his niece disappeared. He then shares stories on how he and other filled their "Space" with hope, sustainable relationships, and inner peace. A must read for anyone - with or without a traumatic past.

James Montesi; school teacher, Central Florida. 5.0 out of 5 stars The author doesn't pull any punches. He tells you what it takes to live a true life of faith. Reviewed in the United States on March 15, 2023

I like the fact that the author did not dwell on the tragedy of his sister's loss and the aftermath of grief it created for so many people. Instead, he offered words of hope for those of us who are too mortal to understand God's bigger plan for our lives'. Bill Gilmour found a truth and his book lays out the foundations of building a lifelong relationship with God in order to come to understand God's plan for the obstacles and sometimes tragedies he puts in front of us; an amount significantly sufficient to make us uncomfortable in understanding how much we do not know without the benefit of scripture. Bill clearly delineates the necessity of becoming a true believer and investing the requisite time needed to reach an understanding of the hope and grace the Bible holds. For anyone sitting on the fence, this book should rally you to the side of becoming a humbled servant and to the promises which can be reached through deliberate worship and fellowship with those who seek a similar truth.

Trish Allison 5.0 out of 5 stars Inspirational for sure. Reviewed in the United States on March 9, 2023

A sad but hopeful true story. I was thoroughly captivated by this family's grief and hopefulness from beginning to end. It's a great blueprint for how to deal with emotions after a tragedy.

V. Ritter 5.0 out of 5 stars This is a lovely book. Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2023

Long before he would share Jennifer’s story and his own in a book, Bill Gilmour inspired me through his life as my neighbor. His uplifting and purposeful approach to life was evident in everyday encounters.

Now, reading the moving account of his journey, I find new inspiration.

This is a lovely book. Its hope and guidance will encourage the reader to accept troubling times as opportunity for spiritual growth. And most of all, it is a reminder that God’s desire to meet us is often most present in times of sorrow and upheaval.

Linonae Fashion 5.0 out of 5 stars Interesting Read. Reviewed in the United States on February 27, 2023

A lot of life lessons learned

Merrilldca 5.0 out of 5 stars The Unexpected Journey to Faith and Maturity. Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2023

God brought Bill to genuine faith in such an unexpected manner. This book tells that story and so much more! He gives such practical insights into how God faithfully grows His followers. I pray that many readers will benefit from coming along the adventure with Bill, to see how God is with them to take their next step of faith.

Barbara White 5.0 out of 5 stars I Couldn't Put It Down. Reviewed in the United States on February 5, 2023=

There are books that entertain and there are books that are thought-provoking. This book is both. From the beginning, I was pulled in by the hope described in each story. Bill Gilmour has weaved an excellent retelling of some very remarkable lives. Each journey is extraordinary.

Elizabeth Stone 5.0 out of 5 stars A compelling story of God revealing Himself in difficult circumstances. Reviewed in the United States on February 1, 2023

A compelling story of God revealing Himself amid horrific circumstances. Bill’s spiritual journey — his struggles, questions, doubts, and fears — is told with great vulnerability, making the lessons relatable to the reader. As he learns to walk with and trust God, Bill invites readers on the quest to live intentionally. A must-read for anyone going through times of difficulty, stress, and uncertainty.

Kim Jones 5.0 out of 5 stars A personal and profound story of love, faith, and hope shared from the heart that will inspire. Reviewed in the United States on January 30, 2023

Bill's heartfelt words and vulnerability are so refreshing. His journey is an amazing testimony to God's great love and grace. His joys and heartaches are so relatable it's hard to put the book down. His words are a great encouragement and inspiration.

Nick Gilmour 5.0 out of 5 stars Powerful reminder to restore relationships!Reviewed in the United States on April 7, 2023. Verified Purchase

I was impressed with Bill’s vulnerability in sharing about himself, his marriage, and life’s challenges. He was rewarded with restored relationships. His insights and lessons learned, along with the other powerful, inspiring stories, were truly encouraging.

Amaroo_Gsy 5.0 out of 5 stars Can’t wait…Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 15, 2023. Verified Purchase

Book arrived today, can’t wait to read this. I’ve followed this case since it happened and I’m waiting for the day that Jennifer and her family get justice.

 

           

 

News
10/22/2023
'WITHOUT A TRACE' Chilling link between missing Jennifer Kesse and geologist Dan

THE family of missing Jennifer Kesse has put authorities to task for allegedly failing to act upon vital evidence that could help solve the tragic 17-year mystery.

Jennifer, who disappeared in Orlando in January 2006, has never been found despite a continuing, desperate search by her family who will never give up hope.

They have battled with law enforcement in the years since her disappearance, which included settling a lawsuit against the Orlando Police Department to release all the records on file.

That allowed the Florida Department of Law Enforcement to become involved and documents reportedly revealed that, unbeknownst to the heartbroken Kesse family, DNA was indeed collected from her 2006 black Chevy Malibu, despite being told otherwise.

The tragic breakdown in communication bears a similarly, upsetting resemblance to the investigation into missing geologist Daniel Robinson, who disappeared in the Arizona desert two years ago and, like Jennifer, hasn't been found.

In an interview with The U.S. Sun, Daniel's father, David, claimed cops failed to carry out the requisite forensic tests on his son's car, something which the Buckeye police department denies.

"Several items from the Jeep were swabbed for touch DNA. These items do not meet the criteria for testing by the state crime lab, " they wrote in an e-mail to The U.S. Sun.

"A list of these items is in the report. The report also details the conversation the investigator had with the state crime lab about making an exception to test some of the swabs."

Now Jennifer's uncle Bill Gilmour, who has written a book about his niece's situation, is hoping that thanks to the fresh involvement of the Florida Department of Law Enforcement, more light can be shed on the DNA revelation.

The family hopes to work with police to focus on six specific elements of the investigation: to meet with the team investigating Jennifer's case; speak with all individuals identified; resubmit all the physical evidence; review all the case files; look back over all the findings; and talk to those who were identified but have yet to be interrogated.

Yet, once again, progress has been painfully slow.

"I spoke to Jennifer's dad about this in July and there's been no significant movement forward since then," an exasperated Bill told The U.S. Sun.

"It's frustrating."

When Bill attended Crimecon in Orlando last month, he spoke to the myriad of experts at the show, who all were able to impart their expertise and attempt to help the family move forward.

While surveillance video of a person of interest has yet to identify the person in the footage - a clear shot of their face is blocked by a gate at her apartment complex - deciphering the DNA could be a huge moment in a case that still, after all this time, poses more questions than answers.

Jennifer spoke on the phone to her parents and boyfriend in her Orlando apartment before disappearing without a trace, never to be seen again. They were never considered suspects and her boyfriend's alibi checked out.

"All of these things potentially have hope," Bill told The U.S. Sun. "They could take the DNA and reconstruct the three-dimensional image of what they believe that person would look like."

The Kesses are also hopeful with new technology constantly helping push the boundaries of genealogical discoveries, answers to Jennifer's mysterious vanishing could become more apparent, sooner rather than later.

"There are techniques that weren't available even 10 years ago," added Bill, who points out in his book - Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction: An Uncle's Quest for Understanding and Inspiring Life Lessons - that his niece was having "an uncomfortable experience" with workers at her condo complex.

None of them were considered as suspects.

"Jenn lived alone and felt like she was being watched and subjected to unwelcome stares," he wrote.

As the search continues, the Kesses have at least helped instigate a change in Florida legislation over how to report a missing person.

Previously, if someone was over 18 years of age, only a family member - and not, for example, a friend if they had disappeared from a college dorm - could notify police of the situation.

Now however, thanks in part to Jennifer's father, Drew, that age requirement has now been changed to 26 in the hopes it could help others in the future.

The pain for Drew and his loved ones, however, continues.

"He has shouldered this entirely on himself," said Bill. "He has tried to shield his family with the mindset of how many more people need to be pulled into the abyss."

This week in Tampa on October 19, the Kesse's will join other families for Missing in Florida Day, which is being run by the Florida Institute of Forensic Anthropology and Applied Science.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement did not respond to The U.S. Sun's request for comment.

10/24/2023
DISTURBING STARES Missing Jennifer Kesse’s uncle says she feared she was being

JENNIFER Kesse told her family about some uncomfortable experiences at her condo complex before vanishing 17 years ago, her uncle has revealed.

Police detectives looking into the January 2006 disappearance of Jennifer, who was 24 at the time and living in Orlando, interviewed several people working in the area who were cleared.

The Kesses, however, maintain not all the Spanish-speaking workers were interrogated, and that many of the people they had seen at the complex previously suddenly weren't there

And, in a book by her uncle - The Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction - that details the heartbreak of dealing with his beloved niece's situation, Bill Gilmour stressed that Jennifer felt she was being watched and subjected to "unwanted stares."

Private investigator Michael Torretta was brought in by the family to work on the case after a legal battle with the Orlando Police Department was won and the case files were handed over.

He believed around ten construction workers lived in an empty apartment across from Jennifer's and that one of them abducted her, per a report by CBS News.

Complex management denied Torretta's theory about them all living together.

Gilmour described Jennifer, who was working as a project manager for a time-share company, as "predictable in a good way," which made her shock disappearance all the more bizarre and suspicious.

She was very safety conscious and even made a habit of calling her mother or father when walking to her car after a night out or a meeting so everyone would know she was safe.

"Jennifer was intelligent, always conscious of her surroundings, and planned for her safety," wrote Bill, who is adamant that there were no problems in her life that would have made her want to run away and end contact with her loved ones.

Her boyfriend Rob and immediate family were all interviewed by police.

While Rob admitted their last phone call "didn't go well," detectives struggled to make inroads.

Jennifer's black Chevy Malibu was found two days after she vanished a mile from the apartment but there was little else to go on.

Surveillance video from the complex showed someone parking her car on the day Jennifer disappeared, although crucially, the person's face was obscured.

That led the Kesses to the workers at the complex.

"Anyone who has bought a new home knows there will be continuing involvement with the developer and maintenance staff for some time," Bill said in his book.

"Unfortunately, Jenn lived alone and felt like she was being watched and subjected to unwelcome stares.

"Jenn shared her concerns with her father. As a result, Drew told her to call if she ever felt threatened or in danger, and he would come to Orlando and take care of it.

"She also made a formal complaint to the property management company. Based on Jenn’s concerns, Joyce and Drew immediately suspected the workers when they realized Jenn was missing."

Lead investigator Detective Joel Wright took a fresh look at the case in 2009 and honed in on a man called Chino, whose name cropped up in a conversation with a former housekeeper who worked at the same complex.

At the time, Chino was in prison on a rape charge, and although Wright interviewed him and made him take a polygraph test, no further action was taken.

Fast-forward to today, and the Kesses are still searching for Jennifer with no new leads.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement continues to look at the case but progress is slow.

DNA found in her car, initially unbeknownst to the family until they received the files from the Orlando Police Department, could shed some light.

"All of these things potentially have hope," Bill told The U.S. Sun recently at Crimecon.

"They could take the DNA and reconstruct the three-dimensional image of what they believe that person would look like."

Yet the pain of the last 17 years refuses to wilt, with Bill admitting writing his book was a "cathartic" experience that helped deal with the hell of simply not knowing.

Recalling the nightmare of the first few days following Jennifer's disappearance, as father Drew orchestrated a flyer campaign amid a desperate search for his daughter, Bill wrote from the heart.

"As I tried to sleep, my mind played out all the possible dark scenarios of what could have happened to Jenn," he said.

"Emotions were all over the map — glad for new information, yet overwhelmed with a sense of loss and grief, sorrow, and sadness.

"What happened and where was she?

"Nothing made sense. Jenn was living her dream."

08/26/2022
Jennifer Kesse, 24, Disappears, Clothes Out for Work & Shower Damp. WHERE'S JENN

When Jennifer Kesse didn't show up for work, everyone who knew the 24-year-old recognized there was trouble. Kesse was a responsible, habitual person.

She talked to her family regularly. She called her boyfriend every morning on the way to work, and she never missed work, most certainly not without letting her boss know if she needed to be off. 

Not only was Jennifer missing, but so was her car. It's found two days later, parked in an apartment complex over a mile from her home and wiped clean. Jennifer Kesse has not been seen since  2006. 

Now her uncle, Bill Gilmour, describes the restless nights since then and his emotional journey to find peace, in a new book  "Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse’s Abduction: An Uncle’s Inspiring Journey and Other Stories of Hope." 

Joining Nancy Grace Today:

  • Bill Gilmour - Jennifer's Uncle, Author: "Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse’s Abduction: An Uncle’s Inspiring Journey & Other Stories of Hope" InspiringHopeDaily.com, Facebook.com/bgilmour1, Twitter: @InspireHopeBill
  • Matthew Mangino - Attorney, Former District Attorney (Lawrence County), Former Parole Board Member, Author: "The Executioner's Toll: The Crimes, Arrests, Trials, Appeals, Last Meals, Final Words and Executions of 46 Persons in the United States", MattMangino.com, Twitter: @MatthewTMangino 
  • Caryn Stark - NYC Psychologist, CarynStark.com, Twitter: @carynpsych, Facebook: "Caryn Stark"
  • Joseph Scott Morgan - Professor of Forensics: Jacksonville State University, Author, "Blood Beneath My Feet", Host: "Body Bags with Joseph Scott Morgan"
  • Ray Caputo - Investigative Reporter (Orlando, FL), Professor, Bethune-Cookman University  

TIPLINE:  Federal Bureau of Investigation (866) 838-1153 

Kesse Family Tip Line (941) 201-4009 

JenniferKesse.comGoFundme.com/help-us-find-jennifer-kesse 

09/24/2023
Missing Jennifer Kesse's family holds out hope for possible DNA evidence

ORLANDO, Fla. – Jennifer Kesse's family is holding out hope potential DNA evidence might some day help investigators solve her 2006 disappearance.

Kesse vanished from her Orlando, Florida, condo Jan. 24, 2006, when she was 24 years old. She had placed several outfit choices on her bed that morning for work before leaving her new condo located within a complex called Mosaic at Millenia, her uncle Bill Gilmour told Fox News Digital at CrimeCon 2023.

Authorities located her vehicle, a black 2006 Chevy Malibu, at a different residential complex called Huntington on the Green about a mile away from Mosaic at Millenia on Jan. 26, 2006, after a neighbor reported seeing her missing car on television.

The Orlando Police Department (OPD) apparently claimed "that there wasn't … any evidence or nothing of consequence with [her] car," said Gilmour, who recently published a book, "Aftermath of Jennifer Kesse's Abduction: An Uncle's Quest for Understanding & Inspiring Life Lessons."

"But after my sister and brother sued them and got the records from the OPD and had their own team comb through the records — some 15-18,000 records — it said that they collected DNA in the car, which they originally said that they did not," Gilmour explained. 

 

The records obtained as a result of the Kesse family's lawsuit against OPD also included images of Kesse's vehicle, which had dust from the ongoing construction at her condo complex. 

The images showed "signs of a struggle" against the hood of her car, he said.

"We were never aware of that either. So it's just, it's just disheartening," Gilmour explained of his family's frustrations with OPD.

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the case in November, and the change could allow for new testing of potential DNA evidence from Kesse's car that her family hopes still exists today. Though law enforcement has never confirmed that information to the family directly.

 

Other significant evidence in Kesse's case includes surveillance video images of a person of interest who has yet to be identified. The person's face is obscured by a gate on the edge of the Huntington complex as he or she walked away from Kesse's car after parking it at the Huntington complex.

Kesse's family still does not know exactly how the 24-year-old woman, who was excelling at her job and in a healthy relationship with her boyfriend at the time, disappeared after she left for work at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee.

Her colleagues reported her missing that same day because it was unlike Kesse not to call if she was going to miss work, Gilmour said.

"What we knew at that time was whatever happened was totally out of character for Jennifer. She was predictable in a good way. She was intelligent, always conscious of her surroundings and planned for her safety," Gilmour writes in his new book. "Those who knew Jennifer would agree she didn't show any signs of discontent with her life, relationships, or work environment."

The last people Kesse spoke with over the phone the night before her disappearance were her parents and boyfriend.

Because Mosaic at Millenia was under construction at the time Kesse vanished, the building allowed workers to stay in vacant condos, as Fox News previously reported.

Gilmour writes in his book that Jennifer "had some uncomfortable experiences with some workers at her condo complex."

"Anyone who has bought a new home knows there will be continuing involvement with the developer and maintenance staff for some time. Unfortunately, Jenn lived alone and felt like she was being watched and subjected to unwelcome stares," Gilmour writes. 

Kesse even made a "formal complaint to the property management company" in charge of her building, according to Gilmour.

Now, 17½ years later, Kesse's family is still awaiting answers about what happened to their beloved 24-year-old daughter that morning in January.

A GoFundMe page, "Help Us Find Jennifer Kesse," has raised more than $117,000 to help her family pay for the "monstrous legal fees and PI bills that have accrued over time."

Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. Email tips to audrey.conklin@fox.com or on Twitter at @audpants.

 

Formats
Ebook Details
  • 01/2023
  • 979-8-88504-463-9 B0BSTNTFCW
  • 244 pages
  • $4.99
Paperback Details
  • 01/2023
  • 979-8-88504-440-0 B0BT733B9K
  • 264 pages
  • $17.99
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