Murder In America – EP 231: FLORIDA – THE CONSPIRING COWORKER: The Killing of Joleen Cummings
Overview
This episode of Murder in America, hosted by Courtney Shannon and Colin Browen, tells the harrowing story of the disappearance and murder of Joleen Cummings in Florida. The case winds through a web of personal relationships, a chillingly manipulative coworker, and a deep dive into the twisted life of Kimberly Kessler, the woman ultimately convicted for Joleen’s murder. With gripping narration and extensive use of first-hand accounts and official statements, the podcast lays bare the events leading up to Joleen’s death, the complicated investigation, and the aftermath that left a family and community shattered.
Episode Structure & Key Segments
1. The Life of Joleen Cummings
Timestamps: 05:50–18:17
- Childhood and Personality: Joleen is described as a caring, energetic, principled woman. She was supportive, social, and known for standing up for others.
- Motherhood: Joleen was devoted to her three children. Following the breakup of her marriage to Jason Cummings, she managed single motherhood and worked hard as a hairdresser to provide for her family.
- Salon Life: Clients and coworkers—dubbed her “hairapist”—described her as empathetic and kind, taking time to make everyone feel valued.
- Notable Quote:
- Detective Kelly: "Always a smile. I've never seen her crying over anything, and that was an inspiration to me." (08:57)
- Alma Powers: "She had a large group of friends. Everybody loved Jolene." (07:54)
2. Disappearance and Early Investigation
Timestamps: 18:17–32:16
- May 12–13, 2018: Jolene works her last shift at Tangles Salon, planning to celebrate Mother's Day and her birthday with her kids, but vanishes after work.
- Initial Panic: Her disappearance alarms her family; her ex-husband Jason and mother Ann coordinate to report her missing.
- Suspicion Falls on Exes: Police first suspect her ex-husbands, particularly Jason Cummings due to previous heated texts and child custody disputes.
- Jason’s Alibi and Hurt: "I wouldn't threaten a woman. My dad would kick my ass all up and down this earth, and that's my kid's mom." (23:14)
- Other Boyfriend, Jason G.: A violent altercation days before Jolene’s disappearance puts her newer boyfriend under scrutiny, but he also has a solid alibi.
3. The Mysterious Coworker: ‘Jennifer Seibert’ (Kimberly Kessler)
Timestamps: 32:16–54:44
- Discovery of Jolene's Car: Found abandoned at Home Depot, which leads to video surveillance showing a woman (not Jolene) parking and leaving the car.
- Gas Station Encounter: A worker recounts the odd behavior and appearance of the woman—later connected to Jennifer Seibert, Joleen’s coworker (36:00–41:18).
- "She went into this really weird conversation about what meth does to your body." (36:45)
- The woman sported fresh red marks on her face (39:07).
- Workplace Conflict: Accounts emerge of intense tension between Jolene and Jennifer. Jennifer obsessively monitors Jolene and makes unfounded accusations against her; Jolene is unsettled and uncomfortable.
- Jolene: "There's something off about her. That woman is not who she says she is." (45:16)
4. Unmasking Kimberly Kessler
Timestamps: 49:29–63:35
- Jennifer’s Disappearance: Police are unable to contact Jennifer after the murder. She gives odd excuses, claims to be fleeing an abusive ex, quits the job by text, but is eventually tracked down and arrested for grand theft auto.
- Interrogation and Revelations: She admits she is actually Kimberly Kessler and has been running from the FBI for 25 years, living under 18 aliases in 33 cities and 15 states.
- "I've been running from the FBI for over 25 years. I've been living under this particular alias since 1999." (62:37)
5. Kimberly Kessler’s Background and Behavior
Timestamps: 66:07–83:53
- Early Life and Violence: Former acquaintances describe her as unstable, violent, and manipulative, with chilling anecdotes of family assault, pet killing, and violent relationships.
- Identity Theft: Kessler stole names from gravestones to fabricate new identities. She even took on the identity of a deceased local girl, Jennifer Seibert.
- Previous Disappearances and Crimes: Lost custody of her son following a threatening incident in 1999; became a long-distance drifter as a result.
- Salon Work: Exhibited erratic and alarming behavior—paranoia, rage, and inappropriate interactions with colleagues.
6. The Forensic Breakthroughs & Evidence
Timestamps: 84:39–121:07
- Bloody Salon: Luminol testing at Tangles reveals extensive blood evidence—"lit up like a Christmas tree" (86:34)—across the salon. Surveillance video shows Kessler, after hours, dumping multiple heavy trash bags.
- No Body, No Murder Weapon: Investigators sifted through millions of pounds of landfill trash but couldn't find Jolene's remains.
- Sheriff Bill Leeper: "We have attained evidence...which leads us to believe Jolene is not alive. Sibert's real name is Kimberly Kessler..." (89:38)
- Digital Evidence: Kessler had repeatedly searched topics like “no body, no crime,” “co-worker guilty of murder,” and information on dismemberment, revealing murder premeditation and cleanup tactics.
- Physical Evidence: Jolene’s blood found on Kessler’s belongings; Jolene’s fingernail discovered in a tote Kessler dumped.
7. Trial, Conviction, and Aftermath
Timestamps: 121:07–131:23
- Legal Proceedings: Despite lacking a body, the evidence against Kessler—circumstantial, forensic, digital—was overwhelming. The defense argued “no body, no murder weapon, no crime”; the jury disagreed, returning a guilty verdict in one hour (121:07–122:28).
- Courtroom Chaos: Multiple outbursts, hunger strikes, and bizarre claims by Kessler, including conspiracy theories and feces attacks on jail staff.
- Judge’s Determination: Kimberly was “not delusional, but rather manipulative and psychopathic” (103:04–103:39)
- Sentencing: Life in prison without parole. Sheriff's department staff celebrated her transfer to state prison (131:04).
- Jolene’s family’s heartbreak: They’ve never recovered Jolene’s body, and her children grieve their mother without closure, visiting a memorial bench before a proper grave was established.
- Ann Johnson, Jolene’s mother: "'Nothing in life prepares survivors for the reality that someone you love has died of violent death. As survivors, we are grieving not only the death, but how Jolene died.'" (109:15)
- Jolene’s son wanted "to purchase a train ticket to heaven so he could see her again." (133:28)
Notable Quotes & Moments
Jolene’s impact:
- Jolene’s "entire life revolved around her children. They were her greatest joy and her constant motivation to be the best version of herself." (16:51)
On Kimberly Kessler:
- "I've been running from the FBI for over 25 years." – Kessler (62:37)
- "I don't for one second believe this is her first murder. She's evil. She's evil in the flesh." – Sheriff Leeper (128:18)
Family’s Grief:
- "We will not give up. Pray without ceasing for Jolene's remains to be found. Pray without ceasing for justice to be served for Jolene's children." – Ann Johnson (109:15)
Law Enforcement’s Perspective:
- "One person solved this case, and that was Jolene. Jolene left her blood and she left her DNA, and that's what got her." – Sheriff Leeper (128:26)
Emotional & Societal Impact
- Community and Law Enforcement: The case shocked local law enforcement and revealed holes in how someone could live undetected under dozens of identities across the US.
- Family Devastation: Jolene’s mother, stepfather, and children have experienced ongoing trauma without closure due to the lack of bodily remains.
- Unanswered Questions: Kessler maintains her silence. Many believe she may have had other victims, but no evidence conclusively links her to further crimes.
- Legacy: Friends and family continue to honor Jolene’s memory and hope for her recovery.
Timeline of Critical Events
- 05/12/2018 (approx. 19:00): Jolene’s last shift at Tangles. She’s last seen alive.
- 05/13/2018 (01:17): Jolene’s car is abandoned; an unknown woman (Kessler) is seen on video.
- 05/15/2018: Jolene reported missing; police identify coworker “Jennifer Seibert” as a suspect.
- 05/16/2018: Kessler is arrested while fleeing.
- 06/2018–2021: Investigation, delays (mental competency), evidence gathering, and trial.
- 12/09/2021: Verdict—Kimberly Kessler found guilty.
- 01/2022: Sentenced to life in prison without parole.
Final Notes
The episode masterfully reconstructs the events and personalities at the heart of the case, emphasizing both the forensic investigation and emotional toll. Jolene’s memory is honored throughout, while Kimberly Kessler, with her chilling background and unpredictable behavior, is exposed as the ultimate betrayer—a wolf among sheep.
For listeners new to the story, this episode is a cautionary tale about evil lurking in plain sight and a sobering reminder of the grief left behind by violent crime.