Park Predators – "The Ravine" (December 23, 2025)

Host: Delia D’Ambra
Location: Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Kentucky
Theme: The unsolved 1990 murder of Jennifer Bailey and its chilling parallels to a second unsolved killing in the same community.

Episode Overview

In this haunting episode, Delia D’Ambra delves into the 1990 disappearance and murder of 21-year-old Jennifer Bailey, who vanished while jogging in Pine Mountain State Resort Park, Kentucky. The investigation into her death, complicated by scarce physical evidence and a series of dead-end leads, remains unresolved 35 years later. The episode also explores the murder of Greta Henson—Jennifer’s cousin by marriage—17 months later, drawing unsettling parallels between the cases and highlighting the devastation wrought on one small community.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction: Setting the Scene

• Delia introduces Pine Mountain State Resort Park: a 1,500-acre natural haven loved for its scenic views and historic sites ([02:24]).
• Quote: “In the summer of 1990, a young woman jogging in this park came face to face with someone determined to shatter the quiet serenity of this landscape with unimaginable violence. The law enforcement investigation that followed was swift, but to this day the identity of the perpetrator or perpetrators and their motive for the crime remains an enigma.” – Delia D’Ambra ([02:24])

Jennifer Bailey’s Disappearance and Search (August 16–19, 1990)

• Jennifer Bailey: 21 years old, reliable, athletic, close to family, jogged regularly in the park ([04:19]).
• Day of Disappearance:
  • Jennifer last contacts her mom at 10:55 AM, promising to return soon; she doesn’t come home ([04:19]).
  • Her car, a silver 1987 Mercury Cougar, is found at the park trailhead: unlocked, wallet/keys under front seat, her mom’s medicine and a rental video inside; nothing appears stolen ([04:19]).
  • Odd: Jennifer usually locked her car, and no sign of a struggle ([04:19]).
• Ground Search:
  • 100+ volunteers, K9s, and law enforcement cover treacherous terrain; even a K9 handler is injured after falling from a cliff ([04:19]).
  • Search is suspended after three days; no trace is found ([04:19]).
• Witnesses: Several mention seeing Jennifer talking to a man in a dark pickup truck around 11:00 AM ([04:19]).

The Discovery of Jennifer’s Body (August 26–29, 1990)

• Discovery: Three people searching for arrowheads find a decomposing, mostly nude female body over an embankment, about 1.5 miles from where Jennifer was last seen ([14:24]).
• Jewelry (two gold chains) on the body matches what Jennifer usually wore ([14:24]).
• Autopsy: Confirms identity by dental records. Cause of death: asphyxiation (later clarified as strangulation). Also, evidence of sexual assault ([16:48]).
• Body was hidden in a ravine and covered with vegetation—deliberate concealment ([16:48]).
• Community Reaction: Jennifer was seen as responsible and upbeat—no history of depression, no paychecks picked up, making voluntary disappearance unlikely ([07:45]).

The Investigation’s Progress and Setbacks

• Initial Theories: Authorities float several possibilities; abduction vs. voluntary disappearance ([08:39]).
• Investigation focuses on:
  • The man and dark-colored pickup seen with Jennifer ([09:34]).
  • Three men of interest (Sam, Edward, and another in federal prison) identified by authorities; composite sketches released ([17:50]).
  • Sam: Short, muscular, 50s, receding hairline, silver rusted car, Southern accent.
  • Edward: Early 20s, curly blond hair, mustache, tattoo of cannabis leaf, frequents Norris Lake ([18:26]).
• Stalled Case: After early activity, the case goes cold, hampered by lack of physical evidence and unclear witness accounts. Some promising leads are not pursued according to former prosecutor ([25:43]).
• Quote: “It is my firm conviction that both these cases could have been solved within a few months of their occurrence if the state police had been willing to commit the human resources to effectively running the leads down... We have known for several years what the people involved looked like, but we are still looking at people that do not resemble the eyewitness testimony.” — Commonwealth’s Attorney William Hayes ([25:43])
• Contrasting View: Jennifer’s mother Janice remains trusting of investigators despite frustration ([26:31]).

A Second Tragedy: Greta Henson’s Murder (January 7, 1992)

• Greta Henson, Jennifer’s cousin by marriage, is found bound and executed in her home. Hands tied behind back; she was strangled and shot ([22:11]).
• Personal gun stolen; odd beige pickup seen at her house that day ([23:20]).
• Connections:
  • Both attended Bell County High School and frequented the same Walmart.
  • Greta’s home broken into two days prior; no similar incidents in Jennifer’s case ([24:15]).
• Law Enforcement: No formal link established between the two deaths despite speculation, due to differing MO and locations ([24:58]).
• Community Impact: Surge in sales of protective devices, firearms. Safety fears escalate among local women ([25:20]).

Decades of Grief, Hopes, and New Investigative Leads

• Unsolved and growing cold: By late 1990s, cases remain unsolved, causing ongoing anguish ([29:49]).
• Quote: “It’s been like a living hell, really. It’s like you went to bed and had a bad dream... but then reality comes back, and you wake up and it’s still there. It’s awful. It’s just really awful.” — Janice Bailey, Jennifer’s mother ([32:45])
• Physical Evidence (2020): KSP releases forgotten details of Jennifer’s missing items (Timex watch, gold earrings, jogging clothes, cassette player)—hoping someone recognizes them ([34:03]).
  • Quote: “These items are significant to us because somebody in the 90s could have got these as a gift… or remember where these items were located, a house the items were in.” — KSP Detective ([34:03])
• Renewed Hope (2024):
  • KSP reassigns case to new investigator following advocacy from William Hayes and family; jailhouse recordings from early ‘90s resurface, confirming some suspects had boasted details only the perpetrator would know ([36:33], [36:58]).
  • No charges have been filed; authorities urge anyone with knowledge to come forward ([36:58]).
  • Quote: “She was my baby girl. She went to work every morning. She’d say, ‘Bye, mom. I love you. See you at 5.’” — Janice Bailey on her ongoing grief ([35:41])
  • Quote: “I tried repeatedly to get the authorities to prosecute this case. They declined–but that was the old guard… there is a new state police commissioner… we are very hopeful.” — William Hayes ([36:33])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Jennifer’s Personality and Disappearance:
  • “She’s always in good spirits, never acted depressed or nothing.” — Jennifer’s Walmart co-worker ([07:45])
• Law Enforcement’s Central Theory:
  • “Whoever killed that little girl is going to be tied to a black truck one way or the other. They either own it or they borrowed it or their father owned it or their cousin.” — Investigating Detective ([33:49])
• On the Reluctance of Key Witnesses:
  • “Several folks who phoned in had briefly spoken with investigators, but then gotten spooked or didn’t want to provide their names and information.” ([34:57])
• On Victims’ Families Seeking Justice:
  • “I thank God for having a daughter like her for 24 years and I would like to see justice for her. I believe even the dead wants justice.” — Josephine Henson, Greta’s mother ([34:33])

Important Timestamps

• 02:24: Delia’s introduction to Pine Mountain State Resort Park and the case.
• 04:19: Details of Jennifer’s disappearance and the initial investigation.
• 14:24: Recovery of Jennifer Bailey’s body.
• 16:48: Autopsy results and investigative momentum.
• 17:50–18:26: Description of suspects "Sam" and "Edward".
• 22:11: Introduction of Greta Henson’s murder.
• 25:43: Commonwealth’s Attorney William Hayes criticizes police efforts.
• 32:45: Jennifer’s mother describes her grief.
• 33:49: Detective summarizes central theory linked to the black pickup truck.
• 34:03: 2020 KSP press release about Jennifer’s missing personal effects.
• 35:41: Janice Bailey speaks about daily life and loss.
• 36:33–36:58: William Hayes pushes renewed hope with new investigators.

Conclusion

Despite periodic surges in investigative attention, both Jennifer Bailey’s and Greta Henson’s murders remain unsolved. New leads, evolving forensic technology, and renewed institutional energy have failed—so far—to resolve the pain felt by the women’s families and their community. Delia closes with a direct appeal: if you have information, contact Kentucky State Police.

Contact Info for Tips:

• KY State Police: kyunsolved or 1-877-735-2648
• For Greta Henson: 606-573-3131

Production: Park Predators is an Audiochuck production. For more information or resources, visit parkpredators.com.