So Supernatural x The Final Hours — Jennifer Kesse Disappearance
Podcast: So Supernatural
Host: Audiochuck | Crime House
Episode: Introducing: The Final Hours with Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole
Date: February 23, 2026

Episode Overview

This crossover episode introduces the true crime podcast “The Final Hours,” hosted by Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole. The format is a deep, detail-driven exploration of mysterious disappearances, focusing on the case of Jennifer Kesse, a 24-year-old woman from Orlando, Florida, who vanished in 2006. The hosts delve into the pivotal last hours before her disappearance, meticulously unpacking clues and highlighting the struggles families endure when seeking justice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Podcast Introduction: The Purpose Behind ‘The Final Hours’

• Sarah Turney and Kourtney Nichole bring personal, lived experiences to their investigations of missing persons cases (04:17–04:39).

  • Sarah: Advocated for her sister, Alyssa, who disappeared in 2001.
  • Kourtney: Driven by family involvement in crime, aiming for nuanced perspectives.

• Quote:

  “Each episode, Sarah will offer insight on what those close to the victim might have been going through. And I'll give more context into the crime scene, the red flags, and the investigation itself.” – Kourtney (04:39)

2. Background: Who Was Jennifer Kesse?

• Jennifer, 24, was establishing her independence in Orlando; she had a new condo and a budding career (06:00–07:12).
• She was known for cautiousness, a trait shaped by her family’s past trauma (07:12–08:24).
• Quote:

  “Jennifer was super mindful of her own personal, personal safety...someone with a you can never be too careful type of attitude.” – Kourtney (07:12)

• The condo complex was under construction, with many unfamiliar people (especially construction workers) coming and going, increasing her unease.

3. Timeline of Jennifer’s Last Known Days

• Vacation & Return: Jennifer and her boyfriend Rob vacationed in St. Croix then parted ways when she returned to Orlando (08:53–10:04).
• Final Phone Calls: She spoke to her family and boyfriend; the last conversation with Rob involved a typical relationship disagreement (10:04–10:44).
• Memorable reflection:

  • “You always imagine the last time you see somebody... you’re going to tell them how much you love them. And that’s just not reality.” – Sarah (10:23)

• Morning Routine: On Jan 24, 2006, Jennifer followed her usual routine—shower, makeup, grabbing her things—but never arrived at work (15:09–16:40).
  • Wet towel, makeup on the counter, clothes left out—tiny unremarkable details that now loom large.

4. Immediate Aftermath: The Search Begins

• When Jennifer failed to show up or call, her parents and brother quickly investigated (18:03–18:52).

  • Apartment looked normal, no sign of struggle.
  • All her personal items gone; car missing.

• The police’s initial response was dismissive, suspecting she was upset from a spat with her boyfriend and would return—a common, but flawed approach (19:45–20:58).

• Quote:

  “If somebody in your life goes missing and the police refuse to take a report, keep insisting, keep being annoying for your loved one.” – Sarah (20:28)

5. Critical Clues: Surveillance & Evidence

• A neighbor reported seeing Jennifer’s car leaving the complex erratically (22:16–22:47).
• Her car was found two days later at another condo complex known for dumped vehicles (23:10). Forensic evidence included a partial palm print and hair, but no DNA match or useful lead (23:10–25:22).
• Surveillance Video: A grainy, glitchy security tape captured a short male (5'3"–5'5") parking Jennifer’s car and walking away. The footage was too poor for identification, even after NASA’s attempted enhancement (25:22–26:43).
• The five-hour window between Jennifer leaving her home and when her car was abandoned remains unaccounted for.

6. Investigation Obstacles and Developments

• The complex had security lapses and multiple day laborers who became uncooperative or vanished after the disappearance (31:11).

• Reports of harassment and suspicious activity by construction workers surfaced; questions were raised about possible human trafficking, given the nature of the complex (33:11–34:47).

  • Quote:

    “It can happen right in front of you...it happens under our noses.” – Sarah (33:32)

• Over the years, leads such as “Chino,” a former maintenance worker with a criminal record, were investigated, but no definitive connection was found (35:10–37:26).

7. The Family's Fight for Answers

• By 2011, only one detective was assigned full-time. The Kesse family had to sue for access to the case files—becoming the first Americans to win such a suit for an open case file (37:26–39:10).

• Quote:

  “I was stunned when we found out that they were the first to sue for these documents and win.” – Sarah (39:30)

• The files revealed years of investigative inactivity—no progress from 2012–2019.

8. Recent Developments and Ongoing Hope

• A tip about a potential carpet disposal related to construction work near her condo was investigated, but no evidence found (41:38–42:17).
• Case turned over to Florida Department of Law Enforcement’s cold case unit in 2022.
• Recent discovery: Untested DNA evidence was found in the case file in 2025, bringing renewed hope to the family (42:17–43:10).
• The most likely theory remains abduction by a worker at her complex.

9. Reflection: The Power of Details and Family Advocacy

• Both hosts emphasize how minuscule changes in routine, and the relentless advocacy of families, often make the difference in moving cold cases forward (44:02–45:32).
• Quote:

  “It’s the smallest piece of information leads to another…And that can lead to a big clue.” – Sarah (41:07)

• Sarah and Kourtney both share personally how access to case files was important for understanding and closure in their own families’ cases.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Overanalyzing Last Moments:

  “You go back and you think about those last moments…you always wish you did more, you said more, and especially loved them more.” – Sarah (10:44)

• On Law Enforcement’s Reluctance:

  “If you think something is wrong, it probably is. Speak with police immediately, don’t wait." – Kourtney (20:38)

• On Families Suing for Case Files:

  “I was stunned…They were the first to sue for these documents and win. So many families have tried and been denied…” – Sarah (39:30)

• On Technology and New Leads:

  “New ways to test forensic evidence, like genetic genealogy…there are also ways to test smaller samples while gathering more information on a suspect.” – Kourtney (43:35)

Key Timestamps

• 04:17–04:39: Hosts introduce their backgrounds and the podcast’s lens.
• 06:00–07:12: Jennifer’s background, independence, and cautious disposition.
• 10:04–10:44: The last phone call and emotional reflection on “final words.”
• 15:09–16:40: Jennifer’s last known morning—important details.
• 18:03–18:52: Family discovers Jennifer missing and launches the search.
• 22:16–22:47: Witness sees Jennifer’s car leave erratically.
• 23:10–25:22: Recovery of Jennifer’s car, review of evidence.
• 25:22–26:43: Surveillance video—potential suspect but no identification.
• 31:11–34:47: Harassment at the condo, human trafficking awareness.
• 37:26–39:10: Kesse family’s legal battle for the case file.
• 42:17–43:10: Untested DNA and advances in forensic technology.
• 44:02–45:32: Reflection on what keeps families going in the face of the unknown.

Call to Action

• Case Information:

  • Jennifer Kesse, now 44, disappeared January 24, 2006, from Orlando, FL.
  • Description: Sandy blond hair, 5'8/9, tattoo of a shamrock on right buttock, cleft chin, surgical scar inside left elbow.
  • Anyone with information should visit the Find Jennifer Kesse Facebook page or contact the FBI office.

• Support:

  • Kesse family’s GoFundMe and resource links are available via show notes and socials.

Episode Tone & Final Thoughts

The episode resonates with empathy and urgency, blending meticulous attention to detail with personal reflection and advocacy. The hosts stress the power of granular clues, the importance of not letting procedural delays stop families from pressing for answers, and the dogged pursuit that cold cases require. The disappearance of Jennifer Kesse is not just another unsolved mystery—it's a reflection on how vulnerability intersects with everyday life and how relentless family advocacy can keep hope alive.