Ep 6. New Hope In Orlando

In Up and Vanished season 2 episode 6, titled "New Hope in Orlando," the podcast investigates the disappearance of Jennifer Kesse, a 24-year-old woman who vanished from her Orlando condominium in 2006. Host Payne Lindsey interviews Kesse's family, friends, and colleagues, as well as law enforcement officials involved in the case, and delves into the details of her last known movements.

Lindsey begins by tracing Kesse's timeline leading up to her disappearance. On January 24, 2006, Kesse called her boyfriend from her condo to say goodnight, and the next morning, she failed to show up for work. Her family and friends became concerned and contacted the police. When investigators arrived at her condo, they found no signs of a struggle, and her car was still parked in the complex's parking lot. Kesse's keys, wallet, and cell phone were missing, and her front door had been locked from the outside with her deadbolt, indicating that she had likely been abducted.

Lindsey talks to Kesse's parents, Joyce and Drew, who describe their disbelief and frustration at the lack of progress in the investigation. They also discuss their efforts to keep their daughter's case in the public eye, including creating a website and holding a press conference. Lindsey also interviews Kesse's co-workers, who describe her as a diligent and professional manager who was well-liked by her staff.

Lindsey then turns his attention to the police investigation, which has been ongoing for over a decade. He talks to Detective Joel Wright, who was assigned to the case in 2011, and who describes the challenges of investigating a case with so few leads. Wright notes that the investigation has focused on a handful of suspects, but none of them have been definitively linked to Kesse's disappearance.

Despite the lack of progress, Lindsey uncovers some new leads that could potentially shed light on the case. He talks to private investigator Eric Westphal, who has been working on the case for several years and who believes that Kesse was abducted by someone she knew. Westphal identifies a few individuals who he believes could be involved, and Lindsey investigates their backgrounds and potential motivations.

One of the most promising leads comes from a tip received by Kesse's family. A woman contacted them claiming that she had seen Kesse's car being parked at a nearby apartment complex on the day after she disappeared. The woman provided a detailed description of the driver, and Kesse's family passed the information along to the police. Lindsey interviews the woman, who is now living out of state, and tries to determine whether her story is credible.

As the episode progresses, Lindsey builds a compelling case for what may have happened to Kesse. He pieces together the timeline of events leading up to her disappearance, explores the possible motives of the individuals involved, and examines the potential evidence that may exist. Ultimately, though, the fate of Jennifer Kesse remains a mystery, and the podcast leaves listeners with more questions than answers.

Overall, "New Hope in Orlando" is a riveting episode that will keep listeners on the edge of their seats. Lindsey's dogged pursuit of the truth is impressive, and his interviews with Kesse's family and colleagues provide insight into the impact that her disappearance has had on their lives. While the episode does not offer any concrete resolution to the case, it highlights the ongoing efforts to uncover the truth and brings attention to a woman whose story deserves to be told.