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Missing Florida woman Jennifer Kesse's father hopes for answers 18 years after disappearance: 'Blows my mind'

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Missing Florida woman Jennifer Kesse's father hopes for answers 18 years after disappearance: 'Blows my mind'


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Missing Florida woman Jennfier Kesse’s father, Drew Kesse, is still holding out hope he will find out what happened to his daughter 18 years after she vanished from her Orlando condo complex.

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Jennifer was last seen leaving Mosaic at Millenia for work Jan. 24, 2006, when she was 24 years old. She left her condo that morning with several outfit choices laid out on her bed. 

“We have great hope that we will someday locate Jennifer. And I hope it’s within my lifetime. I mean, I don’t have too much longer left,” Drew Kesse told Fox News Digital, 18 years after his daughter’s disappearance. 

“It blows my mind at this point,” he said of a lack of answers in the case, adding that he’s sure law enforcement is “trying their best,” but he’d like them to walk in his family’s “shoes for one year.”

MISSING JENNIFER KESSE’S FAMILY HOLDS OUT HOPE FOR POSSIBLE DNA EVIDENCE

Jennifer Kesse vanished from her Orlando, Fla., condo Jan. 24, 2006, when she was 24. (Find Jennifer Kesse)

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

Jennifer’s parents later sued the Orlando Police Department for thousands of records related to the case, which revealed police collected DNA in the car. The records also indicated the hood of Jennifer’s vehicle, which was covered in dust from the ongoing construction at her condo complex, showed signs of a struggle.

JENNIFER KESSE DISAPPEARANCE: NEWLY RELEASED POLICE PHOTOS SUGGEST VIOLENT STRUGGLE

The Florida Department of Law Enforcement took over the case in 2022. (Find Jennifer Kesse)

The complex allowed workers to stay in vacant condos while they were finishing construction, Fox News previously reported.

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The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) took over the case in November 2022, and the Kesse family continues to hold out hope for new testing of potential DNA evidence from Jennifer’s car, though they have not heard of any new developments.

Jennifer Kesse was living at Mosaic at Millenia, pictured above, in 2006. The property was undergoing a conversion from apartments to condominiums at the time of her disappearance.  (Fox News )

“We don’t even know right now … if they’ve sent in all the physical evidence for DNA testing,” Drew Kesse said.

Other significant evidence in Jennifer’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, where her car was found.

Jennifer Kesse’s colleagues reported her missing Jan. 24, 2006, because it was unlike her not to call if she was going to miss a day, Gilmour said. (Find Jennifer Kesse)

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“An unidentified person of interest and possible suspect was photographed parking Jennifer Kesse’s vehicle and walking away. The unidentified person was approximately 5-foot-3 to 5-foot-5 and was wearing white clothes similar to a painter or a manual worker,” a missing persons flyer from the FDLE says. “Prior to Kesse’s disappearance, she had complained about some construction workers that were working on her apartment complex and were making her uneasy.”

JENNIFER KESSE DISAPPEARANCE: FAMILY SAYS IT’S ‘CLOSE’ TO ANSWERS IN THE 15-YEAR-OLD COLD CASE

It remains unclear 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 her job at Westgate Resorts in Ocoee.

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

Her colleagues reported her missing that same day because it was unlike her not to show up for work.

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“It’s easy as the father of a missing child to say, but we as Americans, we have to start caring more about ourselves.”

— Drew Kesse

“What I see in America today is the total breakdown of family,” Drew Kesse said when asked if he has a message for the public. “If we don’t start loving ourselves, first and foremost, so we can learn to love other people, such as our wives, our husbands, our children, and then our community, our country — it’s what we need. It’s what made this country the greatest nation on Earth.”

LISTEN TO HOUSE OF BROKEN DREAMS: THE JENNIFER KESSE STORY

He added that the case is “more than just Jennifer.”

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“It’s our culture and our nature right now.”

Kesse’s family still does not know 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. (Find Jennifer Kesse)

Drew and Jennifer’s mother, Joyce Kesse, have been married 45 years with their two children and now grandchildren. He emphasized his belief that the well-being of the country depends on parents loving and guiding their children.

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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.”

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Anyone with information about Jennifer’s disappearance is asked to contact the “Find Jennifer Kesse” Facebook page or the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) at 1-888-FL-MISSING (1-888-356-4774). 



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Governor candidate says he’s banned from all Waffle Houses in Florida

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Governor candidate says he’s banned from all Waffle Houses in Florida


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A Florida Republican gubernatorial candidate has taken his grievances to social media, claiming that Waffle House has banned him from its locations across the state.

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James Fishback, who is running to succeed fellow Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis as the next governor, said that the restaurant chain criminally trespassed on him and his team from all of its locations in Florida after he told his followers on the “Tucker Carlson Show” in January that he’d be touring every Waffle House across the state to speak to voters.

At the time of his announcement, Fishback, 31, said Waffle House allowed him to do just that.

However, on March 4, Waffle House “abruptly revoked our permission,” Fishback said, adding, “I am disappointed in Waffle House’s decision, especially since they had given us explicit permission to visit their restaurants just 3 weeks ago.”

Before Waffle House’s decision, Fishback had visited locations in Madison, St. Pete, Bonifay, Marianna and Jacksonville.

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In an email to USA TODAY on March 11, Fishback confirmed that his permission was still revoked. USA TODAY emailed Waffle House on Wednesday, but has not received a response.

Fishback said he’d be fighting the decision by launching his own version of a Waffle House called the “Fishback Waffle Home,” a no-cost, pop-up restaurant coming to select cities in Florida to “keep meeting voters over hot coffee and warm waffles.”

“I want to thank the Waffle House staff who greeted me and our supporters, with warmth, kindness and awesome food,” Fishback wrote in the statement.

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Florida gubernatorial election

Florida will elect its next governor on Nov. 3. DeSantis cannot run for the office again because the state’s constitution limits governors to serving two consecutive terms.

The primary will be held Aug. 18, in which residents will select their candidates for the general election.

There are 41 candidates in the election, including U.S. Congressman Byron Donalds, Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Former Florida House Speaker Paul Renner, Former U.S. Congressman David Jolly and Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, according to a report by Maxon-Dixon Polling and Strategy and the Tallahassee Democrat, part of the USA TODAY Network.

According to the Tallahassee Democrat, Fishback is the second favorite for the Republican nomination. He’s currently behind Republican frontrunner U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds.

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Fishback is a former investor and hedge fund manager who was born in Davie, about 28 miles from Miami.

He notably suggested to President Donald Trump and Elon Musk that they should issue “DOGE Dividends,” which would be paid to Americans using funds the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) saved. The agency has since been dissolved.

Contributing: C.A. Bridges, Tallahassee Democrat

Michelle Del Rey is a trending news reporter at USA TODAY. Reach her at mdelrey@usatoday.com



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Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for $25M

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Collier County’s most expensive home sold in February sold for M


These are the Top 10 most expensive homes sold in Collier County in February.

Data provided by: Royal Shell Real Estate.

1. 4115 Cutlass Lane, Naples

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List price: $28,750,000

Sold price: $25,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,291 square feet

Year built: 2022

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Days on market: 355

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock/Lift, Jet Ski Lift, Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen/Shower

View: Basin

2. 1365 Spyglass Lane, Naples

List price: $21,500,000

Sold price: $19,950,000

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Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

Size: 6,736 square feet

Year built: 2023

Days on market: 76

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

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View: Bay

3. 600 Galleon Drive, Naples

List price: $19,995,000

Sold price: $18,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: Port Royal

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Size: 7,195 square feet

Year built: 2002

Days on market: 104

Amenities: Bayfront, Boat Dock, Tennis Court, Private Pool, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Bay

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4. 1818 6th Street S., Naples

List price: $19,495,000

Sold price: $18,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Aqualane Shores

Size: 6,305 square feet

Year built: 2025

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Days on market: 0

Amenities: Gulf Access, Boat Dock, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Deck, Outdoor Kitchen/Shower

View: Canal

5. 1640 Dolphin Court, Naples

List price: $15,995,000

Sold price: $15,150,000

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Neighborhood/Development: Royal Harbor

Size: 6,500 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 65

Amenities: Bayfront, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Gas Fire Pit/Grill, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

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View: Bay

6. 1040 2nd Street S., Naples

List price: $13,495,000

Sold price: $12,000,000

Neighborhood/Development: Olde Naples

Size: 5,486 square feet

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Year built: 2020

Days on market: 20

Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill

View: Landscaped Area

7. 436 Putter Point Court, Naples

List price: $10,900,000

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Sold price: $10,100,000

Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 5,156 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 62

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Amenities: Private Pool/Spa, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Landscaped Area

8. 16961 Sud Cortile Court, Naples

List price: $7,897,000

Sold price: $7,650,000

Neighborhood/Development: Mediterra

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Size: 5,128 square feet

Year built: 2015

Days on market: 49

Amenities: Lakefront, Beach Access, Clubhouse, Community Pool, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

View: Golf Course, Lake

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9. 2900 Indigobush Way, Naples

List price: $7,750,000

Sold price: $7,625,000

Neighborhood/Development: Grey Oaks

Size: 6,605 square feet

Year built: 2000

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Days on market: 93

Amenities: Clubhouse, Community Pool/Spa, Concierge Services, Golf Course, Lap Pool, Private Membership, Putting Green, Sauna, Tennis Court, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Outdoor Kitchen

View: Golf Course

10. 424 Spinnaker Drive, Naples

List price: $7,250,000

Sold price: $6,825,000

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Neighborhood/Development: The Moorings

Size: 4,724 square feet

Year built: 2025

Days on market: 59

Amenities: Beach Access, Private Pool/Spa, Built-In Grill, Courtyard, Deck, Fence, Outdoor Fireplace/Kitchen

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View: Landscaped Area

Please support local community journalism and stay informed about Southwest Florida news by subscribing to The News-Press and Naples Daily News; download the free News-Press or Naples Daily News app, and sign up for daily briefing email newsletter, food & dining and growth & development newsletters here.



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Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say

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Florida woman confesses to stabbing 76-year-old roommate to death, authorities say


A Florida woman confessed to stabbing her 76-year-old roommate to death before covering his body with a tarp, stealing his truck and driving away from the scene, according to authorities.

The Charlotte County Sheriff’s Office identified the suspect as Shannon R. Giblin, 48.

Shannon R. Giblin (Photo: Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office)

In a news release, the sheriff’s office said deputies were dispatched to a home on Sunday after they received a report about a person who was not breathing. When they arrived at the home, they found a man, later identified as Paul De Wayne Bradley, who was dead.

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Police said they tracked Giblin down in Bradley’s truck, which was missing from the driveway, in Sarasota County.

“As Charlotte County detectives questioned Giblin, she provided a confession to stabbing Bradley following an argument,” Sheriff Bill Prummell said in the release.

“After realizing that the victim was beyond help, Giblin then covered Bradley with a tarp and left the scene in the victim’s pickup truck,” Prummell added.

Online jail records show Giblin was charged with second-degree murder, as well as grand theft of a motor vehicle.

“I want to recognize my Major Crimes detectives who worked this case through the night and identified the suspect quickly,” Prummell said. “They truly show a dedication to their craft and the results are irrefutable. I also want to thank the Sarasota County Sheriff’s Office for their quick actions in locating and detaining her based on the intelligence my team was able to share. As I have always said, Southwest Florida is fortunate to have law enforcement who work together so effectively for the people we serve.”

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Giblin is being held without bond, according to the release.



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