Missing Woman: Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson--TX--07/13/2004

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2046775

7/15/04
Authorities Asking for Your Help In Locating Missing Lubbock Woman

The Sheriff's Department released the woman's name and picture late Thursday afternoon and they're asking for your help in locating her.

On Thursday, the Sheriff's Office released information on missing person Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson. She's described as 26-years-old, with a small build, brown hair and blue eyes. She also has several tattoos throughout her body.
Wilkerson was last seen on Tuesday at a friend's house in south Lubbock County. Her father reported her missing Wednesday night which has prompted this investigation. At this point investigators do not suspect foul play is involved, but it is still early in the investigation.

"During our initial investigation a lot of times we can uncover information to immediately locate people and in this instance we weren't able to do that so we're going to go out and let the public help us out in this effort," explains Cody Scott from the Sheriff's Department.

If you have any information on Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson's whereabouts you're encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at (806) 775-1501.

Print a poster: http://www.projectjason.org/aan/AAN_JenniferWilkerson.pdf

[Kathylene]

http://www.klbk.com/news/default.asp...hownews&id=351

Lubbock Woman Missing

Another person has turned up missing in Lubbock County.

Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson, 26, was last seen Tuesday morning at a friend`s home in south Lubbock County.

The details surrounding her disappearance are vague. Right now, sheriff`s deputies just consider her a missing person and they`re looking for any details that might lead them to her whereabouts.

She was reported missing on Wednesday. "The initial report came in from her dad that she was missing," says Lieutenant Cody Scott, with the Lubbock County Sheriff`s Office. "He was concerned, so we initiated the investigation."

Little has been revealed about where Jennifer lives or who she was last seen with. "This investigation is just beginning," says Lieutenant Scott. "There`s a lot of information we`re going to withold at this time until we get the case built up a little bit more."

Authorities say lack of information is what prompted them to declare Jennifer a missing person in the first place. "During our initial investigation a lot of times we can recover information to immediately locate people, and in this instance we were not able to do that...so we`re going to go out and let the public help us out in this effort," says Lieutenant Scott.

Wilkerson is described at 5 feet 5 inches tall with a slim build. She has short brown hair with blue eyes. She has tattoos on her left shoulder, left lower abdomen, right wrist and right ankle. She also has a lower lip piercing.

If you have any information on the disappearance of Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson, you are urged to call the Lubbock County Sheriff`s Office at 775-1601.

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2060798

7/19/04
Missing Woman's Parents Ask for Help

"I'm really at a loss for what to say. I never imagined being in this position," said Jack Wilkerson, a father in distress. His 26-year-old daughter has been missing for a week. "We don't know what's happened to Jennifer," he said.

Missing under suspicious circumstances, believed to be in danger, authorities are investigating Jennifer Wilkerson's case as an abduction, but have yet to disclose if there's any physical evidence surrounding her disappearance. "I can't say at this time," said Lubbock County Sheriff's officer Greg Parrott. They've been fielding calls and following leads. "We do have a number of individuals that we are talking to at this time," Parrott said.

Three months ago NewsChannel 11 interviewed Jennifer for a story about the sin tax proposal. She was helpful, outgoing, engaging. The very characteristics that have made her absence so alarming. "So out of character not to be in contact with us. She had already made tentative plans to visit with us last weekend," said Jack Wilkerson.

Authorities are expected to hold a press conference Tuesday, July 20th, to provide further details about the investigation.
If you have any information, call the Sheriff's Department at (806) 775-1601.

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp...8&nav=CcXHP64u

Volunteers Needed for Missing Persons

Authorities will expand the search for a missing Lubbock woman with the help of community volunteers.

Jennifer Wilkerson has been missing for nine days now. And as more time passes, the chance that Jennifer is somewhere against her will increases. So now the Sheriff's Department wants to broaden their search, with your help.

More than 500 people showed up to assist in a foot search for Joanna Rogers just a few months ago and now, the Sheriff's Department is turning to the community again and hoping for the same response.

"This weekend we are coordinating a search with an organization, United Response Search and Rescue. They are assisting in a massive ground search, we have some areas of interest that we need help searching. Not only for Jennifer, but also for Joanna Rogers. We want to combine the efforts and utilize the resources that have been so generously provided by our community and that is people," said Sgt. Greg Parrott.

Sgt. Parrott, says at this time there are no links between the two cases, other than the fact that it's two girls from south Lubbock County. Sgt. Parrott and Lt. Cody Scott are both working around the clock interviewing anyone that was a part of Jennifer's life, and while all are cooperating, they say all the clues aren't coming in.

"At this point we're still exploring a number of leads that have come in from the community. However we still haven't received the call from that right person who knows where she is or what has happened to her," said Sgt. Parrott.

The Sheriff's Department has already searched by foot and air the area around Jennifer's house, but now they need your help.

Volunteers are needed this Saturday starting at 8am. The search headquarters will be at Cooper High school off of the Tahoka Highway and Woodrow Road. All volunteers must be over 16 years of age, and officials recommend you wear long pants and plenty of sunscreen, and bring water to stay hydrated.

26-year-old Jennifer Wilkerson is about 5’5” and weighs 110 pounds. She has brownish red hair, blue eyes and several tattoos. 16-year-old Joanna Rogers is also 5’5”. Joanna weighs about 125 pounds and has red hair and hazel eyes. There is also a $15,000 reward for information leading to Joanna’s return.

Once again, if you have any information on either disappearance, you are asked to call the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office at 775-1601

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2084786

7/24/04
The Search For Jennifer & Joanna

It's the second weekend into the investigation of missing woman Jennifer Wilkerson. The Lubbock County Sheriff's Department has called upon the community today to help search for clues on the disappearance of Wilkerson and that of Joanna Rogers who's been missing since May 4th.

"We're going to be looking for a body, as sad as that is we're going to be looking for a body," explains an organizer of the search.

As disturbing as it may sound, the search for Jennifer Wilkerson and Joanna Rogers has become a grim reality: two families and a community on the hunt for clues to where these two women may be.

"I just hope we don't find anything bad today but it's better than not knowing," sais Wilkerson's oldest sister, Michelle who drove in from New Mexico. She has been waiting patiently for answers, but now she's ready to join the search. "It's just waiting everyday waking up not knowing, I want to know something," she says.

Meanwhile, her family tries to stay strong through the search, grateful that the Lubbock community has been so responsive in their daughter's case. "It just makes you realize what a great world we do have, there's bad parts but these are strangers who came out to help, it's pretty wonderful," says Jackie, Jennifer's mother.

"We didn't realize how big a family we had until the last week and a half, it's been just amazing," adds Jennifer's father, Jack. He searches along with friends and strangers working diligently.

"She's touched so many people's lives and hearts as far as even not being there anymore so many people remember her because she was so loving and so special," says Natasha Bruton, friend and volunteer.

Joe Bill, father of Joanna Rogers, a man who is no stranger to missing a loved one, rallies side by side with the Wilkerson family in search of their children. "Well, we're here again and we're going to look again and maybe today will be the day that we'll find our girls," he says as he partakes in this organized effort.

Sergeant Greg Parrott says this search utilizes resources the community provides, by adding additional manpower to scour over areas that will strengthen the investigation, in more ways that one. "We will reach out and be able to touch that special person that knows something and just needs to come forward and tell us where the girls are at," he explains.

"This is nice you know, everybody pulling together and helping somebody they don't even know," adds Michelle.

Right now, investigators are asking for your help in locating a suspicious vehicle seen in Wilkerson's neighborhood a day before her disappearance. The vehicle is described as a small black pick up. The pick up is low rider style, which means it sits very low on the ground. It could also be equipped with hydraulics. The truck also has wheels with a smooth center cap. It is also believed to have decals on the rear window, and may have license plates from out of state. If you spot a vehicle with this description, you are urged to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately at 775-1480 .

[Kathylene]

http://www.lubbockonline.com/stories...72504041.shtml

Story last updated at 5:40 a.m. Sunday, July 25, 2004
Extensive search fails to find missing women
BY KELLIE TOLBERT
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL


The search for Jennifer Wilkerson and Joanna Rogers on Saturday did not uncover any new information but did cover a vast area of Lubbock.

The United Response Search and Rescue Team, the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office and many volunteers from throughout Lubbock searched the southern part of Lubbock County and some parts of the city.

Close to 200 volunteers lent their time and effort to the search for Joanna, 16, and Wilkerson, 26, according to Dana Ames, director of operations for the search team.

"We sent large teams into grocery stores, gas stations and places where kids hang out to hand out fliers of both girls," Ames said.

The search on Saturday covered more area than a May search for Joanna, Ames said.

The search team and the Sheriff's Office will continue their search on Sunday but without public volunteers.

"We will continue to apply pressure into the right places and the public volunteers will stay in touch with us and keep a look out for the missing girls," Ames said.

Ames said she believes the Sheriff's Office will not quit until they find Wilkerson and Joanna. Officials said there is no information at this time to indicate that the two incidents are related.

Sgt. Greg Parrott, of the Sheriff's Office, said the reward for information leading to the return of Wilkerson equals about $6,000 so far.

Wilkerson has been missing since July 13. She is slim, 5 feet 5 inches tall, with short brown hair that has a red tint. She has several tattoos.

Joanna has been missing since May 4 with an Amber Alert issued on May 6. She is 5 feet 5 inches tall, weighs 125 pounds and has long red hair. A $15,000 reward is being offered for information leading to her return.

To report information on the whereabouts of Wilkerson or Joanna, call (806) 775-1601.

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2086815

7/25/04
Investigation Update of Missing Woman Jennifer Wilkerson

Sunday's wet weather dampened the efforts of the Lubbock County Sheriff's Department. A special crew was scheduled to continue the search for missing woman Jennifer Wilkerson, but it was cancelled due to the rainy conditions.

However, the crews will continue Monday. It's the second weekend of the search for the 26 year-old.

More than 200 people participated in Saturday's organized search, but investigators have not released any new information that was discovered. Right now, they are asking for your help in locating a suspicious vehicle seen in Wilkerson's neighborhood a day before her disappearance.

The vehicle is described as a small black pick-up truck. The pick-up is low rider style, which means it sits very low on the ground. It could also be equipped with hydraulics. The truck also has wheels with a smooth center cap.

The vehicle is also believed to have decals on the rear window and may have license plates from out of state. If you spot a vehicle with this description, you are urged to contact the Sheriff's Office immediately at (806) 775-1480.

[Kathylene]

Jennifer's family now has their own website. You can see it here:

http://www.findjenniferwilkerson.wagls.com/

Please consider helping by printing up any one of the available posters as mnetioned above. Pray for Jennifer and her family.

Thank you.

[Kathylene]

www.teamamberalert.net/ne...e&sid=3188
Still Missing Jennifer Wilkerson Lubbock Tx

The Lubbock County Sheriff's Office is searching for a 26-year-old woman, Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson, missing under suspicious circumstances, believed to be in danger.

She was last seen Tuesday morning, July 13, in the 2400 block of 118th St. Her boyfriend told deputies that Wilkerson was driving home from that location and then to work at Nothin' Butt Smokes. Wilkerson made it home; however she did not report to work.

She also never called her employer or picked up her last paycheck, the Sheriff's Office said. Her father, Jack Wilkerson of Hobbs, NM reported her missing Wednesday afternoon, after he failed to locate her. When sheriff's deputies arrived at her home in South Lubbock County, they found Wilkerson's car and two sets of house and car keys hanging on a hook just inside the door.

Her roommate was also contacted, but said that he had not seen or heard from her. Authorities are investigating Jennifer Wilkerson's case as an abduction, but have yet to disclose if there's any physical evidence surrounding her disappearance.

"I can't say at this time," said Lubbock County Sheriff's officer Greg Parrott. They've been fielding calls and following leads.

Jennifer was last seen wearing a red halter top, blue capri pants and black flip-flops. She has several tattoos: a small ladybug on the right rear of her neck, a dragon that wraps around her right ankle, a red rose with a small snake wound around the stem on her upper left arm, a butterfly on her back, roses on her right wrist, a fish on her stomach, a tattoo around her left leg and she wears a lip ring.

You Can Visit her Web At.

www.findjenniferwilkerson.wagls.com

If you have information regarding the whereabouts of Jennifer Wilkerson, please contact the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office at 1-806-775-1601 or 1-806-775-1604 You can call anonymously 1-800-843-5678 (1-800-THE-LOST) .. .. . If you see Jennifer, please call 911 or your local law enforcement agency immediately

[Kathylene]

Project Jason announces that Jennifer Wilkerson is the current 18 Wheel Angel campaign. Her campaign will continue through September 15th.

18 Wheel Angels is a national missing person's locator program in which truck drivers or other business travelers are recruited to place posters of a specific missing person along the way as they travel.

For additional information, please see:

http://www.projectjason.org/18wheel.shtml

You do not need to be a truck driver to help please posters. YOu can also help by telling any truck drivers or trucking companies you know about this program.

Thank you.

Kelly Jolkowski, Mother of Missing Jason Jolkowski
President and Founder,
Project Jason
www.projectjason.org

[Kathylene]

Sunday, October 17, 2004

Amid the agony, parents cling to hope

BY JASON WOMACK
AVALANCHE-JOURNAL



Jack Wilkerson's favorite picture of his daughter Jennifer now adorns the hundreds of white paper fliers that dot the windows of truck stops, gas stations and restaurants in Lubbock and along highways that feed into the city. Emblazoned above the image is one word: missing.

The photograph shows his daughter, now 26, peering out from under a hood in the dim twilight hours of a Colorado evening. She balls her fists and holds them close to her face to fight off the cold. Although she is shrouded in white, her smile is the brightest thing in the picture.

Jennifer Wilkerson Her parents have not seen that smile or heard her voice since she vanished from her south Lubbock County home more than three months ago.

Jennifer Wilkerson's July 13 disappearance sparked the second missing person investigation by the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office in a year. Joanna Rogers, 17, also vanished from her family's home May 4.

"This is Lubbock. This isn't Dallas, Houston or Austin. We've had two girls disappear in 10 weeks," Joanna's father, Joe Bill Rogers said. "That shakes the community."

The disappearances of Jennifer and Joanna have sparked f ruitless foot searches of the areas surrounding the homes of both women. The Sheriff's Office, working with a team of forensic divers, even searched Buffalo Springs Lake to no avail.

Despite significant rewards being offered for information leading to the return of the women, the investigations have yet to turn up any solid information leading to their locations, said Sgt. Greg Parrott with the Sheriff's Office.

Parrott, who supervises both investigations, spends every hour of his workday in a concentrated effort to find the women.

"We've taken extraordinary measures to follow up on every lead and even the slightest hunch," he said. "We do feel these cases will be solved, and they will be solved soon."

The Sheriff's Office does not believe the disappearances are related.

The parents of both women said the Sheriff's Office is doing everything it can to locate their daughters. As the search for the women continues, the families are growing desperate for information and struggling to answer the questions that haunt their thoughts.

The Wilkersons live moment to moment. They continue to go to work and live their lives. However, every reminder of their daughter can summon a flood of emotion.

"I can't drive by a softball game without seeing her slide into third base," Jack Wilkerson said.

He and his daughter shared a love of books and music. During her visits to the Wilkersons' home in Hobbs, N.M., they would retreat to his library to play songs for one another.

During lightning storms, they would head to the country to listen to music and watch the flashes of light streak across the New Mexico sky.

"She is also my best friend," he said of his daughter, who he described as fiercely independent.

Jennifer is always in her parents' thoughts. She enters their minds in the morning and she's with them when they fall asleep.

"It's like a nightmare you can't wake up from" said Vikki Wilkerson, Jennifer's mother.

Vikki Wilkerson's most difficult days are Tuesdays, the day her daughter disappeared. She struggles through the others.

"I think I'm walking insanity," she said.

At times she feels fine, but a conversation or memory can destroy her. She remembers a talk with a co-worker where she inadvertently began imitating her daughter's "little heh heh heh" laugh. She fell apart, moving from laughter to tears.

Common rituals try both families. Trips to the grocery store are now complicated endeavors.

Vikki Wilkerson said she tells people she is "fine."

"But we won't be fine until Jennifer comes home," she said.

Joanna's mother, Kathryn Rogers, says people now withdraw from her family.

"We're a constant reminder that life is not always good or fair," she said.

She said they rarely go to restaurants or even watch television.

Both families pray for their daughters to return safely.

"All I have to hold on to is my faith, and until somebody gives me something else, I'm going to hold onto that," Jack Wilkerson said.

[Kathylene]

Lubbock Sheriff's Office Continues Search For Missing Women

www.kcbd.com


Saturday marks six months since an Amber Alert was issued for a Lubbock teenager.

Information about Joanna Rodgers continues to trickle into the Lubbock Sheriff's Department. So far, they say there are no legitimate leads. The now 17-year-old is 5-feet, 5-inches tall and has red hair and hazel eyes.

Deputies also have no leads in the July disappearance of Jennifer Wilkerson. The 26-year-old is 5-feet, 5-inches tall with brownish red hair, blue eyes and several tattoos.

Call the Lubbock County Sheriff's Office at (806) 775-1601 if you have any information on either disappearance.

[Kathylene]

"America's Most Wanted" to Air Piece on Missing Lubbock Girl

Posted December 09 2004
kcbd.com

Ten million viewers across the country will see 16-year-old Joanna Rogers on the television show "America's Most Wanted." Rogers was reported missing May 4th, 2004. The Lubbock County Sheriff's Department hasn't received any promising leads, but they hope the exposure will help.

Links to Joanna Rogers/Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson Websites:

Joanna Rogers:
http://members.cox.net/bringjohome/...gers_Info1.html

Jennifer Wilkerson:
http://www.findjenniferwilkerson.wagls.com/

On Saturday, December 11th, Americas Most Wanted will air a short 15 to 20 second piece on Joanna. The show has had a large impact since it started in 1988. It's helped find 46 missing persons and 816 fugitives.

The Sheriff's Department also received a tip in the investigation of Jennifer Wilkerson, who's been missing since July. Her investigating officer received a call Tuesday, December 7th. Based on information from that call they'll do another search at a few locations in Lubbock. Thursday, December 9th was Jennifer's 27th birthday.

The sheriff's department wants you to call them at (806) 775-1601 if you have any information on either of these cases.

http://www.kcbd.com/

[Kathylene]

http://www.kcbd.com/Global/story.asp?S=2681191

12/11/04
Search Continues While Friends Remember Jennifer Wilkerson

It's been almost six months since the disappearance of 27 year-old Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson. Since then the Lubbock County Sheriff's Department has followed several leads that have all come to a dead end. Saturday, one lead brought them to a piece of property in Northwest Lubbock. The search began early this morning, members of the Sheriff's department found no evidence that could be linked to the disappearance of Wilkerson, but still Sergeant Greg Parrott says they are getting closer each day.

"Every day we receive something, something new something different that leads us in hopefully a positive direction and we feel that we are going to have resolution in this case very soon," says Sgt. Parrott.

It was through witness interviews the Sheriff's Department decided to search this field in Northwest Lubbock on Saturday. It was a search that like the previous ones came to a dead end. Still Sgt. Parrott remains positive.

"We've come out to several of those locations and have been conducting searches of those areas. If nothing else we've been able to rule out some properties," says Sgt. Parrott.

In the meantime friends and family wait for Wilkerson's return or for at least a sense of closure.

"It's just weird nothing nothing fits together. Once things start fitting together then something else comes up that just makes it all, it's just crazy," says Jessica Bullock, Wilkerson's roommate.

Bullock says Wilkerson was the type to drop everything when she knew a friend needed help.

"If I was having a problem, she would make me laugh and if she was having a problem I'd make her laugh and hearing her laugh would make me laugh. I wish she'd come back," says Bullock.

Bullock says the circumstances surrounding Wilkerson's disappearance is what is most peculiar. Wilkerson left her purse, wallet, cell phone and house keys. In fact not a single one of her things vanished along with her.

"She was getting paid the next day she never picked up her paycheck. Just everything that she would have done she didn't do," says Bullock.

Bullock believes that somehow, somewhere Wilkerson left a clue.

"Her favorite show was CSI so if anything happened to her she'll do something for us to find her. I mean it's Jennifer something will come up she's smart enough," says Bullock.

For now all friends and family can do is pray and wait, while the sheriff's department works to discover the clue that many believe Wilkerson could have left behind.

If you have any information regarding the disappearance of Jennifer Lynn Wilkerson, you're encouraged to call the Sheriff's Office at 775-1601 . All callers will remain anonymous.

[Kathylene]

An update from the family website:

"April 12, 2005
Jen has been missing now for 9 months the 13th of this month and so far there has been no news as to what has happened. The Sheriff's department continues to follow every little lead that comes their way. Dana and Sheila with the United Response and Rescue team are also continuing to follow leads. These two groups of people have been wonderful and diligent in their efforts to bring Jen home. It has made the most difficult time in our lives bearable, knowing that such good people are on our side and doing everything in their power to bring our daughter home to us. I wish with all my heart that we could give you some real concrete news but as of today we are all still looking, praying, and hoping that we will find her safe and bring her home.
Thanks to everyone for the continued support and prayers.
Sincerely, Vikki, Jack, and family "