Left and Center: Jennifer circa, 1987
Right: Age Progressed to age 42
Vital Statistics at Time of Disappearance
Missing Since: June 28, 1987
Missing From: Reno, Washoe County, Nevada
Classification: Non-Family Abduction
Date Of Birth: January 14, 1976
Age: 11 years old
Height and Weight: 4’6″ and 49 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: Caucasian Female, Brown hair, Blue eyes, Jennifer’s ears are pierced, she has a star shaped scar on the inside of her upper right arm, she has two hairline scars under her chin, Jennifer has several white bumps on her back as well as a “coffee stain” type birthmark on her right hip, Jennifer has facial freckles
Clothing/Jewelry Description: A gray/purple sweatshirt dress
NCMEC Number: 601816
Details of Disappearance
Jennifer Lee Martin was last seen on June 28th 1987 in Reno, Nevada as she left a 7-11 store that was located about 100 feet away from her home. She purchased candy and soda at the store and the clerk confirmed this and also stated he saw Jennifer leave the store and turn left.
Jennifer should’ve returned home in less then 5 minutes but she never came home. When 20 minutes passed, Jennifer’s parents sent her older brother to go and look for her at the store. He could not locate her. Jennifer has never been seen or heard from since.
Authorities treated Jennifer’s disappearance as an abduction immediately following her disappearance being reported. Authorities named two vehicles as possible abduction vehicles, one was a white colored pickup truck but it was eventually accounted for. Other witnesses stated they saw a light colored Toyota Corolla that has never been accounted for or identified.
Authorities do not know if the vehicle was involved in Jennifer’s kidnapping but authorities are certain that she was abducted. In 2002, a defrocked priest, Stephen Kiesle, was named as a possible suspect in Jennifer’s case and the 1983 abduction of Anthony Franko who vanished from the same area as Jennifer as well as the 1991 California abduction of Jaycee Lee Dugard.
Authorities searched his yard for evidence relating to Jennifer, Anthony, and Jaycees cases and the 1988 abduction of Amber Swartz-Garcia. They did not find anything substantial except for a bag of dirt and deteriorating clothing. The searches concluded in July of 2002. In 2009, Jaycee Dugard was found alive and her kidnappers were charged with her kidnapping.
At the time of Jennifer’s disappearance, she was described as an independent child who was cautious and knew not to get into a car with a stranger. Jennifer and her family originally lived in Clearwater, Florida but moved to Nevada 10 months prior to Jennifer’s disappearance and she seemed to be happy in her new home. Jennifer did not have a history of running away and authorities do not consider this. She also made sure to let her family know where she was going.
Jennifer’s case remains unsolved. While possible suspects have risen in the years, no one has been named as a prime suspect and no arrests have been made in Jennifer’s abduction. She has not been located.
Investigating Agency
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:
Washoe County Sheriffs Office 775-328-3001
Source Information
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children