Ep 11. Kimberly Kessler

Kimberly Kessler was a convicted felon who was alleged to have murdered a co-worker, Joleen Cummings, in June 2018. Kimberly worked at a hair salon where the victim had also worked, but she has been untraceable since the day of the crime. Joleen's disappearance had sent a shockwave across the community, and the search for her was in full swing.

The police had no leads to follow until a few days later when Kimberly was arrested in the neighboring county for driving without a license. Suspicious of her movements, the officers searched her vehicle and found the victim's belongings, which led them to believe that Kimberly was the last person to have seen Joleen before she vanished. After her questioning, Kimberly was charged with murder and held without bond.

In this episode of Snapped, the investigation into the disappearance of Joleen Cummings is chronicled, along with the manhunt for the person responsible for her murder. The show takes the viewers through the clues and evidence gathered by the police in their search for Joleen.

The case presented many challenges to the investigators. There was no body, and the killer was able to hide Joleen's car, making it difficult to pin-point where the crime had taken place. Moreover, the lack of witnesses or indications of a struggle, made it challenging to determine the motive for the murder.

Throughout the episode, there are interviews with the people involved in the case, including law enforcement officials, friends and family of Joleen, and acquaintances of Kimberly. The episode features Kimberly's past criminal records, which show a string of felonies, ranging from domestic violence to theft.

As the trial approaches, the prosecutor and defense lawyers lay out their arguments for the judges and the jury. The prosecution presents a compelling narrative of Kimberly's guilt. They argue that the evidence found in her vehicle, along with her criminal history, make her the most likely suspect. The defense, on the other hand, tries to show that the evidence was circumstantial and fails to identify a motive for the crime. Additionally, the defense claims that there were no eyewitnesses and the investigators had not identified a murder weapon.

The episode then delves into the verdict and the sentencing of Kimberly Kessler. Due to the lack of physical evidence, the trial was drawn out, and the verdict was not an easy one. However, eventually, the court finds Kimberly Kessler guilty, and she is sentenced to life imprisonment without parole.

The episode ends with interviews and reflections from the people involved in the case. The friends and family of Joleen express their sorrow and disbelief that such a senseless tragedy happened to their loved one. The investigators talk about the challenges of investigating such cases and the role of circumstantial evidence. The case leaves a lasting impression on the community, and the family of Joleen can finally get some closure after a long and harrowing ordeal.

Overall, the show provides a riveting account of Joleen Cummings's case, highlighting the many challenges that the investigators faced. The episode provides insight into the investigation of crime, from the collection of evidence to the presentation of arguments in court. Snapped's retelling of the case is both informative and engaging, making it a must-watch for all true-crime enthusiasts.