Jennifer Lee Hampton, 21 - Missing - Knoxville, Tenn.

[odette]

By Bernie Delinski - Staff Writer - Monday, September 22, 2008

Link » Florence woman missing in Tennessee

. .
. . Jennifer Lee Hampton

Knoxville, Tenn., authorities fear foul play could be involved in a case involving a Florence woman who has been missing since Friday night.

Jennifer Lee Hampton, 21, was last seen Friday night at the Days Inn in Knoxville, according to reports.

Hampton, who works at Mama Blue's restaurant in Florence, had been with a team of coworkers in Knoxville to help train employees for the opening of a Mama Blues in that city.

They were staying at the Days Inn.

Jim Lewis, who operates the Florence restaurant, said he, Hampton and the crew had been in Knoxville since Tuesday and opened the restaurant Friday.

An employee last saw her around 9:30 p.m. Friday, Lewis said. He said she had sent text messages to family and friends as late as 10:39 p.m.

Lewis said they would meet at the Days Inn parking lot each morning and head to work. He called an employee Saturday morning and said he'd be a few minutes late. That's when the worker told him Hampton hadn't shown up. Lewis called the front desk and asked if someone could check on her.

A Days Inn worker checked the room and said nobody was in there, but it looked as though it had been slept in, Lewis said. So, they called the police.

"An officer checked it out and said he didn't like the way things looked," Lewis said.

The officer contacted an investigator and police have been on the case since.

Lewis made arrangements for Hampton's family to come to Knoxville. He said police have set up a command center at the hotel. They sent a helicopter up Sunday to search the area and have additional searches planned today.

They collected evidence and gave it to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Lewis said.

"The Knoxville Police Department is doing an outstanding job," he said.

"They are putting all their resources behind this."

Mama Blues employees and friends of Hampton's say her cell phone and purse still were in the room Saturday morning. They said she never goes anywhere without her phone.

Reports from Knoxville media outlets state Hampton's keys, money and vehicle also were at the hotel.

The reports indicate Hampton is about 5-foot-3 and weighs around 110 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.

The Knoxville department's Search and Recovery Team is involved in the investigation, according to reports.

They have searched the area on and near the hotel's location on Lovell Road.

Anyone with information is asked to call local authorities or Knoxville police at (865) 215-7014.

[odette]

News Sentinel staff - Updated 09:27 a.m., September 22, 2008

Link » Search expands for missing woman from Alabama

. . . . .
. . . . . Jennifer Lee Hampton

Emergency personnel this morning launched a grid search in the Turkey Creek area trying to locate a 21-year-old Alabama woman missing since Friday night.

Jennifer Lee Hampton, 21, was last seen at about 9 p.m. Friday at the Days Inn on Lovell Road, according to Darrell DeBusk, Knoxville Police Department public information officer. KPD investigators have recovered evidence indicating that Hampton might have been the victim of foul play, DeBusk said.

DeBusk this morning declined to say what has prompted police to suspect foul play in Hampton's disappearance.

Up to five dozen people this morning fanned out in the wooded area between the Days Inn and the Turkey Creek development, DeBusk said this morning.

He said police and members of the KPD police recruit class are engaged in the search.

Hampton, of Florence, Ala., is 5 feet, 3 inches tall, weighs 110 pounds, and has a thin build. She has brown hair and brown eyes, said police. Police ask that anyone who may have seen Hampton or witnessed any unusual activity around the Lovell Road area late Friday night or Saturday to call investigators at 865-215-7014.

More details as they develop online and in Tuesday's News Sentinel.

[odette]

farragutpress.com - Heather Mays - Mon, Sep, 22, 2008

Link » Search for missing woman continues

KPD and TBI team up to find missing Alabama woman

Jennifer Lee Hampton, a 21-year-old Florence, Ala. woman, disappeared from the Day’s Inn off Lovell Road Friday night.

Hampton and three coworkers were in town to train new employees of Mama Blues Buffet.

Hampton, staying in room 146, was last seen around 9 p.m.

According to Knoxville Police Department Public Information Officer Darryl Debusk, officers have found evidence to suggest Hampton was a victim of foul play.

“We discovered some evidence on Saturday that would indicate that it’s possible that she has been a victim of foul play.”

Debusk could not say what evidence KPD had found, but did correct a rumor KPD had recovered her vehicle and purse.

“There was some erroneous information put out by one of the local media outlets that we had recovered her purse and car and all kinds of stuff, and that was unfortunate.

“That’s just not accurate information,” Debusk said.

Monday morning, more than four dozen KPD officers and recruits formed a search grid of the wooded area between Lovell Road and the Turkey Creek development.

“We were doing a grid search in the wetland area … there’s also a walkway trail that goes through that area,” Debusk said.

“We also had the rescue squad that responded with some of their boats and divers and we’re looking in and around some of the ponds and the deep area of the creek that runs along the trail,” he added.

According to Debusk, KPD has marked some evidence sites through the woods, but has uncovered nothing concretely connected to Hampton.

“We’ve found a few things that we’ve marked that we cannot at this time say is connected … nothing that solidly ties to this case,” Debusk said.

He was not sure of the location of the next search grid.

“We are continuing our investigation. We have conducted numerous interviews … we are working with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation.

“They are examining some evidence that we recovered,” Debusk said.

Saturday, KPD arrested two employees of the Day’s Inn, but on unrelated charges, Debusk said.

Monday afternoon, Mama Blues Buffet offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to Hampton’s recovery.

KPD is asking anyone with information on Hampton or with knowledge of suspicious activity in the area to call 865-215-7014.

Hampton has brown hair and brown eyes, was born June 28, 1987 and is five feet, three inches tall.

[odette]

A quick look

* The investigation: Knoxville, Tenn., police are investigating the disappearance of 21-year-old Jennifer Lee Hampton, a 2007 graduate of Waterloo High School. Hampton, an employee at Mama Blue’s Buffet in Florence, was in Knoxville with other coworkers training employees to open a new restaurant. She did not meet the other workers Saturday morning to go to work. Her keys, purse and cell phone were found inside her Days Inn Motel room.

* What’s new: Knoxville police continued a ground search of the area around the motel, which is on Lovell Road, in the western part of the city. Police say several areas were searched in hopes of finding anything that would help lead them to Hampton. They continue to talk with family, friends and coworkers.

* What’s next: Police are awaiting forensic results from evidence taken from the motel room that is being examined by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. Authorities said the results are critical to the case and will determine the direction the investigation will follow.

By Tom Smith - Senior Staff Writer - Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Family prays for safe return

Waterloo residents hopeful former homecoming queen will turn up

The mood around the small Lauderdale County town of Waterloo has been far from festive since residents learned Sunday that a former high school homecoming queen has disappeared.

"You just don't think of something like this happening to someone you know. It's got the entire town in a shock," said Jennifer Price, director of the Waterloo Senior Citizens Center and a former schoolmate of Jennifer Lee Hampton.

The 21-year-old Hampton disappeared from a Knoxville, Tenn., motel late Friday night or early Saturday morning, authorities said. She is employed by Mama Blue's Buffet in Florence, and traveled to Knoxville with her boss, Jim Lewis, and two other coworkers to help open a restaurant.

. . . . .
Missing Florence woman Jennifer Hampton is seen here in a 2007 yearbook photo.

Lewis, who operates the Florence and Decatur restaurants, said they were staying at the Days Inn on Lovell Road in west Knoxville.

"They had stayed together pretty much and had been exchanging text messages and phone calls," Lewis said of the three workers from Florence. "When Jennifer didn't show up Saturday morning, we started looking for her."

He said the last time any of the Florence group had heard from Hampton was Friday about 11:30 p.m.

Knoxville police were called to the motel, and after an initial search of the room, immediately called for investigators. Police officers said some evidence from the motel room indicates foul play could be a factor in Hampton's disappearance. .....

Continued @ Link ...

http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20...or_safe_return

[odette]

. . . . .

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm...ndid=343871650

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Search continues for missing woman

. . . . .

Continued @ link ...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...missing-woman/

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Owner offers reward

Restaurant where missing woman works offers money for information

Victor Brewer has been friends with Jennifer Hampton for eight years and was among the last people she spoke with Friday night before she was reported missing the next morning while on a business trip in Knoxville, Tenn.

"I spoke with her at about 8:30," Brewer said. "I asked her how she was doing ... me and her talk all the time. She was kind of lonely ... homesick, and was ready to come home."

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http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20..._offers_reward

[One2Snoop]

This is so sad. Someone must of been watching her and then gained entry to her room either before she returned or after. It doesn't sound good if LE found signs of foul play.

Prayers go out to the family.

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by One2Snoop

This is so sad. Someone must of been watching her and then gained entry to her room either before she returned or after. It doesn't sound good if LE found signs of foul play.

Prayers go out to the family.

ITA was there a bar in the hotel? anyone know?

[odette]

September 26, 2008

Search for woman expands

Excerpt: Barnhill told ABC News that he understood there was no forced entry into her motel room, and sheets were ripped off one of the beds. He told the network that Hampton told her boyfriend on the phone she was concerned about two men outside her room before she went to bed.

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...woman-expands/

[odette]

Updated 12:23 p.m., September 27, 2008

Body found in Clinch River; description fits missing woman

Knoxville police are investigating the death of a young woman pulled this morning from the Clinch River near the Anderson County-Knox County line.

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...its-missing-a/

[One2Snoop]

Oh this is sad. I hope they catch the scum that did this to her.

Prayers go out to the family.

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by SaraSidle

ITA was there a bar in the hotel? anyone know?

I don't think so in a Hampton Inn. They might offer a Happy Hour type thing - its been awhile since I've stayed in one though.

[dan_uk]

it might not be jennifer yet

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by One2Snoop

I don't think so in a Hampton Inn. They might offer a Happy Hour type thing - its been awhile since I've stayed in one though.

after I checked on things Days Inn usually has a resturant/bar on site usually but not part of the building. Just wondering if she went for a nightcap and met someone. I am still checking. IMO

[odette]

Family of missing Alabama woman to hold press conference

The family of missing Alabama woman, Jennifer Lee Hampton, plans to hold a press conference Monday morning. Their attorney, Eddie Daniel, said their nights have been filled with sleeplessness while they wait for the autopsy results of a body found Saturday morning in the Clinch River.

. . . . .
A forensic unit leaves the scene at Melton Hill Lake where a body was found Saturday morning.

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http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story...6&provider=top

[One2Snoop]

Church offerings raise $12,000 for missing girl's family

By Marti Davis (Contact)
Originally published 03:44 p.m., September 29, 2008
Updated 03:44 p.m., September 29, 2008


Police continue the search for Jennifer Lee Hampton, an Alabama woman who went missing from the Lovell Road Days Inn on Sept. 19

When the attorney for Jennifer Hampton's family learned a body had been found, he turned to his pastor at Cokesbury United Methodist Church for help.

The whole congregation responded, contributing more than $12,000 to a fund for her expected funeral, transport back to her home Alabama, and expenses for the family during the trial of those suspected in her death.

snip
http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...-missing-girl/

[odette]

Police confirm body is that of missing Ala. woman

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Police have confirmed that a body found in a lake near Knoxville was an Alabama woman last seen at a local motel more than a week ago, and said the case was being investigated as a homicide.

Continued @ Link ...

http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs....EWS01/80929042

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Missing woman's death confirmed; no cause released

Excerpt: The family's attorney, Eddie Daniel, said Hampton's loved ones are making arrangements to return her body home to Alabama.

"Our fears have now been confirmed 100 percent," he said. "There's no question but that it's Jennifer. The family is grieving very, very badly but has grown to accept it as best they can."

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...an-meet-press/

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Body identified as missing woman's

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http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20...issing_woman_s

[One2Snoop]

I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

[odette]

Originally Posted by One2Snoop

I am so sorry to hear this. My thoughts and prayers go out to the family.

I agree 02 .. very sad.

Yet another young woman has lost her life at the hands of some vile brute/s!

[odette]

Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Homicide suspected in Alabama woman's death

Body ID'd as missing woman, 21

Excerpt: "She apparently was ready to start nursing school at a local community college," Cook said. "She already had been accepted."

Hampton chose nursing, Cook said, "because she wanted to help people."

Although Hampton's family called her Jenny, her co-workers had another name for her.

"I've been told at work she was called 'Country' because she had such a strong Southern drawl," Cook said.

Continued @ Link ...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/se...sing-woman-21/

[SaraSidle]

this is very sad. how does this keep hapening? I googled the route from the hotel to the lake where she was found and to me it looks like the poi is local...........has to know the area. I am very sorry for Jennifer and her family. IMO

[odette]

Police have suspect in slaying of Ala. woman

Name being withheld until forensic tests on evidence complete

Knoxville police say they have a suspect but haven't finished building the case against him in the killing of Jennifer Lee Hampton, the missing Alabama woman found dead over the weekend.

Police wouldn't give that suspect's name Tuesday, saying only that he's in jail on "unrelated" charges with no bond.

"We are currently awaiting the results of forensic tests being performed on evidence that was recovered during the investigation," Knoxville Police Department spokesman Darrell DeBusk wrote in a press release. "Charges in the death of Ms. Hampton will be forthcoming."

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oc...-of-ala-woman/

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Suspect in death in custody

Worker at motel where Hampton stayed held on unrelated charges

Police in Knoxville, Tenn., confirmed Tuesday they have a suspect in custody in the abduction and slaying of a former Waterloo High School homecoming queen.

Reports indicate the suspect is one of two men believed to be illegal immigrants from Mexico who have been in custody since the day Hampton was reported missing.

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http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20...ath_in_custody

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Knoxville pastor helps counsel Hampton's family

Throughout the week-long search for Jennifer Lee Hampton and amid the pain experienced by her family, many Knoxville residents stood by to help in any way possible.

Dr. Steven Sallee, Pastor of Cokesbury United Methodist Church, has stood by the family's side for days now.

When the call came in Saturday morning that a fisherman may have found Hampton's body in the Clinch River, Dr. Sallee also got a call.

"I went down there and ended up spending most of Saturday morning with the family," he said. Dr. Sallee is used to helping families in grief, but this time was unlike any other.

"Being in the presence of this kind of tragedy, it's not easy."

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http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story...=65239&catid=2

[odette]

Murder warrant issued in connection with death of Alabama waitress

A murder warrant has been issued in connection with the death of Jennifer Lee Hampton.

It is one of the men arrested last week for forgery at the Days Inn.

. . . .
. . . . Valentino Vasquez Miranda

19-year old Valentino Vasquez Miranda will be served a first degree murder warrant today, in jail, and will be held on $1 million dollars bond.

No word if the other suspect in custody, 38-year old Rogelio Dominguez Melchor will be charged.

http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/29994449.html

[odette]

Sources: Hampton strangled; Murder warrant served for Days Inn employee

Excerpt: According to sources, the medical examiner has ruled Hampton was strangled, sometime in the early morning hours of September 20th.

Court sources tell Volunteer TV News, Miranda's wife, who is also an employee at the Days Inn turned over bloody clothes she says Miranda was wearing in the early morning hours of September 20th.

Court sources tell VolunteerTV.com the blood on the clothes matches Hampton's blood.

Those sources tell Volunteer TV News Knoxville Police investigators have evidence to show that Miranda's master key card was used to access Hampton's room at the Days Inn around 2:45 a.m. on September 20th.

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http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/29994939.html

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by odette

Sources: Hampton strangled; Murder warrant served for Days Inn employee

Excerpt: According to sources, the medical examiner has ruled Hampton was strangled, sometime in the early morning hours of September 20th.

Court sources tell Volunteer TV News, Miranda's wife, who is also an employee at the Days Inn turned over bloody clothes she says Miranda was wearing in the early morning hours of September 20th.

Court sources tell VolunteerTV.com the blood on the clothes matches Hampton's blood.

Those sources tell Volunteer TV News Knoxville Police investigators have evidence to show that Miranda's master key card was used to access Hampton's room at the Days Inn around 2:45 a.m. on September 20th.

Continued @ Link ...

http://www.volunteertv.com/home/headlines/29994939.html

thanks so much for all the updates Odette. Good news on the poi. Makes you wonder more about hotel security...I wish all of these missing could be found this fast. IMO sara

[odette]

Tell us what you think: changes in wake of Jennifer Hampton's murder?

Jennifer Lee Hampton, 21, was found dead Saturday. The Alabama woman's body had been dumped in the Clinch River. She was last seen alive at the Days Inn on Lovell Road, a bit over a week before she was found.

A hotel employee, a housekeeper who is an illegal immigrant, has since been charged with her murder. Police say he used his employee key to enter Hampton's room. Immigration and Customs Enforcement says no immigration charges are expected against the hotel, due to the realism of forged citizenship documents.

We want to know what you think of the issues raised by this case.

Are America's laws regarding employment of illegal immigrants sufficient and effective? How about the enforcement of those laws?

Should hotels perform background checks on all employees? Do you think they should be required to?

Are the safety regulations for hotels effective? Should changes be made?

More @ link ...

http://www.wbir.com/news/local/story...=65362&catid=2

[odette]

Hotel Worker Charged With Murder of Waitress

Arrest Brings Little Consolation for Family of Slain Alabama Woman

A 19-year-old hotel employee who police believe is in the country illegally has been charged with the murder of Jennifer Hampton, the 21-year-old waitress whose body was found over the weekend.

. . . .
Police have arrested Valentino Miranda, right, for the murder of Jennifer Hampton, left. Pictured center is Rogelio Melchor who is being held on unrelated fraud charges and is considered a "person of interest" in Hampton's death. -- (Courtesy of Hampton family/ Courtesy Knoxville Police Department)

A man who gave police the name of Valentino Miranda is being held in Knoxville, Tenn., on one count of first-degree murder. Both he and a man who identified himself as Rogelio Melchor, 38, also an employee at the Days Inn where Hampton was staying on a business trip, have been held since Saturday on unrelated fraud charges.

Pending the processing of evidence, more charges may follow for both Miranda and Melchor, the latter of whom has not been charged in connection with Hampton's death, Knoxville Public Information Officer Darrell DeBusk told ABCNews.com today. Miranda was arraigned via video today.

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http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=5927526&page=1

[odette]

Man charged with murder

Autopsy shows Hampton was strangled

As the body of a former Waterloo High School homecoming queen was being returned home Wednesday morning, Knoxville, Tenn., police filed murder charges against the man they say killed her.

. . .
Valentino Vasquez Miranda - Courtesy of The Knoxville News Sentinel

Valentino Vasquez Miranda, 19, was served with the arrest warrant in the Knoxville jail where he has been held since shortly after Jennifer Lee Hampton was reported missing Sept. 20.

Miranda, who lived and worked at Days Inn in west Knoxville where Hampton was staying, is charged with first-degree murder. A person convicted of first-degree murder in Tennessee faces a possible sentence of death.

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http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20..._with_murder_#

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Motel worker accused in Jennifer Lee Hampton's slaying

Illegal immigrant used key to enter room, kill Alabamian, police say

The lock on Jennifer Lee Hampton's motel room door couldn't keep out her killer, authorities said Wednesday.

Police say an illegal immigrant who worked there used his master key card to open that door, then strangled the former homecoming queen from Alabama in her West Knoxville motel room during the early morning of Sept. 20

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http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oc...orker-accused/

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by odette

Motel worker accused in Jennifer Lee Hampton's slaying

Illegal immigrant used key to enter room, kill Alabamian, police say

The lock on Jennifer Lee Hampton's motel room door couldn't keep out her killer, authorities said Wednesday.

Police say an illegal immigrant who worked there used his master key card to open that door, then strangled the former homecoming queen from Alabama in her West Knoxville motel room during the early morning of Sept. 20

Continued @ Link ...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oc...orker-accused/

Whenever I have stayed at a hotel that is always a second lock inside on the door. Was this there? was it used?

[One2Snoop]

Originally Posted by SaraSidle

Whenever I have stayed at a hotel that is always a second lock inside on the door. Was this there? was it used?

Good point Sara. They should also change the way they issue master key cards. Have a check-in/check out system and make employees turn them in at the end of a work day. Although it probably wouldn't work if someone claimed they lost it. I guess then it would be a matter of re-keying the master key card. Just thinking out loud.

[SaraSidle]

Originally Posted by One2Snoop

Good point Sara. They should also change the way they issue master key cards. Have a check-in/check out system and make employees turn them in at the end of a work day. Although it probably wouldn't work if someone claimed they lost it. I guess then it would be a matter of re-keying the master key card. Just thinking out loud.

True but on the other hand it does say when the card is used to come in.IMO
maybe wearing necklace with ID and key attached?IMO

[odette]

Published: Friday, October 3, 2008 at 3:30 a.m.

Mourners remember 'happy girl'

The video monitor at Morrison Funeral Home showed photo after photo of Jennifer Lee Hampton, while a crowd that eventually would fill the chapel somberly filed in Thursday night.

The seemingly perpetual sweet smile of the former Waterloo resident shone in every shot, from those of her childhood, throughout her teen years and into her young adult life.

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http://www.timesdaily.com/article/20...r__happy_girl_

[One2Snoop]

So sad.

[odette]

DNA samples taken from slaying suspect

Knoxville Police Department investigators have taken saliva swabs and hair samples from Valentino Vasquez Miranda, the suspect in the slaying of former Alabama homecoming queen Jennifer Lee Hampton.

Miranda, 19, is charged with first-degree murder.

Article Continued ...

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2008/oc...aying-suspect/