New images, texts in Kessler case
The Florida State Attorney's office handling the Kimberly Kessler case released a few new images and text messages Friday in response to an ongoing public records request filed by the Butler Eagle and other media.
Kessler, 50, is originally from Butler County, but left the county in 2004 and has since lived in various states under as many as 18 aliases, according to police. Kessler is accused by the sheriff's department of Nassau County, Florida, of the first-degree murder of Joleen Cummings, a co-worker at a hair salon. Cummings went missing in May 2018.
The new files released Friday include several photos that are apparently related to the case, but lack an explanation as to how. A long series of text messages between Kessler and her boss at the hair salon are also included.
Released photos include images of cleaning supplies dropped in a dumpster, what appears to be scratches or other marks in the trunk of a hatchback vehicle, a blue tarp with some small stains and a marked location by a railroad track. The location is marked by an American flag bandanna tied to a sapling with a few pieces of clothing or fabric in the grass below.
Image file names suggest that stains on the tarp were lab tested.
Text messages between Kessler and her boss show Kessler responding to messages asking information about what Cummings was wearing when she went missing, so that the information could be used in a missing person's report.
“Oh my Lord!” Kessler wrote. “So sorry to hear this! For what she wearing not sure I remember ... um, think dark color pants not remember top. I don't pay attention — I not fashion forward like other gals.” (sic)
There's also an exchange in which Kessler, identifying herself as Jennifer Sybert, stresses the importance of concealing her actual name because of an ex-boyfriend.
“When it comes to him, I fear for my life,” she wrote.
Previously released security footage showed Kessler dressed in all black leaving Cummings' car in a parking lot in the middle of the night. The footage was taken after Cummings was last seen.
