Lt. Travis Whitman of the Garden Grove Police Department holds a news conference to speak about the deceased female body that was discovered in a room at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel in Garden Grove. Kenneka Jenkins was with friends at a party that took place in Room 926 of the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago. Her family said that police told them that Jenkins was intoxicated when she walked into the freezer. Key card access. However, according to Martin, police advised her to wait a few hours before filing a missing persons report, as they said her young teen could show up. All further questions should be directed to the Rosemont Police Department. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. http://c.brightcove.com/services/viewer/federated_f9/6936102001?isVid=1&publisherID=987209017, Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361, UPDATE: Woman found dead in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window), Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window), Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window), Theres a dire need for male teachers of color. Police released the following timeline Friday from when Jenkins left her home to the time autopsy results were released: 11:30 P.M Ms. Jenkins leaves her home on the west side of Chicago. The medical examiner's report found Jenkins' death to be accidental. And, according to the authorities, they are leaving no stone unturned to determine the cause of her death. 3 of 26 4 of 26 A view of the new lobby at the Crowne Plaza Albany - The Desmond Hotel on Wednesday, April 21, 2021, in Albany, N.Y. (Paul Buckowski/Times Union) Paul Buckowski/Times Union Show . One of the partygoers said the harassment stemming from Kenneka's death had prompted her to relocate to another city. Though the case attracted suspicion of foul play even after surveillance video showed Jenkins stumbling through the hotel in a drunken stupor, the medical examiner ruled that she had accidentally died after becoming stuck in the freezer. Police held a press conference at 2:30 p.m. todaybut little information was available. It worked. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. The Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel in Garden Grove where at 9:51 am Friday morning Garden Grove Police officers were dispatched to a room at the hotel where officers discovered a deceased female in the room. However, her mother is confident that foul-play is involved and that somebody murdered her daughter. Also, another interesting fact is that the area where Jenkins was found was under construction, and the security cameras were allegedly not functioning in that part of the hotel. "It takes strength to open these doors, the freezer doors. Attorney Larry Rogers Jr. added the photos "raise more questions about what happened to Kenneka Jenkins than they answer.. In a 911 recording made after Jenkins vanished but before she was found, her mother tells a dispatcher that she fears her daughter has been drinking after speaking to her friends. Protesters gathered outside the hotel on multiple occasions in the days since to demand more transparency in the investigation and to call on a federal investigation. Hotel worker: You guys asked me the same question when I first provided you the tapes from the hotel. Viewers believed they could hear what sounded like a womans moans and screams in the background and that it was Kenneka crying out for help. The photos shown to [Jenkins mother] depict how Kenneka was found after being in a freezer for more than 20 hours, attorney Sam Adam Jr. said in a statement. The family of a drunk 19-year-old who died of hypothermia inside a walk-in freezer has sued the hotel where she died for $50 million. Jenkins' sister told police that Jenkins was seen leaving her Chicago home at 11:30 p.m. Friday for a party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 5440 North River Road. The hotel staff will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities. -At 7:14 a.m., Jenkins' mother calls Rosemont Public Safety to report her daughter is missing. After mounting public pressure, police on Wednesday released a statement on the status of their investigation. [6] She was found lying face down on her side, with one shoe off. She also had abrasions on her foot and one side of her body. Allow us to do the driving for you while you enjoy our free shuttle to and from the airport. [10], Jenkins' friends' stories remained inconsistent as to exactly what had happened after the party. Death of an American teenager that occurred on September 8, 2017, Keilman, John and Pratt, Gregory (October 13, 2017), Byrne, John and Rosenberg-Douglas, Katherine (September 11, 2017), "Police Reports Offer New Details on Investigation into Kenneka Jenkins' Death", "People Are Baffled By The Footage Of This Woman's Mysterious Death In A Hotel Freezer", "Footage of 'Body in Freezer' Victim Kenneka Jenkins Final Moments Released", "Kenneka Jenkins' Mother Knew Something was Wrong Hours Before Police Looked For Her", "Teen From Chicago Found Dead in Walk-in Freezer at Rosemont Hotel", "Mother of Teen who Stumbled into Hotel's Walk-in Freezer Suing after Horrific Death", "A woman was found dead in a hotel freezer. This lawsuit has no merit and we will vigorously contest it.'. The girls arrived at the party around 1:13 am. Rest in peace Kenneka. ", 'I need you to kill me': Alex Murdaugh's botched suicide attempt, IL gov urges Walgreens CEO to reconsider abortion pill policies, 2 men stabbed in River North fight: Chicago police. Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center is a 3.5 star hotel located at 5440 N River Rd in Chicago. Another new theory that has come up states that the Crowne Plaza Rosemont owner was involved with Roberts to kill Jenkins. A white circular handle on the inside, which would have enabled a person to exit on their own, appeared to be in good working order. Speculation about foul play had swirled on social media in the aftermath of the unusual death, with local activists and family members insisting that investigators were covering something up. On September 10th 2017, 19 year old Kenneka Jenkins was found murdered in a FREEZER at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel in the small city of Rosemont, Illinois. Hopefully, the case will be solved soon, and that justice will be served to the Jenkins family. Jenkins' family said she went to a party at the hotel with friends Friday night. Investigators believe the death is a result of a homicide. After she went missing, one friend texted another about how Jenkins was drunk and missing. But the dispatcher tries to allay her concerns and assures her that Jenkins will probably turn up. Toxicology tests detected alcohol and topiramate, an epilepsy/migraine medication, in the woman's system, which contributed to her death, the M.E. ", A look at the best video roundup of snow falling across California, Has CA hit the all-time state snow record? Kenneka Jenkins, 19, was found dead in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois, at about 12:30 a.m. Sunday. Business hotel in Chicago's West Loop. Police are investigating after a young Sudanese asylum seeker was found dead in the early hours of Sunday in a hotel near Heathrow airport.. 's office said. Jenkins mom,Tereasa Martin rushed to the hotel to find her daughter and persuaded the cops to search for her, as well. Police investigators found that the interior mechanism to release the door from the inside was working. Prices are subject to change. Kenneka Jenkins' mother has filed a lawsuit against Crowne Plaza hotel, its security and a restaurant at the hotel in her daughter's death. Managing the effects of Covid-19 on our industry and our company is a team effort. A 19-year-old Chicago woman was found dead in a hotel freezer Sunday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont. [2] She was briefly seen with others walking through one of the halls in the hotel. Rosemont police have given no indication they believe foul play could have been involved, but are waiting for autopsy results before making a determination on manner of death. Jenkins, 19, attended a party at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel and Conference Center on September 8 with friends. With a complementary 24-hour shuttle service, and ample parking, it is easily accessible for all travelers. CHICAGO, Dec. 17, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- On September 9, 2017, 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins was attending a party at the Crowne Plaza Chicago-O'Hare Hotel. It has a 4.0 overall guest rating based on 1458 reviews. Her whereabouts remained unknown until she was found in the hotel's freezer and pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m. The Chicago Crowne Plaza Hotel is a short L-train ride from the Magnificent Mile shopping area and Navy Pier. Martin said 'one cup is too much for her' and asks if detectives can get the hotel surveillance video. However, he stated, more than likely its not what happened, but its a possibility. There has been no resolve why her clothing appeared that way. Located near Greektown, Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop features thoughtfully designed rooms, premium amenities, elegant meeting spaces, and free Wi-Fi. -At 12:25 a.m. Sunday Sept. 10, a hotel employee finds Jenkins' body. It has an outdoor pool, restaurant, and offers a free shuttle to locations within 5 miles of the hotel. On the one-year anniversary of her death, we look back the theories that kept us scrolling social media for answers. If you drive, self parking is USD 25.00 per night, or you can take advantage of the free airport shuttle during limited hours. Weitere Informationen ber die Verwendung Ihrer personenbezogenen Daten finden Sie in unserer Datenschutzerklrung und unserer Cookie-Richtlinie. As of Mar 4, 2023, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Crowne Plaza Chicago West Loop, an IHG Hotel on Mar 12, 2023 start from $139.92, excluding taxes and fees. The sister said that she had received a text message from Jenkins at about 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Choose your dates for more accurate . Kenneka Jenkins walks through a kitchen at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel at 3.32 a.m. Screenshot . You were right. The only way to open the door from the inside was to push a circular handle to release the latch. The mysterious death of Kenneka Jenkins kept us captivated well after the 19-year-old student was found dead inside a Crowne Plaza hotel freezer. @shamika_sanders. Her family said that police told them that Jenkins was intoxicated when she walked into the freezer. Prices are subject to change. Jenkins was finally found Sunday morning around 12:30 a.m., dead at the scene. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Some even suggested the red lines on the footage prove theres another person in proximity. She used her mother's car to drive to the hotel and they took with them a speaker, cognac, and a few bottles of energy drink. They believe the footage was edited to cover up her murder. Thetheorysuggests that Jenkins was invited to the party by one of her friends, who was paid either $200 or $2,000 to rape a drunk Jenkins. Officers search the hotel and, as the day progresses, review surveillance video. Kenneka Jenkins is now famously known as "the girl found in the freezer." She was found at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Chicago's Rosemont area, dead in one of the hotel's walk-in freezers. Several witnesses reported seeing her drink cognac, but did not see her partake of any marijuana or other drugs. A 19-year-old Chicago woman was found dead in a hotel freezer Sunday morning at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont. A series of police reports were released last week in the investigation, but attorney for the Jenkins family said more information was expected to be released by police Friday. As of Mar 2, 2023, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Crowne Plaza Chicago-Northbrook, an IHG Hotel on Mar 12, 2023 start from $88.0, excluding taxes and fees. The rooms were a great space. 532,375 were here. This Northbrook hotel is just 5 minutes from Chicago Executive Airport. The disappearance and death of 19-year . . Conspiracy #3: Someone Followed Her Into The Freezer. [1][2] The party started at 11:30 p.m. on Friday, September 8, 2017. Rosemont police found in their investigation that the door could not be opened from the inside unless a circular handle was pushed to release the latch. Kenneka Jenkins was found dead early Sunday in a freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel. ROSEMONT, Illinois -- A 19-year-old Chicago woman was discovered dead early Sunday inside a freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont, police said. Kenneka Jenkins was an American teenager who went missing after attending a party on the 9th floor of the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, Illinois. By Much speculation has brewed up on multiple social media platforms by the curious civilians nation wide whom are hungry for further information of the mysterious death of . / CBS News, CHICAGO -- Police investigating the death of a teen whose body was found in a hotel freezer say they have interviewed 12 people who were "involved in some way.". 1:13 A.M. Ms. Jenkins arrives at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel, 5440 N. River Road, Rosemont, IL to attend a private party in a hotel room. Jenkins, a 19-year-old Chicago resident, was found dead inside a freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel early Sept. 10, 2017 after she went to to the complex late Sept. 8 for a private party in a room there. Family members later characterized the initial police response as lacking in urgency. Her body was found some 20 hours later inside a hotel . On Wednesday, Rosemonts Mayor Bradley Stephenssaid, Its unfortunate that some of that stuffs convoluting the investigation because all those leads have got to be followed up on. The video ends with the intoxicated teen walking into a deserted kitchen area but not into the freezer, which added to theories detectives were covering-up a murder. Her friends called her family at 4:30 a.m. Saturday saying Jenkins was missing. We take great care over our decisions, so that we make . Video, audio and police reports provide the most complete timeline yet in the death of 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins in a Rosemont hotel's walk-in freezer in September 2017. Detectives released the footage to the public afterwards, but it didnt show Kenneka walking in the freezer like Holmes suggested. Security footage shows the group entering from a side entrance around 1:00 a.m. . At least 10 dead after winter storm slams South, Midwest, The Saturday Six: Dental device controversy, scientist's bug find and more, Indonesia fuel depot fire kills 18; more than a dozen missing, Biden had cancerous skin lesion removed last month, doctor says, Duo of 81-year-old women plan to see the world in 80 days, Tom Sizemore, actor known for "Saving Private Ryan" and "Heat," dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh sentenced to life in prison for murders of wife and son. All Rights Reserved. 3:08 A.M. Surveillance video was released showing Jenkins stumbling around the hallways and kitchen of the hotel where she was found dead inside of the walk-in freezer hours later, cooling suspicions. Further searches are conducted as more CCTV is reviewed. Bei der Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps verwenden wir, unsere Websites und Apps fr Sie bereitzustellen, Nutzer zu authentifizieren, Sicherheitsmanahmen anzuwenden und Spam und Missbrauch zu verhindern, und, Ihre Nutzung unserer Websites und Apps zu messen, personalisierte Werbung und Inhalte auf der Grundlage von Interessenprofilen anzuzeigen, die Effektivitt von personalisierten Anzeigen und Inhalten zu messen, sowie, unsere Produkte und Dienstleistungen zu entwickeln und zu verbessern. No sign of any date rape drugs were found after toxicology tests, the office said. "The death of any child is tragic; but the death and circumstances surrounding Ms. Jenkins are especially sad," Rosemont Police Chief Donald E. Stephens III said last year. A number of charming shops, famed restaurants and an exciting nightlife are also nearby. She can be seen walking unsteadily through the hotels kitchen before disappearing around a corner. It's unbelievable," Martin said. Deaths. Hotel employees found Jenkins' body in a freezer in the basement of the hotel. Even the release of graphic photos of Jenkin's body did not quell the family's suspicions, with an attorney for the family claiming the images raised more questions than answers. The front desk has multilingual staff on hand 24/7 to help with concierge . Chicago wants hotels held accountable after the death of the 19-year-old Jenkins. According to Irene, they were all leaving the hotel with Kenneka, who was drunk. The Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel and Conference Center lies just 1.4 miles from O'Hare Airport. Paid rates, in contrast, average about $215 for a standard room. According to Oz, someone suffering fatal hypothermia may feel a rush of heat when they attempt to undress themselves. It claims hotel staff, the security company and a hotel restaurant, are responsible for her daughter's death, alleging the defendants were negligent because they didn't secure the walk-in freezer or conduct a proper search when Jenkins went missing. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts. At first, people saw the Facebook Live video posted byIrene Robertsand stated that Jenkins was raped and killed in the room. The hotel staff will continue to cooperate fully with local authorities. Police in Rosemont, a suburb northwest of Chicago, said Kenneka Jenkins, 19, was last seen early Saturday, September 9, at a party at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel. Shamika is a seasoned reporter with over 10 years of experience in digital media. In this photo from Jan. 10, 2023, Bears general manager Ryan Poles, left, and coach Matt Eberflus speak to the media during an end-of-season news conference. However, the family believes there is more to the story. national attention since she was found in a freezer at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Rosemont on Sept. 10 The police have said that the woman, Kenneka Jenkins, 19, attended a party at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in the Village of Rosemont, Ill., just northwest of Chicago, on Friday night. She is the mother of an adorable two-year-old, enjoys spending time with her friends and family, enjoys good music, and good eats. MUST READ: What Happened To Kenneka Jenkins? Lt. Travis Whitman, center, of the Garden Grove Police Department answers questions from the media during a news conference during a news conference to discuss the events surrounding the deceased female body that was discovered in a room at the Crowne Plaza Resort Hotel in Garden Grove. The Associated Press contributed to this report. ROSEMONT, Ill. -- A 19-year-old Chicago woman was discovered dead early Sunday . Police have "located and interviewed" 12 people as part of the investigation, the department said, eight of whom were at the hotel Friday night or early Saturday morning. The Cook County Medical Examiner's Officeruled Jenkins' death an accident. In building the first business-class hotel back in 1983, Crowne Plaza set new standards for what guests can expect on the road. Preliminary autopsy results are expected on Wednesday. Rosemont police have released nine video clips showing Jenkins walking through the hotel in the hours before her death. The 24-year-old woman was found inside a room at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, 12021 Harbor Blvd., at 9:51 a.m. after police received a call of suspicious circumstances at the hotel, said Lt. Travis . ROSEMONT, Ill. -- The family of a 19-year-old Chicago woman found dead inside a Rosemont hotel freezer said they have many questions. According to the Chicago Sun-Times, Jenkins . The Cook County Medical Examiners Office releases the Autopsy Report which lists the cause of death as hypothermia and the manner of death as accidental. mother Teresa Martin said. Prices are subject to change. Authorities released Friday photos, videos and other material--including a timeline of events--from the investigation of a Chicago teen's death whose body was found in a hotel freezer last month. [10] The autopsy report found no illegal drugs in Jenkins' system, but her blood alcohol level was found to be 0.112. Kenneka Jenkins was last seen Saturday . (Chicago Tribune) Topiramate taken together with alcohol can enhance the effects of both, and hasten the onset of hypothermia, the presence of which was confirmed by lesions found in Jenkins' stomach. By We are no longer accepting comments on this article. When they left the room, she realized she left her phone and keys in the room. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The inaugural episode dives into the September 2017 death of Chicago teen Kenneka Jenkins, who was found dead inside a walk-in freezer at a Rosemont hotel. RELATED: . 'Those criminals escaped the hotel before police arrived and have never truly been held accountable. 'The death of Kenneka Jenkins was a tragedy, but the proximate cause of her death were the unsavory individuals who used a stolen credit card to book a room and host an illegal party which Ms. Jenkins attended,' he said. [3] Camera footage later surfaced of Jenkins staggering near the front desk at 3:20 a.m.[4], About one hour later, Jenkins' friends contacted her mother, Teresa Martin, who arrived at the hotel around 5:30 a.m. to assist in the search. The suit filed on Tuesday accuses theCrowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel of negligence in the September 2017 death ofKenneka Jenkins in Rosemont, a suburb of Chicago. [5] Hotel management stated that they could not provide access to video footage from the night before until someone reported Jenkins missing to the police, who officially reported her missing to hotel management at 1:15 p.m. Saturday. Ms. Jenkins was pronounced dead at the scene by a Resurrection Hospital doctor via Medical Control. 22:41 GMT 14 Dec 2018. The Rosemont police department issued a statement the same day, saying that while no foul play was suspected, their investigation had not yet been completed. Police are analyzing video from 47 hotel cameras as well as "certain videos related to this investigation." Kenneka Jenkins, 19, was found dead in a freezer at the Crowne Plaza hotel in Rosemont on Sept. 10, 2017. Check out Bay Area safety tracker, Tracking the drought: Map shows conditions across SF Bay Area, Bay Area Life; Sundays at 6:30 p.m. on ABC7. ATLANTA People staying at a fancy hotel in Atlanta say they are having their stuff stolen while they sleep. GARDEN GROVE Investigators with the Garden Grove Police believe a woman who was found dead in a hotel room this morning was the victim of a homicide, authorities said. Police press investigation into Chicago teen's death in hotel freezer. Here's where we stand, Armed carjacking suspect leads police on dangerous chase. The suit claims that the hotel had other walk-in freezers which were kept locked and were not accessible to the public. . 19-year-old Kenneka Jenkins was found dead inside a latched freezer of the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois, after attending a party there on September 8, 2017. All Rights Reserved. Crowne Plaza - Chicago West Loop, an IHG Hotel. However, yesterday, Jenkins family members and others began a protest right outside the Crowne Plaza in Rosemont seeking justice for Jenkins. All rights reserved. It wasn't until after her mother demanded hotel staff search for her daughter, that she was found; dead, in the hotel freezer. The only additional information the police provided was that the deceased woman's was 24-years-old. The lawsuit contains new claims about the circumstances of the death of Jenkins, who was partying at a room in the hotel and had been using alcohol. 7:14 A.M. Rosemont Public Safety receives a call from Teresa Martin (Ms. Jenkins mother) saying that she cant find her daughter. When they went back to find her belongings Kenneka slipped away. "It's something that no one could ever imagine. Police have not yet identified the woman who was found dead in the room by hotel staff, Whitman said. How could an average teenage girl, on a regular . The ghost of the famed Lady in Red still creeps around the hotel, nearly 100 years after her tragic death on New Year's Eve. After a vigorous search, friends were unable to find Kenneka and called her mother, Tereasa Martin, to see if she had returned home because they couldnt find her. Non-smoking rooms. But the footage does not show how Jenkins ended up in a freezer, where her body was discovered the next day. Keith Griffith For Dailymail.com, Woman, 27, sues Royal Caribbean for $1MILLION after her husband, 24, dies following a head-first collision with her during a Honduran jungle zip line on their honeymoon cruise, 'I just wonder if something happened': Family of University of Richmond football player who committed suicide donates his brain for CTE research, Mom who lost both sons to fentanyl blasts laughing Biden, Two Russian tanks annihilated with bombs by Ukrainian armed forces, Isabel Oakeshott receives 'menacing' message from Matt Hancock, Pavement where disabled woman gestured at cyclist before fatal crash, Pro-Ukrainian drone lands on Russian spy planes exposing location, 'Buster is next!' In October, 2017, the department released a timeline of Jenkins' last hours and other evidence, including audio recordings and photographs of Jenkins' body in the compartment where she was found. Jenkins had been at a birthday party Friday night on the ninth floor of the hotel. It has had a recent makeover, featuring 503 brand new guest . Police Reports Reveal New Details in Investigation Into Chicago Teen's Hotel Freezer Death . People further claimed that Jenkins was set up by Roberts andMonifah Sheltonfor $200. Prices are subject to change. Nor are any details provided about the manager. How safe is your neighborhood? Since her death, many theories have popped up on the Internet claiming that Jenkins was murdered. The Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center is located 2 miles from O'Hare International Airport in Rosemont Ill. -At 3:32 a.m. she is last seen on surveillance video; Jenkins is moving through a first-floor kitchen. The only additional information the police provided was that the deceased woman's was 24-years-old. Police said they are looking at video, including some that friends have posted on social media from the party. In 2018 the family filed a $50 million dollar lawsuit against the Crowne Plaza hotel for her daughter's death. The suit says that staff failed to monitor security cameras that would have alerted them to Jenkins' whereabouts, thus preventing her death. For an award stay, expect to redeem anywhere from 25,000 to 40,000 points. Jenkins' final documented moments are these, according to Rosemont police: -She leaves her home on the West Side of Chicago at 11:30 p.m. Friday Sept. 8. At Crowne Plaza Hotel Chicago O'Hare, an IHG Hotel, guests enjoy an indoor pool, a gym, and free WiFi in public areas. Video shows the teen leaving the elevator alone at 3.20am then struggling to maintain balance as she navigates the hallways. This theory is further supported by the fact that the hotel owners at first refused to show the surveillance video of the hotel. Two months after inewsource reported a spike in police calls, a lapse in mental healthcare and a suicide death at a COVID-19 isolation hotel, San Diego County shifted the operation of its sheltering program to a staffing agency for $30 million. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. Dozens of protesters demanded police provide more information about Jenkins' death on Wednesday, CBS Chicago reports.