Features, Investigative Reporter

Jen Kocher

Find Jen Kocher

Envelope

Latest from Jen Kocher

32 Years After Her Posed Body Was Found Along I-80, ‘Shafter Jane Doe’ Identified

More than 32 years after her body was found along I-80, the woman known as “Shafter Jane Doe” has been identified, officials announced Thursday. Her nude body was posed on the ground, arms extended to either side in the shape of a cross.

Jen KocherJune 04, 2026

Julie Fitzsimons was killed when she was run down by a distracted motorist in downtown Sheridan.

Family Says 60-Day Sentence For Driver Who Killed Woman Brings Them ‘Deeper Grief’

The family of a woman killed by a distracted driver in downtown Sheridan a year ago said they feel slighted by the 60-day sentence he got Friday. It brings “deeper grief,” not closure, said the woman’s daughter.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

Bill Dohse of Find-911 and OSAR helped lead the search for reality television star Matt Brown from his mobile portable command center along the highway in Montana.

Cody-Based Search And Rescue Team Helps Find Body Of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star

A Cody-based search and rescue team helped coordinate the search for the body of “Alaskan Bush People” star Matt Brown. Brown’s body was found Sunday after he went missing four days earlier after allegedly shooting himself along a Washington state river.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

Beaten and turned out to turn tricks, Kelley Marshall was on track for a violent death when eagle-eyed cops recognized she and her toddler were being trafficked. “People seem to think that it doesn’t happen in rural states like Wyoming, but it does,” says an expert.

‘I Was Dead’: How Eagle-Eyed Cops Saved Woman And Toddler From A Human Trafficker

Beaten and turned out to turn tricks, she was on track for a violent death when eagle-eyed cops recognized she was being trafficked. “People think it doesn’t happen in rural states like Wyoming, but it does,” trafficking experts say.

Jen KocherMay 24, 2026

Those who know Shawn Ezekiel Hughes say they can't believe the 36-year-old Cody man with undiagnosed medical issues, including seizures, would just walk away. He’s been missing for a week as his girlfriend and friends grow more desperate to find him.

Missing Man Found Dead In Car At Cody Airport Died Of Injury And Exposure

A man found dead in a car in the parking lot of the Cody airport after being missing for two weeks died of blunt force injuries and exposure to the elements. Knowing that does little to answer his family’s questions about how he ended up in that car.

Jen KocherMay 19, 2026

Wyoming Church Members Targeted By Scammers Stealing In The Name Of God

Scammers are increasingly targeting Wyoming churchgoers, appealing to their generosity and good nature to help out others in need while stealing from them in the name of God. Beware of emails from pastors that ask you to buy gift cards.

Jen KocherMay 17, 2026

After Mother Run Down By Distracted Driver, Sheridan Woman Fights For Tougher Laws

Kate Gladdin rounded a corner in downtown Sheridan last year to see the aftermath of her mother’s death, having been run down by a distracted driver. The driver, a repeat offender, faces up to a year in jail under what Gladdin sees as Wyoming’s lax laws.

Jen KocherMay 16, 2026

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch is rescuing 70 dogs and cats from a Colorado research lab this week. The nation’s only facility that exclusively saves lab animals has rescued thousands of beagles and cats.

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch To Rescue 70 Cats And Dogs From Colorado Research Lab

Wyoming’s Kindness Ranch is rescuing 70 dogs and cats from a Colorado research lab this week — one of its largest rescues. The director believes this is the first of many closures as he's hearing it's longer financially feasible to use beagles and cats.

Jen KocherMay 10, 2026

In October 2001, 27-year-old Daniel "Danny" Moser was found unconscious in the parking lot of the Wagon Wheel Roller Skating Rink in Mills, outside of Casper. He was bloodied and beaten and later died of his injuries two days later.

New Leads Could Help Crack 25-Year-Old Murder Case Of Casper Man Beaten, Run Over

New leads could help crack the 25-year-old murder of a Casper man who was beaten, run over and left to die in a Wyoming roller-skating rink parking lot. “Danny’s death destroyed our family and somebody knows something,” his sister said.

Jen KocherMay 09, 2026

Woman Used By Satanic Cult Motivates Former Wyoming Cop To End Human Trafficking

A woman sex-trafficked by a Satanic cult still haunts — and motivates — former Converse County Undersheriff Justin Scott. Forced to medically retire from law enforcement, he’s found a new mission to rescue human trafficking victims in Wyoming.

Jen KocherMay 02, 2026

The students at the Homestead Learning microschool in Gillette hosted their second-annual business fair, selling their handmade products and baked goods as part of the school's foundational principle of teaching entrepreneurial skills.

Campbell County One-Room Schoolhouse Grows As Microschool Trend Catches Fire

The microschool started 18 months ago in Campbell County with eight students and a dream for building an alternative learning environment has since doubled in size and added a teacher. About 2% of the nation’s student population is microschooled.

Jen KocherApril 20, 2026

Cody Man Missing Since April 5 Found Dead In Parked Car At Airport

The body of Cody resident Shawn Hughes, who had been missing since Easter, was found on Thursday afternoon in a parked car at Yellowstone Regional Airport. “He was so full of life,” said his sister, adding that the family is in shock.

Jen KocherApril 16, 2026

Other Authors

'Something Is Very Wrong’: Cody Man With Mental Health Issues Disappears

Those who know Shawn Ezekiel Hughes say they can't believe the 36-year-old Cody man with undiagnosed medical issues, including seizures, would just walk away. "Something is very wrong," says his girlfriend.

Jen KocherApril 11, 2026

More than 50 years after Utah teenager Laura Ann Aime was killed, advanced DNA tech has confirmed she’s another victim of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. It’s a bombshell breakthrough that could solve other cold cases, including in Wyoming.

DNA Breakthrough Identifies New Ted Bundy Victim In Utah; Could Solve Wyoming Cases

More than 50 years after a Utah teenager was killed, advanced DNA tech has confirmed she’s another victim of infamous serial killer Ted Bundy. It’s a breakthrough that could solve other cold cases, including in Wyoming.

Jen KocherApril 11, 2026

‘It’s Like He’s A Ghost’: Search On After Rock Springs College Student Vanishes

The family of a Rock Springs college student who vanished without a trace two months ago is desperate for answers. “It's like he’s a ghost,” says a longtime friend of Steven Sanches, who was last seen leaving campus around noon on Feb. 5.

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Kurt Cobain of Nirvana during the taping of MTV Unplugged at Sony Studios in New York City, on Nov. 18, 1993.

Utah Investigator Says He Has New Evidence That Shows Kurt Cobain Was Murdered

A Utah investigator turned over new evidence to police, on top of a report by a team of forensic experts who say Kurt Cobain’s death wasn’t a suicide, it was was murder. A retired Seattle Police captain agrees and says original investigators botched the case

Jen KocherApril 04, 2026

Madhu Anderson (carrying beagle), who is from Rock Springs, was among the 27 animal rights activists arrested on March 15 after breaking into a Wisconsin biomedical research facility and taking 30 beagles.

Rock Springs Activist Defends Raid On Wisconsin Beagle Lab, Says Arrest Was Worth It

A Rock Springs animal rights activist who helped raid a Wisconsin beagle lab earlier this month said saving abused dogs was worth getting arrested. “It’s not a crime to rescue abused animals when they are suffering,” she told Cowboy State Daily.

Jen KocherMarch 25, 2026

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins, Wyoming, after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. His family believes he was killed and still seeks answers in his unsolved case.

Family Still Haunted By Mysterious 1983 Disappearance Of Rawlins Welding Student

In 1983, 24-year-old welding student John Boutin vanished from Rawlins after raising concerns about misconduct at his shop. Authorities and his family believe he was killed and are still seeking answers in the unsolved case.

Jen KocherMarch 21, 2026

Courtney Hampleman found solace in speaking to her deceased loved ones on the Wind Phone in a downtown Gillette park. It's the first of its kind in Wyoming.

Wyoming's First 'Wind Phone' Helps Gillette Residents With Grief Of Losing A Loved One

People grieve in different ways. One Gillette therapist installed a "Wind Phone" in a park to allow a person to pick up the receiver, dial a number or not, and speak freely to a loved one to share memories or grief without judgment. "I felt at peace," one woman said.

Jen KocherMarch 15, 2026

Cathy Holman, whose daughter was stalked for nearly a year, testified at the House Judiciary Committee Meeting

Legislation Making Child Stalking And Grooming Felonies Headed To Gov's Desk

Bills making child stalking and grooming standalone felony crimes are headed for the governor's desk. The stalking bill came from a high-profile case where a 41-year-old in Glenrock stalked and harassed a 16-year-old teen for a year and received probation.

Jen KocherMarch 02, 2026

Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend is a person of interest but hasn’t been charged, and the case remains active.

Now Four Years Gone, Family Fears Worst For Missing Gillette Student Irene Gakwa

It’s been four years since Kenyan nursing student Irene Gakwa vanished from Gillette in February 2022, and her family fears she’s dead. Her ex-boyfriend, now out of prison for stealing her bank card, hasn’t been charged but remains a person of interest, police say.

Jen KocherMarch 01, 2026