Features, Investigative Reporter

Jen Kocher

Follow Jen Kocher

Envelope

Latest from Jen Kocher

Dan Gryder replicated the DB Cooper jump above the Columbia River in Portland, Oregon, on the 50th anniversary of the hijacking to determine that the Cooper would not have been able to hold on to the bag of $200,000.

Part 3: Who is D.B. Cooper? After 53 Years, Push To Solve Notorious Crime In Overdrive

Cowboy State Daily's story about a parachute found by a high profile investigator has kicked the stalled investigation of one of America’s most notorious mysteries into overdrive. The new evidence has rekindled ex-FBI agents and others to finally solve the D.B. Cooper case.

Jen KocherDecember 15, 2024

Amber Scholz was 21 when she disappeared from her Rock Springs, Wyoming, apartment in the early morning hours off Nov. 8, 1981.

Family Still Desperate For Answers 43 Years After Young Wyoming Mother Vanished

Amber Scholz was a 21-year-old mother in a custody battle with the father when she vanished from her Rock Springs home in 1981. Now 43 years later, her family is still desperate for answers.

Jen KocherDecember 08, 2024

Jenna Rose Gerwatowski is a 23-year-old Michigan woman who has gone viral on TikTok telling her story of how her mail-in DNA test linked her grandmother, who was living in Pindedale, Wyoming, to a decades-old death of a baby in Michigan.

DNA Test Links Pinedale Woman To 27-Year-Old Cold Case Of Dead Baby Found In Septic Pit

A 23-year-old Michigan woman says she was shocked to learn that her Ancestry DNA test kit helped lead to the arrest of her grandmother living in Pinedale, Wyoming. Michigan State Police say the DNA links the grandmother to a 27-year-old cold case of a dead baby found in a Michigan septic pit.

Jen KocherDecember 08, 2024

For 53 years, the only unsolved hijacking in the nation's history has remained one of world's greatest mysteries. The bombshell discovery of the parachute likely used by D.B. Cooper in his infamous hijacking may finally close the case.

Part 2: Who is D.B. Cooper? The Bombshell Discovery That Could Solve Infamous Hijacking

Part 2 of a series. For 53 years, the only unsolved hijacking in the nation's history has remained one of world's greatest mysteries. The bombshell discovery of the parachute likely used by D.B. Cooper in his infamous hijacking may finally close the case.

Jen KocherNovember 24, 2024

Dan Gryder unearthed a harness and canopy belonging to Richard McCoy II at his family's property in Cove City, North Carolina. Gryder is convinced this was the rig used in the D.B. Cooper hijacking in 1971. Richard McCoy II bore a stunning resemblance to the famed hijacker.

Who is D.B. Cooper? New Evidence May Crack One Of America’s Greatest Mysteries

A parachute found in an outbuilding in North Carolina could be the new evidence that may crack the 53-year-old D.B Cooper case. It could lead investigators to the identity the man who jumped out of a hijacked plane carrying $200,000.

Jen KocherNovember 23, 2024

Proposed Law Would Allow Permanent, Lifetime Protection Orders In Wyoming

Legislators will consider a new law allowing Wyoming judges to issue permanent, lifetime protection orders. Victims of sex assault, stalking and domestic violence say it could save them from repeatedly being re-victimized.

Jen KocherNovember 17, 2024

For nearly 30 years, the cremains of an unidentified man known as Coal Train Carlos has been buried in this grave marked "Unknown Man" at Mount Pisgah Cemetery in Gillette, Wyoming. His body was found frozen in a railcar at a Campbell County coal mine in 1995. This lifelike portrait of what he may have looked like was done by Carl Koppelmqn of California.

The 30-Year-Old Cold Case Of “Coal Train Carlos,” Found Frozen In A Railcar

It’s been nearly 30 years since the body of a mysterious unidentified man was found frozen in a railcar at a Wyoming coal mine. Dubbed "Coal Train Carlos,” authorities are no closer to identifying him, but a citizen sleuth has taken up the cold case.

Jen KocherNovember 17, 2024

A number of recent human-on-human crimes — including murder — have attempted to be covered up and blamed on bear attacks. But law enforcement and wildlife experts say it’s not hard to see through those bogus claims.

Trying To Get Away With Murder By Staging It As A Bear Attack Is A Bad Idea

A number of recent human-on-human crimes — including murder — have attempted to be covered up by blaming them on bear attacks. But law enforcement and wildlife officials say it’s a really bad strategy.

Jen KocherNovember 16, 2024

FBI Asks For Help To Find Crow Tribe 13-Year-Old Girl Missing More Than A Month

The FBI is asking for help to find Sa’Wade Birdinground, 13, a member of the Crow Tribe in Montana who was last seen Oct. 6 at a home near the Wyoming border. Searchers have used dogs, divers, drones and helicopters to find her, but no luck so far.

Jen KocherNovember 09, 2024

3D imaging of a John Doe whose badly decomposed remains were found in Cheyenne in November 2023. The imaging recreates what the man may have looked like, and with various features like with or without facial hair.

3D Imaging Helps Recreate Face Of John Doe Found In Cheyenne A Year Ago

DNA from a badly decomposed man found in Cheyenne in November 2023 hasn’t so far helped identify him. But the Laramie County coroner hopes new 3D imaging of what he may have looked like will.

Jen KocherNovember 08, 2024

Braigene Marcel Collins was reported missing when she didn't show up to work in September at the 49'er Inn & Suites in Jackson and her coworkers did a welfare check on her. The Teton County Sheriff's Office reported Nov. 1, 2024, that she's been found safe.

Jackson Hotel Worker Missing Since September Found Safe

A Jackson hotel worker missing since September has been located safely in another state, the Jackson Police Department announced Friday.

Jen KocherNovember 02, 2024

Members of the "Old Farts Society" Chuck Butler, George Dunlap and the group's oldest member, 90-year-old Bill Todd, get together at The Local in Gillette weekdays at 8 a.m. to solve the problems of the world.

Wyoming Coffee Klatch: Gillette’s Old Farts Talk Energy, Trump And “Ridiculous” Tax

At a meeting of the Gillette Old Farts Society coffee klatch earlier this week, one member said, "We're all a bunch of rednecks, and we think you should get to keep what you earn. So, if you work your butt off and earn money, you should get to keep it.”

Jen KocherOctober 27, 2024

Other Authors

Blue, who asked to be identified by her first name, attends a weeklong celebration in Colombia hosted by Afton, Wyoming-based Libertas International after its founder, Tyler Schwab, and his nonprofit helped rescue her from her sex trafficker, who was recently arrested in Argentina.

Wyoming Man Helps Rescue Girl Abused By Dad And Trafficked For Sex By Mom

When she was 7, her dad abused her, and her mother began sex trafficking her to men when she was 10. Now Blue is 18 and trying to help children after being rescued with the help of a Wyoming man and her new Cowboy State “mother.”

Jen KocherOctober 19, 2024

Jackson Hotel Worker Called In Sick A Month Ago, Hasn't Been Heard From Since

Police in Jackson, Wyoming, are asking for help in finding a 30-year-old hotel worker who’s been missing for a month. Braigene Collins called in sick to work Sept. 14 and hasn’t been heard from since.

Jen KocherOctober 17, 2024

Be Cautious With QR Codes: The Latest Scams Are Ingenious

Wyoming cybersecurity experts warn about a growing threat going into the holiday season — scanning QR codes with your phone. If you’re not careful, they can be yet another way digital thieves can rob you blind.

Jen KocherOctober 13, 2024

Andrea and Scott warner pose with Dale during a visit to the Wyoming Honor Conservation Camp outside Newcastle. Now 20, Dale Warner was 14 when he took guns to school and threatened to kill people. He now says he deserves to be in prison, and that it's saved his life.

At 14, Dale Warner Threatened School Killings In Gillette; Now He Says Prison Saved His Life

Dale Warner was 14 when he brought two guns to a Wyoming junior high school and threatened to kill people. Now 20 and serving a 12- to 20-year sentence, he says prison saved his life.

Jen KocherOctober 12, 2024

The 2024 Wyoming Smokebusters, back row from left: Crew Supervisor Shawn Ankeny, Robert Zaragoza, Sheldon Buckingham, Bryce Teran, John Murphy, Module Leader Jeremy Deplitch, Joshua Cole, Randy Stephens, Walter Eiden, Kevin Brown and Crew Supervisor Lee Loberg. Front row: Jared Millard, Christopher Robertson, Zachary Manning, Tyler Jones, James Skinner and Jeremiah Carson.

Wyoming Inmates Put To Work During Heartbreaking Wildfire Season

With more than 700,000 acres burned due to wildfires across the state of Wyoming, resources are tapped. Thankfully a crew of inmates known as the Smokebusters are helping the firefighters. So far, they have worked on 26 fires in eight counties.

Jen KocherOctober 06, 2024

Dr. George Harrison, pictured inset standing near the first tee at Rolling Green Country Club in Green River, was for decades the quintessential hometown doctor for Rock Springs and Sweetwater County. He was known for making house calls and refusing payment.

The Kindest Doctor In Wyoming: Remembering Rock Springs' Dr. George Harrison

Dr. George Harrison never turned down anyone, for any reason. Even 35 years after his death, people tear-up remembering his kindness -- mentioning his house calls at any hour, $3 office visits and refusing payment when people couldn't afford it.

Jen KocherSeptember 29, 2024

The Walmart Superstore in Riverton, Wyoming.

Riverton Man Could Get 10 Years For Skip-Scanning $2,200 Worth Of Football Cards

A Riverton man is accused of scanning cheap Post-it notes and other items instead of $2,200 worth of football trading cards at the local Walmart. The skip-scanning scam could get him 10 years in prison.

Jen KocherSeptember 23, 2024

Chris Hicks has spent half of his 38 years in prison for being an accessory in two Gillette murders in 2005.

Should Adults Convicted As Teens And Serving Life Sentences Get a Second Chance?

After Chris Hicks was convicted of conspiracy to commit two murders at age 19, he was sentenced to life without parole. Now 18 years later, his lawyer is trying to overturn the sentence to give him a second chance.

Jen KocherSeptember 22, 2024

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Nogales, Arizona, seized nearly $4.6 million in fentanyl and meth totaling close to 650 pounds in January 2019.

Rocky Mountain High: Utah "Absolutely Obliterates" Record For Fentanyl Seizures

In the first quarter of 2024, the DEA has seized a record number of fentanyl pills in the Rocky Mountain region and is on pace to break all records in the area. Utah “absolutely obliterated” its record for fentanyl seizures and Colorado is likely to break its record too.

Jen KocherSeptember 21, 2024

Teacher Erin Beck and the first class of students at Homestead Learning microschool in Campbell County, Wyoming.

Gillette Mothers Create Their Own Little Schoolhouse On The Wyoming Prairie

They call it a “microschool,” but in many ways, a pair of Gillette mothers have brought the one-room schoolhouse concept back. Starting with eight students, what they’ve built is literally their own little schoolhouse on the Wyoming prairie.

Jen KocherSeptember 15, 2024

Elderly Laramie Man Missing Three Weeks Found Dead In His Car

The family of a Laramie man who has been missing for three weeks said they were "devastated" to learn he was found dead in his vehicle Friday, having run off a road into a ravine in a rural part of Carbon County.

Jen KocherSeptember 14, 2024

Search Still On For Man Who Vanished In Wyoming On Way To See Kanye West In 2020

Authorities say they’re getting closer to determining what happened to a Washington, D.C., man who vanished in Wyoming, reportedly on his way to see Kanye West in 2020. Although four years old, they say the case isn’t cold.

Jen KocherSeptember 08, 2024

Jordan Jackson, left, died after he was sold fentanyl-laced drugs by Anthony Fuentes, right. Fuentes was given 15-20 years in prison for manslaughter in Jackson's death.

Wyoming Man Gets 15-20 Years In State’s First Fentanyl Overdose Conviction

A Wyoming man was given 15-20 years in prison Thursday for selling the fentanyl-laced drugs that killed a Cody man last year. It’s Wyoming’s first such conviction.

Jen KocherAugust 30, 2024

Wyoming State Forester, Kelly Norris, tells a packed crowd at a fire meeting at Cam-Plex Tuesday night how lightning strikes exacerbated the fire conditions in Campbell and surrounding counties between Aug. 20-21.

Worst Wildfires In Campbell County History Stretched Resources, Nerves

Fighting dozens of wildfires that burned nearly 450,000 acres over the past week has left Campbell County firefighters and locals frazzled.

Jen KocherAugust 28, 2024

A large plume of smoke rises from the Constitution Fire northeast of Gillette, which is also burning in some timber, which is more difficult to fight.

Northeast Wyoming Wildfires Getting Under Control, Teton Crews Still Fight Timber

A handful of large wildfires that have consumed nearly 460,000 acres across northern Wyoming and southern Montana are getting under control. But timber in the Fish Creek and Flat Rock fires hold heat longer than grasslands.

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 28, 2024

Renee Yeargain of Torrington, Wyoming, disappeared Aug. 9, 2004.

It’s Been 20 Years Since Renee Yeargain Disappeared From A Wyoming Rest Stop

It’s been two decades since Renee Yeargain fled her Torrington, Wyoming, home and disappeared at a highway rest stop. She’s still missing, but family and friends won’t give up investigating what happened to her.

Jen KocherAugust 25, 2024

Urgent Search On For Missing Laramie Man With Dementia

The family of Donnie Smith is urgently searching for him. He was last seen Wednesday, is 79 and suffering from dementia.

Jen KocherAugust 24, 2024

Huge plumes of smoke from the House Creek Fire as it burns past the home of Ashley Malcom near Buffalo, Wyoming. Malcom said the fire moved fast, but thankfully missed her property.

Northern Wyoming Wildfire Explodes To Nearly 200,000 Acres, Others Also Burning

A wildfire burning out of control in northern Wyoming east of Buffalo has exploded and is pushing 200,000 acres. Ranchers are scrambling to help fight that and other wildfires in the area to save their homes and animals.

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherAugust 22, 2024