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Jen Kocher

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The Wyoming Senate unanimously passed a bill to the House that would close loopholes in the state's protection orders regulations.

Wyoming Legislators Unanimous On Closing Protection Order Loopholes

Protection orders are getting a makeover by the Wyoming Legislature this session. Sailing through are bills to close loopholes that can leave victims unprotected and allow for permanent protection orders.

Jen KocherJanuary 23, 2025

Report: “Give Me A Hug Now,” Gillette Man Tells Mom After Shooting Sister In Head

A Gillette, Wyoming, man has been charged with second-degree murder on claims he killed his sister. Police report that after he shot his sister in the head, he told his mother, “Give me a hug, because I am going to jail.”

Clair McFarland & Jen KocherJanuary 22, 2025

The body of Brent Layman of Lander, Wyoming, missing for three months, was found March 5, 2025, in Utah.

Family Grows More Desperate To Find Lander Man Missing More Than A Month

The family of a Lander, Wyoming, man missing more than a month is growing more desperate to find him. His car was found in Utah, but there’s no other trace of Brent Layman.

Jen KocherJanuary 19, 2025

Gillette, Wyoming, police investigated the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center.

88-Year-Old Patient Found Dead Outside Gillette Assisted Living Center

Gillette, Wyoming, police confirmed Thursday they are investigating the death of an 88-year-old assisted living patient found dead outside in a courtyard of the Legacy Living and Rehabilitation Center. A cause of death hasn’t been released.

Jen KocherJanuary 16, 2025

Daring, Dangerous Undercover Operations Bust Up Cartel-Run Sex Trafficking

In a daring and dangerous move, the director of a Las Vegas nonprofit went undercover to infiltrate cartel-run sex trafficking networks. Working with law enforcement, the operation has rescued many young victims kidnapped in Mexico and the U.S.

Jen KocherDecember 28, 2024

Don Ohlin, aka Velcro, reaches his congregation at the Iron Horse Church and beyond through videos on YouTube and social media.

How A Loan Shark Enforcer Found His Calling As A Wyoming Biker Pastor

A former loan shark and enforcer who goes by the handle “Velcro” has a lot in common with the people he ministers to. The Cheyenne biker has found his calling helping prisoners find safe homes once they’re released from prison.

Jen KocherDecember 21, 2024

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

Other Authors

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

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

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