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Features, Investigative Reporter

Jen Kocher

Jen Kocher is Cowboy State Daily's reporter in Gillette, Wyoming.

Hard-hitting, thorough, and relentless, Kocher is a bulldog who prides herself in finding the stories that are challenging, meaningful, and difficult for others to attempt.

Originally from Pittsburgh, Jennifer has lived all over the West and moved to Wyoming just under a decade ago where shes written for dozens of magazines and publications throughout the state.

With masters degrees in creative writing and nonfiction and several awards under her belt, she loves writing features and long-form stories as well.

Outside of work, Jennifer loves anything to do with birds, wine, hiking or traveling.

Latest from Jen Kocher

For nearly three decades, the Teton County Sheriff’s Office has worked to identify human bones found scattered in the pines near Cache Creek on the Bridger-Teton National Forest in the summer of 1998.

Investigators Try Again To ID Human Bones Found On Teton County Trail In 1998

Investigators have sent a human bone found in 1998 in the Bridger-Tetons to the DNA Doe Project for forensic investigative genealogy. The Teton County Sheriff's Office is hopeful, with forensic science evolving, this can be a break they've been waiting for.

Jen KocherNovember 01, 2026

Another Utah victim of notorious serial killer Ted Bundy has been identified in 17-year-old Melissa Smith.

Another Utah Bundy Victim Confirmed Using Breakthrough DNA Testing

More than 50 years after a 17-year-old Utah girl was killed, officials confirmed Tuesday that Melissa Smith is conclusively linked to notorious serial killer Ted Bundy. The announcement comes on the 52nd anniversary of the day her nude body was discovered.

Jen KocherOctober 27, 2026

Nearly 30 years after the naked body 18-year-old Tonya Teske of Shoshoni was found decomposing along an Idaho highway, investigators are still pushing to solve the cold case. It doesn’t help that some of the evidence was destroyed in 2008.

After 30 Years, Murder Of Shoshoni Woman Left Naked Along Highway Still Unsolved

Nearly 30 years after the naked body of an 18-year-old Shoshoni woman was found decomposing along an Idaho highway, investigators are still pushing to solve the cold case. It doesn’t help that some of the evidence was destroyed in 2008.

Jen KocherOctober 25, 2026

Dan Knievel and Nick Boltin returned to Gillette after successful careers to launch their cybersecurity startup, White Hat Rescue. Here, Nick sets up a secure server for a client.

Gillette Cybersecurity Duo On Mission To Stop Cyber-Hackers From Destroying Lives

Last week, a Gillette woman inadvertently handed over control of everything — bank accounts, credit cards, etc. to an online scammer. The police couldn't help but a local cybersecurity duo stopped the criminal just in time. He was trying to access her house deed.

Jen KocherOctober 18, 2026

Janelle Johnson, 23, was hitchhiking home from Denver after attending an appointment at a modeling agency in February 1983 when she was murdered, and her nude body was found nearly a week later off a rural road in Fremont County. To date, her murder remains unsolved.

New DNA Technology Could Crack 1983 Murder Of Aspiring Model In Fremont County

Investigators hope new forensic DNA technology can help them solve the 1983 Fremont County, Wyoming, murder of Jannele Johnson, a 23-year-old aspiring model who was hitchhiking from Riverton to Denver. "It would mean everything," her younger sister says.

Jen KocherOctober 10, 2026

Federal and state law enforcement says Wyoming teens are being targeted by a disturbing and violent online extremist group called “764.” Kids across the nation are coerced into sex acts, satanic rituals and hurting pets and other people, they say.

Officials Say Wyoming Teens Targeted By Violent Online Extremist Group ‘764’

Federal and state law enforcement officials say Wyoming teens are being targeted by a violent online extremist group called “764.” Kids across the nation are coerced into sex acts, satanic rituals, and hurting pets and other people, they say.

Jen KocherOctober 04, 2026

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