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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

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

Yellowstone County Sheriff Kent O'Donnell talks about how DNA extracted from decades-old fingerprint cards solved the 48-year-old murder of a 16-year-old Billings, Montana, girl.

Case Closed: DNA From Fingerprint Cards Solves 48-Year-Old Murder Of Billings Girl

DNA taken from five fingerprint cards nearly a half-century old finally solved the murder of 16-year-old Corina Contreraz, who was killed in Billings, Montana, in 1978. "Her spirit is finally free, and we can breathe again," said the girl's cousin.

Jen KocherOctober 04, 2026

David Crouch, 27, went missing while camping in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in August 1997. His disappearance has haunted retired Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland for nearly three decades.

Now Retired, Wyoming Sheriff Still Haunted 29 Years After Camper Went Missing

David Crouch, 27, went missing while camping in the Bridger-Teton National Forest in August 1997. He was last seen on the banks of Island Lake with a fishing rod in hand. His disappearance has haunted retired Sublette County Sheriff Hank Ruland for nearly three decades.

Jen KocherOctober 02, 2026

Rising from obliterated remnants scattered along a Wyoming highway after the delivery truck was blown over in a windstorm, the revived herd painted by Wyoming artists raised $100,000 in a fundraiser for the Rockpile Museum.

Auction Raises $100K After Artists Recreate Pronghorn Sculptures Smashed By Wind

After a truck full of painted pronghorn sculptures was demolished on a windy Wyoming highway last year, artists regrouped and recreated 10 more sculptures for a Gillette Rockpile Museum Association fundraiser. The auction earlier this month raised more than $100,000.

Jen KocherSeptember 27, 2026

The remains of 43-year-old Gillette man Derek Schaff, missing more than three months, were found Saturday by a K-9 named Taz during an extensive search of the Weston Hills Recreation Area. John LaBrec and his K-9 Taz came from Jackson Hole to help search. 

Remains Of Gillette Man Missing More Than Three Months Found In Rugged Terrain

The remains of a 43-year-old Gillette man missing more than three months were found Saturday by a K-9 named Taz during an extensive search of the Weston Hills Recreation Area. “I wouldn’t have seen the guy without (Taz),” said the K-9's handler.

Jen KocherSeptember 22, 2026

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