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Photograph of Jen Kocher.
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

A video screen shows a live feed of an old oil barrel found on the bottom of Fremont Lake. Searchers are hoping to find the bodies of Gerald Uden's ex-wife Virginia and two step-sons — Reagan, 10, above, and Richard, 11 — whom he murdered in 1980.

Barrel Found! Killer Had Told Cops Victims' Bodies In Barrels On Lake Bottom

Triple-murderer Gerald Uden says he put the bodies of his 1980 murder victims in barrels and sunk them in Fremont Lake, Wyoming's deepest. Officials were skeptical — until they found a barrel 388-feet deep last week. “You're shi**ing me!” a searcher said.

Zakary Sonntag & Jen KocherJuly 19, 2026

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Jane Doe Found Dead On I-25 On-Ramp In April ID'd As Wyoming Woman

The Jane Doe found dead on Interstate 25 near Cheyenne in April has been identified as Brittany Smith, a 37-year-old Wyoming woman. Smith was struck by a northbound Kia Sportage on the on-ramp from Missile Drive on April 20.

Jen KocherJuly 08, 2026

It’s been 44 years since a young Casper woman was found dead in the North Platte River with a rock tied around her neck. “It’s not too late. It’s never too late,” say those who haven’t given up on finding justice for Belynda May Grantham.

Sister Still Seeks Justice 44 Years After Casper Woman Found Dead In North Platte

It’s been 44 years since a young Casper woman was found dead in the North Platte River with a rock tied around her neck. The murder has never stopped haunting her older sister Rebecca. In failing health, Rebecca is hoping to find answers before she dies.

Jen KocherJuly 04, 2026

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Gillette Man Missing For 2 Weeks In Rugged Weston Hills Recreation Area

The Campbell County Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in locating a Gillette man missing for two weeks. The sheriff’s office have deployed drones, K-9 teams, and search and rescue personnel across the rugged terrain, but Schaff has not been found.

Jen KocherJune 30, 2026

A pair of twin genealogists are working to identify a John and Jane Doe found two months apart in Cheyenne earlier this year. "They don't have a voice," but their distinctive tattoos could help investigators track down who they are, said the sisters.

Who Are John And Jane Doe? Twin Genealogists Hope Tattoos Can ID Cheyenne Bodies

Twin genealogists are working to identify a John and Jane Doe found two months apart in Cheyenne earlier this year. “They don’t have a voice,” the sisters said, “but their distinctive tattoos could help investigators track down who they are.”

Jen KocherJune 27, 2026

A detective was about to fly to Wisconsin to arrest Roger Durkee when he got the news: Durkee was dead. He believes Durkee killed the “Shafter Jane Doe” 32 years ago, who spent 7 months in Wyoming shortly before her body was dumped along I-80.

After 32 Years, Suspected ‘Shafter Jane Doe’ Killer Avoided Justice By Dying

A detective was about to fly to Wisconsin to arrest the lead suspect in the 32-year cold case of a woman whose nude body was dumped along I-80 when he got the news the suspect was dead. The woman's time in Wyoming led to the breakthrough in the case.

Jen KocherJune 14, 2026

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