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Headshot of Cowboy State Daily reporter, 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 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

It’s been 52 years since the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders,” when four girls disappeared from Rawlins, Wyoming, in the summer of 1974. Who kidnapped and killed them remains a mystery, with notorious serial killers Ted Bundy, left, and Royal Long, right, among the suspects.

Rawlins Rodeo Murders, Part 2: Did Ted Bundy Kill Four Wyoming Girls 52 Years Ago?

In the second of a two-part series on the infamous "Rawlins Rodeo Murders" of 1974, many in the community believe serial killer Ted Bundy was responsible for the deaths of the four girls. Others pin the blame on long haul trucker Russell Royal Long.

Jen KocherJune 07, 2026

More than 50 years after four young girls vanished in the summer of 1974, what have become known as the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders” remain unsolved. "We lost our innocence. That summer we lost that. We were never again the same,” said one longtime resident.

More Than 50 Years Later, ‘Rawlins Rodeo Murders’ Of Young Girls Remain Unsolved

More than 50 years after four young girls vanished in what has become known as the “Rawlins Rodeo Murders," the case remains unsolved. "We lost our innocence. That summer we lost that. We were never again the same,” said one longtime resident.

Jen KocherJune 06, 2026

More than 32 years after her body was found along I-80, the woman known as “Shafter Jane Doe” has been identified, officials announced Thursday. Her nude body was posed on the ground, arms extended to either side in the shape of a cross.

32 Years After Her Posed Body Was Found Along I-80, ‘Shafter Jane Doe’ Identified

More than 32 years after her body was found along I-80, the woman known as “Shafter Jane Doe” has been identified, officials announced Thursday. Her nude body was posed on the ground, arms extended to either side in the shape of a cross.

Jen KocherJune 04, 2026

Julie Fitzsimons was killed when she was run down by a distracted motorist in downtown Sheridan.

Family Says 60-Day Sentence For Driver Who Killed Woman Brings Them ‘Deeper Grief’

The family of a woman killed by a distracted driver in downtown Sheridan a year ago said they feel slighted by the 60-day sentence he got Friday. It brings “deeper grief,” not closure, said the woman’s daughter.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

Bill Dohse of Find-911 and OSAR helped lead the search for reality television star Matt Brown from his mobile portable command center along the highway in Montana.

Cody-Based Search And Rescue Team Helps Find Body Of ‘Alaskan Bush People’ Star

A Cody-based search and rescue team helped coordinate the search for the body of “Alaskan Bush People” star Matt Brown. Brown’s body was found Sunday after he went missing four days earlier after allegedly shooting himself along a Washington state river.

Jen KocherJune 01, 2026

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