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Blinn Student's Killer Still at Large, Police Take New DNA Samples Save Email Print
Posted: 10:28 PM Sep 3, 2008
Last Updated: 11:17 PM Sep 3, 2008
Reporter: Ashlea Sigman
Email Address: sigman@kbtx.com

A | A | A

Students are back on campus for Blinn's fall semester. Just a stone's throw away, is Jenna Verhaalen's old apartment.

That's where the the 20-year-old was found dead, in early April. "I drove by to go to class and I saw the CSI van," said neighbor Austin Reyna.

Gone are the flowers friends and family set on her porch. Now the complex has a new coat of paint, and the apartment has a new resident.

So far, there's been no justice for Jenna.

Originally police had several persons of interests. "They've been ruled out by DNA," said Bryan Police Assistant Chief, Curtis Darby.

Detectives originally stressed the killer was most likely someone Jenna knew. However, now Darby says investigators are "just kinda trying to keep an open mind. I think at this point and time in the investigation it could be anybody."

Jenna's co-workers at Wings-N-More, on University Avenue in College Station, have been wearing ribbons in her honor.

Although he didn't want to speak on camera, Jenna's former manager says he is frustrated the case has gone unsolved this long.

He says several Wings-N-More employees were asked to submit DNA last week.

Bryan Police say they are just retracing their steps, and searching for new leads.

"The guys back there in major crimes are doing that and they haven't given up," said Darby.

Detectives have interviewed over 100 people for the case.

"I feel confident that someday, when that day is, I don't know, whether its next week, next year. When it is I don't know, but at some point and time I think there will be that DNA match," said Darby.

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Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 9, 2008 at 11:36 AM
As a personal friend of Jenna's, I am angered everyday that this case has not been solved. However, I do not take my frustrations out on the BPD who are doing all they can to solve this case, and I would hope that the rest of you could do the same. Jenna was a fun girl with the best sense of humor anyone could have. She was kind, and loving, and I hope that those of us can keep that in mind during this time. I do ask that KBTX continue to cover this story and help us keep this story in the public eye until we find her killer.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 8, 2008 at 04:22 PM
Is your report more sound now that the public has the apartment number? Don't you think that is going a little too far? Have some respect for Jenna, her family, friends and the new resident.

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 6, 2008 at 09:28 PM
Bryan needs some help on this. We are having to many murders go unsolved in the city.

Posted by: Thomas Location: Bryan on Sep 6, 2008 at 01:56 AM
Maybe BPD needs to round up all the illegal aliens that are roaming our streets. I'm sure one of them have something to do with this crime! Reason College Station doesn't have a murder rate for last year is because they don't have illegals roaming their neighborhoods. It's not uncommon for these illegals to break into houses/cars and commit sexual assaults. They sit in jail and then are released right back onto the streets.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan. on Sep 5, 2008 at 09:48 AM
We have many Murders BPD is working on. See BPD web-site. Brazos crime stoppers site. If you have 4 or 6 murders a year like in Bryan in 5 years that is 20-30 murders that they have to work on. Remember we are a small town. Crime Data from TX DPS.org showed we had 6 murders last reporting year. CS-0 We also had a few murders in the county just outside bryan in The past few years not counted in the Bryan numbers. When you factor in all the AGG. Assaults{Very High rate} we are lucky we do not have more murders. This is the 1st murder that has stayed in the news. It needs to stay in the news. We have swept this Bryan crime problem under the rug for more then 24-years now. Why is Bryan 2-6 times higher in all rated crime then CS? Why does Bryan have one of the highest rates of crime per capita in the State of Texas? See. area connect crime compare.com

Posted by: Anonymous Location: BCS on Sep 4, 2008 at 10:07 PM
We have to get her killer and they other killers in bryan off the streets. KBTX needs to run a report on the other murders in Bryan also.

Posted by: CR Location: cs on Sep 4, 2008 at 08:13 PM
My prayers go out to her family. It is hard enough to lose a sister and a daughter, I just wish them closure. They are such good people and a close family. I know the BPD are working as hard as possible to put the pieces together.

Posted by: Janie Location: Franklin on Sep 4, 2008 at 05:09 PM
Why did you have to show the apt. #?? How does this make the new occupants feel? Shame on you

Posted by: For Alex Location: C.S. on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Where did you get your information on the DNA database? I wanted to educate myself on such databases and when DNA samples are taken before I post a comment. Thanks you.

Posted by: To Alex Location: B/CS on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:30 PM
Do you ever have anything positive to say about the police? You bash them on every post at every turn. Just curious.

Posted by: Ruthie Location: Bryan on Sep 4, 2008 at 12:11 PM
The police officers and investigators with the Bryan PD are not the enemy here, folks. These men and women are honorable, courageous, dedicated servants of the community. They have family in the community, including wives, children, parents. Don't you think they want these crimes solved as much as you do. You might say a prayer for them to be able to find the right clues.

Posted by: to Janet on Sep 4, 2008 at 11:23 AM
Janet, I think you are confused! Check your stories before you post a comment.

Posted by: katie on Sep 4, 2008 at 10:41 AM
that was a life?? she meant alot to her family and friends! something needs to be done!!!

Posted by: Anonymous on Sep 4, 2008 at 08:57 AM
i think the person that took this young womans life need to come forward. what if this was you and your family was going day by day wondering if the found the person that killed one of their siblings. don't be scared now whoever murdered this young woman how do you sleep at night knowing that her family and friends are not. you weren't scared to do the crime so don't be scared to do the time.

Posted by: Alex Location: Bryan on Sep 4, 2008 at 08:14 AM
Also, lazy policework isn't an excuse to violate people's privacy. I'm alarmed people would allow DNA samples to be taken this way. Wake up. Where will that DNA sample go? A flimsy excuse to expand their DNA database (which is shared internationally with places like Israel.)

Posted by: Alex Location: Bryan on Sep 4, 2008 at 08:12 AM
So little coverage - hadn't even heard this until now. I know the media and university recruiters are terrified it is someone they "recruited" to get the "numbers" where they want them for their 2020 plan.

Posted by: Janet Location: Caldwell on Sep 4, 2008 at 06:46 AM
No one is born to cheat, we make our own choices. That is one thing wrong in our society today no one wants or has to take responsibilty for their actions.

Posted by: Anonymous Location: Bryan on Sep 3, 2008 at 10:44 PM
This is not the only murder we have in Bryan that is not solved. We have to many killers walking the streets of bryan. See BPD website for a few more murders not solved in the last few years.

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