December 13, 2023 • 36 mins
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Who was Jennifer Servo? What dreams did she hold, and what secrets lay behind her innocent eyes? Join us as we unravel the captivating yet tragic journey of this young, aspiring news anchor whose life was brutally cut short in 2002. From her humble beginnings in Montana, her audacious pursuit of a national TV news anchor position, to her final steps in her new apartment in Texas, we relive Jennifer's life and dreams.
Brace yourself as we traverse through the spine-chilling unsolved murder case in the second half. Despite several leads and suspects, including her ex-boyfriend and a colleague, the lack of definitive evidence has left this case unresolved. We'll also shed light on the Memorial Award named in her honor and echo a plea for any information that could lead to closure. Listen as we try to make sense of the senseless, navigate through this poignant narrative, and hopefully, spark a flicker of justice for Jennifer Servo.
Source Material: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Ahe5Trp3NCi3jfSSyXeJUUuNwytGpBwcylel5-Ko4I4/edit?usp=sharing
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Welcome back crime connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D, andright off the bat I want to let
you guys know that today's casewill leave you wanting to scream
.
I've been going down the rabbithole in this case for so long.
We're going back to 2002.
A bright young woman with apromising future moves from her
(00:21):
home state of Montana to Texasto start her career as a news
anchor.
As she quickly settles in andbegins the life of her dreams,
tragedy strikes.
The gruesome scene that firstresponders walked into left them
with more questions thananswers.
Now, 21 years later, her casestill remains unsolved.
(00:42):
This is the case of JenniferServo.
(01:22):
Jennifer Lin Servo was born onSeptember 23, 1979 to Sherri
Servo Olson and Norman Olson inWhitefish, montana.
Jennifer was raised in ColumbiaFalls, where she was involved
in the Columbia Falls swim andvolleyball teams.
She was manager for the boysbasketball team and was a
(01:44):
cheerleader all throughout highschool.
Her teacher, dan Fairbank,nominated Jennifer to the United
States Achievement Academy asUnited States National Winner in
History and Government.
The criteria for selection werea student's academic
performance, interest andaptitude, leadership qualities,
(02:07):
responsibility, enthusiasm,motivation to learn and improve
citizenship, attitude andcooperative spirit,
dependability and recommendationfrom a teacher.
Her family and friends wereincredibly proud of this award.
Jennifer worked at the Big SkyWater Slides in Columbia Falls
(02:30):
and Gary and Leo's grocery storeduring high school.
In 1996, when she turned 17,jennifer decided to join the
Army Reserves, much against hermother, sherri's wishes.
Jennifer said it would help payfor her college, be an
adventure and allow her totravel to places she wouldn't
(02:51):
have seen otherwise Knowing.
Once Jen made up her mind,there was no changing it, so
Sherri unwillingly signed theenlistment papers Later,
realizing this would moldJennifer into a very confident,
mature young woman.
In the summer of 1997, she wentto basic training.
(03:13):
Jennifer attended her monthlytraining sessions in Missoula
and was a specialist in the347th quartermaster for almost
six years.
She was trained in waterpurification and later accepted
the duties of retention officerfor her unit.
(03:33):
Jennifer graduated from ColumbiaFalls High School in 1998.
She left on graduation night togo to her Army IT training and
could not attend her graduationparty.
Her mother tried to get her topush the date back on the
training so she could share thememories of the party with her
friends, but Jennifer said itwould not fit in her schedule
(03:55):
for college.
She wanted to move forward tothe next step that would take
her to her goal of reporting.
During IT training, jenniferwas made the squad leader in her
barracks.
She was proud of how she couldhandle the machine guns and
learned how to throw grenades.
The Army taught her everythingthat helped make her a very
(04:19):
confident, mature young woman,knowing she could do anything
she set her mind to.
Jennifer attended the Universityof Montana from 1998 to 2002
and was accepted into the Schoolof Journalism during her junior
year.
During her freshman year ofcollege, her Army Reserve unit
(04:40):
was sent to El Salvador topurify water for the people
after her hurricane destroyedhalf of the country.
She was so excited about doingwhat she was trained to do and
to help those in need.
She also got her firsttelevision job her freshman year
at K-Pax TV in Missoula.
(05:00):
Jen accepted the position atK-Pax TV despite the early hours
and a full course load atschool.
She was willing to do anythingto get her foot in the door and
it wasn't long before she did afew stories for the evening news
.
In her junior year, jenniferwent to work for KECI TV, where
(05:20):
she gained experience inreporting.
She completed her internshipfor the station in the summer of
2001.
While at KECI-TV, jenniferbalanced a full university
workload and reported news onthe weekend newscasts.
She tackled the news businesswith integrity and ambition.
(05:41):
She also worked as a newsanchor for KUFM Public Radio
Station during her senior year,where she was heard daily on the
5 o'clock news.
Only the best journalismstudents get this opportunity.
Jennifer was involved in thestation, winning the regional
Edward R Murrow Award.
(06:03):
Her goal was to follow in thefootsteps of Katie Couric and
become a national TV news anchorwoman.
With Jennifer's determinationand toughness of spirit, there
was no doubt from anyone whoknew her that she would reach
her goals.
Jennifer graduated from theUniversity of Montana in May of
(06:23):
2002.
A month later, around mid-June,jennifer met a man named Ralph
Sipilveda during her ArmyReserve training.
Ralph was 34, 12 years olderthan Jennifer.
He was a former Army Ranger andbecame an instructor, meaning
he was Jennifer's superior.
(06:44):
The two were crazy about eachother instantly, though.
Jennifer was offered her firstfull-time news reporter job near
the end of June at KRBCTelevision News in Abilene,
texas.
She was so excited to be on herway to her new career.
Knowing this was a steppingstone to the bigger markets,
(07:08):
jennifer introduced Ralph to herfamily over the 4th of July
holiday weekend.
Her family could tell howsmitten they were with each
other, but there was justsomething about him that they
didn't like.
She told her family how Ralphwould be moving down there with
her when she moved to Abilene,texas.
Now, even though there wassomething about him that they
(07:29):
didn't like, it slightly easedthem knowing that she would have
someone down there that sheknew.
Her mother helped her move toTexas an adventure for the both
of them, as they were Montanagirls not experienced in driving
in the big cities.
On July 16, 2002, jennifer andher mother started their road
(07:51):
trip from Montana to her newhome in Abilene, texas.
Ralph stayed behind in Montanafor a few extra days Along the
way, jennifer and her motherstayed overnight in a hotel in
Wyoming on their way to Abilene.
Two days later, on July 18,jennifer and her mother arrived
(08:12):
in Abilene early in the morning.
Later that day, jennifer placeda deposit on the apartment at
Hunter's Ridge and she and hermother began unpacking.
Ralph arrived in Abilene in arental truck with Jennifer's cat
, mr Banks, on July 20.
Later that day, sherry flewback home to Montana, leaving
(08:35):
her car behind for Jennifer touse in Abilene.
The next day, jennifer's sister, krista, gave birth to a baby
girl, becoming an aunt for thefirst time when her niece was
born.
As much as Jennifer would haveloved to be there to meet her
new niece, she started her firstday at KRBC-TV as a field
(08:56):
reporter.
The very next day, on the 22nd.
It was apparent to those sheworked with that Jennifer
wouldn't be sticking aroundpermanently.
She had so much talent and itwould be no time before she was
making moves in the industry.
She was beautiful, intelligentand talented.
(09:16):
She quickly made friends withher new coworkers and settled
into her new life in Abilene.
Everything was going well forJennifer.
She was succeeding at her newjob, her boyfriend had moved in
with her and things were good.
However, sometime around August10, 2002, jennifer discovered
(09:38):
two disturbing secrets thatRalph had been keeping from her.
She learned that he had afiance whom he had promptly
broken up with when they firstmet.
She also found out that he hada child whom he never saw.
Her sister, krista, said quote.
That was really upsetting toher.
(09:59):
That was pretty much a dealbreaker for her end quote.
Jennifer broke up with Ralphand asked him to move out of her
apartment, and he did.
The two decided that they wouldremain friends.
Ralph moved out of Jennifer'sapartment, but he didn't go far.
He remained in Abilene andmoved to an apartment complex
(10:21):
near Jennifer's.
Jennifer tried to move on fromthe breakup with Ralph by
focusing on her career andhaving fun with friends.
A week after the breakup shewent with friends to the Texas
Rangers baseball game inArlington, texas, one of whom
was a co-worker, 23-year-oldBrian Travers, who was the
weatherman for KRBC TV the dayafter the baseball game.
(10:46):
Ralph emotionally askedJennifer to get back together,
but she refused.
She told him it's just notgoing to work out with them.
He tried again a week later,but Jennifer's answer remained
the same no.
Another week later, aroundAugust 24, 2002, ralph and
(11:07):
Jennifer talked again.
He tries again to convince herto give him another chance, but
she sticks to her guns andrefuses.
Jennifer was really bothered bythe fact that Ralph had kept
the engagement from her and thathe had had a child that he
never saw or communicated with.
This is around the last time.
(11:28):
Friends and family believe thatJennifer and Ralph had contact
with one another.
However, it's unclear whetherJennifer saw him in person or
spoke to him over the phone,according to Brian Travers in a
news article from CBS News quoteA whole new world was being
opened up for her and a weightwas lifted off her shoulders.
(11:50):
She was just so exuberant abouthim being out of there.
End quote.
On September 15, 2002, jenniferleft work after the 10 pm news
had aired and ran errands withBrian.
They picked up a coffee tablefrom a friend's apartment and
then stopped at a Walmart for alate night shopping run, where
(12:13):
security cameras captured themat around 10.45 pm.
After the errands, jenniferdropped Brian off at his home
before heading back to herapartment.
Three days later, on September18, 2002, toby Dagenhart, the
news director at the NBCaffiliate KRBC TV, grew
(12:35):
concerned when he didn't hearfrom Jennifer.
Jennifer loved her job so muchand wanted to advance her career
that she would take anyopportunity they had offered to
her for reporting.
So it was odd that when hetried to call her over the days
that she was off to come in dueto a short staffing, that he
never heard back from her.
(12:56):
A fellow KRBC TV reporter whowas friends with Jennifer
stopped by her apartment andnoticed that the blinds on her
front door were down, which wasalso odd.
You see, jennifer's cat, mrBanks, liked to look outside and
she always left the blinds opena little bit for him.
(13:16):
Toby decided to call themaintenance department of
Jennifer's apartment complex,thinking maybe she had fallen,
and wasn't able to reach thephone.
While waiting for a call backfrom the maintenance department,
toby heard on KRBC's policescanner about police activity at
Jennifer's complex for apossible DOA.
Toby decided to head over tothe apartment complex and meet
(13:39):
with maintenance about thewelfare check in person.
An assignment manager in thenewsroom fell to her knees,
covered her head and loudlyscreamed.
Upon hearing this information,fellow KRBC reporter Downey
Bowles, now County Judge ofTaylor County, texas, tried to
(13:59):
calm the assignment manager bysaying quote maybe it's not her,
maybe that's another call thatthey're going out to.
We've got to listen to it andsee what it is.
End quote.
Shortly after Toby, dagenhartcalled the newsroom and
confirmed it was Jennifer'sapartment, and then he gave the
(14:20):
tragic news that Jennifer hadbeen murdered.
When police entered theapartment, they were met with a
grueling sight.
There were blood stains allthroughout the home.
Jennifer was found in thebathtub strangled with blunt
force trauma to her head.
There was bruising consistentwith sexual assault.
(14:41):
Yet she was found fully clothed.
Police discovered Jennifer'scar in the parking lot and found
that there was no forced entry,leading them to believe that
Jennifer knew her attacker andthat the degree of violence
indicated rage.
Police believed that the crime,at the very least, was sexually
motivated.
They were unable to locate amurder weapon, but it was also
(15:07):
determined that several itemswere missing from Jennifer's
apartment.
The items included a guestpurse, square tote with an Eva
model on it, a Kyosara brandcell phone, model 2135, three
seasons of the series Sex andthe City on DVD, saving Private
(15:28):
Ryan on DVD and keys.
Detectives David Atkins and JeffBell of the Abilene Police
Department were assigned toJennifer's case.
They told CBS News quote whenwe first got in, we noticed that
there were obvious signs thatan assault had occurred.
End quote.
Detective Atkins explained thatthe medical examiner determined
(15:52):
Jennifer was strangled and hadblunt force trauma and how
either or both actions couldhave killed her.
The detectives collectedevidence from the crime scene,
including DNA, hair andfingerprints.
The investigation quickly wentunderway and first up for
questioning was the last personto have seen her alive, brian
(16:15):
Travers.
Brian told the police thatafter grocery shopping, jennifer
helped him unload his groceriesinto his home and then drove
away, which was the last timethat he had seen her.
Brian and Jennifer had brieflyhooked up and Brian had
developed feelings for Jennifer,but she just didn't feel the
same.
Instead, she just wanted to befriends and Brian agreed.
(16:37):
He seemed upset aboutJennifer's murder and asked
about the family.
After his initial interactionwith the police, brian's parents
hired an attorney To Jennifer'sfamily.
This was suspicious, but givenwhat we know now about the
justice system and how thingscan be twisted, it's always a
(16:58):
good idea to have an attorneywhen you are a suspect of a
crime, especially that of amurder, even if you're innocent.
The next time the detectives andBrian spoke, brian recounted
the events of the night that helast saw Jennifer.
Everything was the same asbefore, until he mentioned
(17:21):
Jennifer feeling like she wasbeing followed.
He told detectives that afterJennifer talked about being
followed, he offered to walk herback to the car at the end of
the night, but she declined.
Now this makes my spidey sensestingle as a woman, if I feel
like I'm being followed, I noteit with someone and I will
(17:42):
certainly avoid going alonesomewhere.
If I feel like that and someoneoffers to walk me to my car so
I'm not alone, you bet yourbottom dollar.
I am saying yes, please, andthen thanking them afterwards.
Ladies, am I alone on this?
Or do you feel me?
Because I feel like 99.9% ofwomen would feel this way, if
(18:05):
they're feeling like they'rebeing followed.
Well, my spidey senses weren'tthe only ones going off, because
Brian's story didn't add up.
Police pulled Jennifer's phonerecords and determined that
shortly after she got home,around 12.30 am on September 16,
2002.
There was a phone call from herex-boyfriend, dave Warren, who
(18:29):
she was still friends with, wholived in Montana.
When the police spoke with Dave, he said that Jennifer seemed
completely normal and unbotheredand that she never mentioned
feeling like she was beingfollowed.
Because of Jennifer and Dave'sphone call, it was determined
that Jennifer's killer arrivedafter 1.30 am.
(18:51):
A neighbor later reportedhearing a few loud noises coming
from Jennifer's apartmentaround 3 am.
Jennifer had lived in Abilene,texas, for exactly 61 days and
died just one week before her23rd birthday.
Now, in a bizarre coincidence,this was the second murder at
(19:14):
the same apartment complex inthe same year.
There was also a KRBCconnection with the other murder
.
Alan Wayne Brubaker was chargedwith killing his roommate
Russell Crowley with a hammer inthe same apartment complex.
After the murder, alan bicycledto KRBC and confessed to the
(19:39):
murder to the employees.
Such a wild coincidence OnSeptember 26, 2002, around 300
people shuffled into theNorthridge Lutheran Church to
(20:01):
say their final goodbyes to ayoung, vibrant soul.
The lobby of the church wasfilled with photographs
depicting Jennifer's life.
It included photos of Jenniferas a cheerleader at Columbia
Falls High School and one as agraduating senior from the
University of Montana.
On a nearby rack, her blue highschool letter jacket and her
(20:24):
green Army Reserves jacket hungproudly.
During his eulogy, um Radiotelevision professor Bill
Knowles said quote she was knownand loved by everyone around
her and everyone who taught her.
End quote.
Jennifer was rememberedthroughout the service for her
(20:44):
endless energy and desire tosucceed as a television reporter
.
Her sister, krista Slayton,also provided a eulogy.
She said.
The last words they said duringa phone call were I love you.
She continued in her eulogyquote thank you for being my
sister, jen.
I know you are with God now andI know I will see you again.
(21:08):
End quote.
The service was led by ReverendDan Haskett, who read aloud a
tribute from Jennifer's father,norman Olson, quote I will never
understand why my daughter wastaken away from me.
Jennifer was murdered.
That weighs heavy on us.
(21:31):
A person filled with sicknessor evil took her life.
End quote.
Following the service, jenniferwas cremated and her ashes were
scattered over Flathead Lake.
As we know, when Jennifer movedto Abilene, she had moved with a
boyfriend, ralph Sepulveda.
(21:52):
Rumors began to circulate thathe was involved in her murder.
He was the ex-boyfriend who hadtried getting Jennifer to give
him another chance, but shewouldn't.
So it only makes sense thatRalph was next up on police's
radar.
When Ralph was told thatJennifer was dead, he didn't
seem phased and he never askedhow she died.
(22:14):
He had started to cooperatewith the police, but that was
short-lived.
According to Detective Bell,ralph didn't cry, didn't seem
shocked nor devastated at thenews of Jennifer's death.
Granted, everyone reacts andgrieves differently, but
something about his nothingnesswas odd to detectives.
(22:36):
Ralph told detectives that hehadn't seen Jennifer in three
weeks, which also matched whatJennifer's family and friends
have told them.
A red flag here is that Ralph,who was so crazy about Jennifer
that he uprooted his life onlyafter a few weeks of dating her,
did not go to her funeral orcall her family with his
(22:59):
condolences.
Ralph quickly stoppedcooperating with the police and
refused to have any more contactwith them.
He also refused to take apolygraph test.
Now, I don't really take muchstock in this, though, because
polygraphs are inadmissible incourt, and, like my girls from
Crimejunk, you say Always askfor a lawyer, even when you're
(23:22):
innocent, and never take apolygraph.
When they asked Ralph for analibi, he said he was alone in
his apartment.
In an interview with CBS Newsfriend and former KRBC TV anchor
woman, jennifer Lauren, talkedabout her conversation with
Jennifer.
According to Lauren, jenniferconfided in her about what Ralph
(23:47):
liked to do in bed.
She said quote she did tell meone time that she did not like
the way he treated her when theywere together intimately, that
he liked to choke her while theywere having sex, and she did
not like that.
End quote.
Now, no kink shame here.
As long as it is consensualbetween both parties, cool, get
(24:12):
your thing on, but given thatJennifer told her friend she
didn't like it, and you add that, together with the fact that
she was strangled and sexuallyassaulted, that's another red
flag.
The Amaline Police Departmenthas perpetually pursued Ralph as
the prime suspect.
(24:32):
They claim that they've nearlycleared Brian Travers of all
suspicion and have acircumstantial case against
Ralph, but not enough physicalevidence to get a conviction.
Remember, the police collectedDNA, hair and fingerprints from
the crime scene.
There were two matches of maleDNA found inside Jennifer's
(24:54):
apartment.
The DNA belonged to BrianTravers and Ralph Sipple Beta.
Both men had admitted and wereknown to have been inside
Jennifer's apartment and therewas no way to determine how long
the DNA had been there.
The case went cold.
After this, the monthscontinued to pass by with no new
(25:16):
developments in the case, andin September 2003, it was the
first anniversary of Jennifer'smurder.
Travers had followed up on ahandful of leads and tips, but
there needed to be more concreteevidence to file any charges.
On September 18, 2003,detective Jeff Bell implied that
(25:40):
they had a main suspect butlacked evidence.
He stated quote I know a lot,but the hard part is being able
to prove it in court.
Another person of interest waspublicly identified in September
of 2007.
Brian Travers had worked withJennifer at the news station and
(26:02):
he and Jennifer had beenromantically involved at one
point.
Investigators announced thatBrian had cooperated throughout
all of the investigation andthey had verified facts from his
story.
Nevertheless, detective Bellsaid quote he's still not to
where we can say we're sure hehad nothing to do with it.
End quote.
(26:22):
Brian professed his innocenceand told the Chattanooga Times
Free Press that he understoodwhy investigators were looking
into him and why they couldn'trule him out.
He revealed that he was thelast person to see Jennifer
alive, other than the person whokilled her.
Jennifer's family stood byBrian, with Sherry stating quote
(26:47):
I'm positive that Brian hadnothing to do with Jen's murder.
He loved her and he was a goodfriend to her as she was to him.
I know she wouldn't want him tobe scrutinized like this end
quote.
Jennifer's sister echoed thesentiment, revealing that Brian
had offered to take a polygraphexamination, but the
(27:08):
investigators refused.
In January 2003, investigatorswere hopeful that the case could
be solved when Sherry receivedthree overdue book notices from
the library of Jennifer's almamater, the University of Montana
.
Four books were checked out ofthe library in October of 2002,
(27:34):
one month after Jennifer waskilled.
Since Jennifer's purse had beenstolen, it was speculated that
the books were checked out withher card, which her killer had
presumably stolen.
Unfortunately, the library hadno video surveillance and no
employees could rememberchecking the books out.
Investigators had no way oftelling whether Jennifer's card
(27:58):
was actually used or was itsimply an error on the library's
part and the trail went coldagain.
It wouldn't be for another sixyears before there was any
movement on Jennifer's case.
In 2008, a news anchor named AnnPresley was murdered in an
eerily similar manner toJennifer.
(28:19):
Ann was a beautiful young womanwith striking similarities to
Jennifer.
Both were blonde and young andnews anchors.
Both were sexually assaultedand murdered in their apartments
.
Police arrested 29-year-oldCurtis Vance for Ann's murder.
They were able to link him toher by DNA.
(28:43):
There were thoughts that hecould be responsible for
Jennifer's murder too, giving aglimmer of hope to Jennifer's
family to get closure.
Finally, unfortunately,curtis's DNA did not match any
DNA found in Jennifer'sapartment.
Today, ralph and Brian are thetwo main persons of interest in
(29:06):
the murder, and neither of whichhave been ruled out.
Their DNA was found atJennifer's apartment and both
adamantly denied any involvement.
There was also a thirdunidentified person of interest.
The day that Jennifer wasmurdered, she had been shopping
with Brian when she supposedlytold him she feared she was
being followed.
(29:27):
Unfortunately, theinvestigation was hampered by a
lack of DNA evidence.
At the one-year anniversary, alab in Fort Worth took a more
in-depth look at the crime scenein the hopes that they could
uncover a tiny trace of evidencethat could lead toward a
(29:47):
suspect or even rule a suspectout.
Hair evidence had beencollected from the crime scene,
but this too was hampered by thefact that Jennifer had a cat
that had shed all over herapartment.
The uncertainty has beenunbearable for Jennifer's family
, who are left with the wave ofemotion of grief that comes with
(30:09):
an unsolved case.
Her mother, sherry, said thatshe prays each night that the
killer of her daughter will oneday be caught.
She stated quote I won't giveup until it's solved.
It will be solved, end quote.
And now, 21 years later, we'restill searching for answers to
(30:32):
solve Jennifer's case.
Since Jennifer's passing, theSchool of Journalism at the
University of Montana hascreated an award in Memorum of
Jennifer.
It's the Jennifer Sovo MemorialAward.
Preference is given to a femalegraduating senior without
standing professional potentialin broadcast journalism who has
(30:55):
demonstrated a strong work,ethic, determination and a clear
vision of goals in theprofession.
Jennifer's family deservesclosure.
So if you or someone you knowhas information about Jennifer's
case, tips can be made to CrimeStoppers at 325-676-8477.
(31:21):
That's 325-676-TIPS.
Or you can call the AbilenePolice Department directly at
325-673-8331.
That's 325-673-8331.
(31:46):
Tips can be made anonymously,and that's the case of
Jennifer's Sovo.
Source material for Jennifer'scase can be found in the show
notes.
Be sure to follow CrimeConnoisseurs on Instagram, and
you can get Crime Connoisseurswherever you listen to your
podcasts.
Be sure to tune in next weekfor a mind-boggling case and I
(32:11):
promise you next week's episodeis a solved one.
I do understand that the lastfew episodes have been unsolved
cases.
I just go down these rabbitholes about them and they are
just so compelling to me becauseof justice needing to be served
(32:31):
.
But next week's case is asolved one and it is a
mind-boggling one at that.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
Welcome back crime connoisseurs.
I'm your host, grace D, andright off the bat I want to let
you guys know that today's casewill leave you wanting to scream
.
I've been going down the rabbithole in this case for so long.
We're going back to 2002.
A bright young woman with apromising future moves from her
(00:21):
home state of Montana to Texasto start her career as a news
anchor.
As she quickly settles in andbegins the life of her dreams,
tragedy strikes.
The gruesome scene that firstresponders walked into left them
with more questions thananswers.
Now, 21 years later, her casestill remains unsolved.
(00:42):
This is the case of JenniferServo.
(01:22):
Jennifer Lin Servo was born onSeptember 23, 1979 to Sherri
Servo Olson and Norman Olson inWhitefish, montana.
Jennifer was raised in ColumbiaFalls, where she was involved
in the Columbia Falls swim andvolleyball teams.
She was manager for the boysbasketball team and was a
(01:44):
cheerleader all throughout highschool.
Her teacher, dan Fairbank,nominated Jennifer to the United
States Achievement Academy asUnited States National Winner in
History and Government.
The criteria for selection werea student's academic
performance, interest andaptitude, leadership qualities,
(02:07):
responsibility, enthusiasm,motivation to learn and improve
citizenship, attitude andcooperative spirit,
dependability and recommendationfrom a teacher.
Her family and friends wereincredibly proud of this award.
Jennifer worked at the Big SkyWater Slides in Columbia Falls
(02:30):
and Gary and Leo's grocery storeduring high school.
In 1996, when she turned 17,jennifer decided to join the
Army Reserves, much against hermother, sherri's wishes.
Jennifer said it would help payfor her college, be an
adventure and allow her totravel to places she wouldn't
(02:51):
have seen otherwise Knowing.
Once Jen made up her mind,there was no changing it, so
Sherri unwillingly signed theenlistment papers Later,
realizing this would moldJennifer into a very confident,
mature young woman.
In the summer of 1997, she wentto basic training.
(03:13):
Jennifer attended her monthlytraining sessions in Missoula
and was a specialist in the347th quartermaster for almost
six years.
She was trained in waterpurification and later accepted
the duties of retention officerfor her unit.
(03:33):
Jennifer graduated from ColumbiaFalls High School in 1998.
She left on graduation night togo to her Army IT training and
could not attend her graduationparty.
Her mother tried to get her topush the date back on the
training so she could share thememories of the party with her
friends, but Jennifer said itwould not fit in her schedule
(03:55):
for college.
She wanted to move forward tothe next step that would take
her to her goal of reporting.
During IT training, jenniferwas made the squad leader in her
barracks.
She was proud of how she couldhandle the machine guns and
learned how to throw grenades.
The Army taught her everythingthat helped make her a very
(04:19):
confident, mature young woman,knowing she could do anything
she set her mind to.
Jennifer attended the Universityof Montana from 1998 to 2002
and was accepted into the Schoolof Journalism during her junior
year.
During her freshman year ofcollege, her Army Reserve unit
(04:40):
was sent to El Salvador topurify water for the people
after her hurricane destroyedhalf of the country.
She was so excited about doingwhat she was trained to do and
to help those in need.
She also got her firsttelevision job her freshman year
at K-Pax TV in Missoula.
(05:00):
Jen accepted the position atK-Pax TV despite the early hours
and a full course load atschool.
She was willing to do anythingto get her foot in the door and
it wasn't long before she did afew stories for the evening news
.
In her junior year, jenniferwent to work for KECI TV, where
(05:20):
she gained experience inreporting.
She completed her internshipfor the station in the summer of
2001.
While at KECI-TV, jenniferbalanced a full university
workload and reported news onthe weekend newscasts.
She tackled the news businesswith integrity and ambition.
(05:41):
She also worked as a newsanchor for KUFM Public Radio
Station during her senior year,where she was heard daily on the
5 o'clock news.
Only the best journalismstudents get this opportunity.
Jennifer was involved in thestation, winning the regional
Edward R Murrow Award.
(06:03):
Her goal was to follow in thefootsteps of Katie Couric and
become a national TV news anchorwoman.
With Jennifer's determinationand toughness of spirit, there
was no doubt from anyone whoknew her that she would reach
her goals.
Jennifer graduated from theUniversity of Montana in May of
(06:23):
2002.
A month later, around mid-June,jennifer met a man named Ralph
Sipilveda during her ArmyReserve training.
Ralph was 34, 12 years olderthan Jennifer.
He was a former Army Ranger andbecame an instructor, meaning
he was Jennifer's superior.
(06:44):
The two were crazy about eachother instantly, though.
Jennifer was offered her firstfull-time news reporter job near
the end of June at KRBCTelevision News in Abilene,
texas.
She was so excited to be on herway to her new career.
Knowing this was a steppingstone to the bigger markets,
(07:08):
jennifer introduced Ralph to herfamily over the 4th of July
holiday weekend.
Her family could tell howsmitten they were with each
other, but there was justsomething about him that they
didn't like.
She told her family how Ralphwould be moving down there with
her when she moved to Abilene,texas.
Now, even though there wassomething about him that they
(07:29):
didn't like, it slightly easedthem knowing that she would have
someone down there that sheknew.
Her mother helped her move toTexas an adventure for the both
of them, as they were Montanagirls not experienced in driving
in the big cities.
On July 16, 2002, jennifer andher mother started their road
(07:51):
trip from Montana to her newhome in Abilene, texas.
Ralph stayed behind in Montanafor a few extra days Along the
way, jennifer and her motherstayed overnight in a hotel in
Wyoming on their way to Abilene.
Two days later, on July 18,jennifer and her mother arrived
(08:12):
in Abilene early in the morning.
Later that day, jennifer placeda deposit on the apartment at
Hunter's Ridge and she and hermother began unpacking.
Ralph arrived in Abilene in arental truck with Jennifer's cat
, mr Banks, on July 20.
Later that day, sherry flewback home to Montana, leaving
(08:35):
her car behind for Jennifer touse in Abilene.
The next day, jennifer's sister, krista, gave birth to a baby
girl, becoming an aunt for thefirst time when her niece was
born.
As much as Jennifer would haveloved to be there to meet her
new niece, she started her firstday at KRBC-TV as a field
(08:56):
reporter.
The very next day, on the 22nd.
It was apparent to those sheworked with that Jennifer
wouldn't be sticking aroundpermanently.
She had so much talent and itwould be no time before she was
making moves in the industry.
She was beautiful, intelligentand talented.
(09:16):
She quickly made friends withher new coworkers and settled
into her new life in Abilene.
Everything was going well forJennifer.
She was succeeding at her newjob, her boyfriend had moved in
with her and things were good.
However, sometime around August10, 2002, jennifer discovered
(09:38):
two disturbing secrets thatRalph had been keeping from her.
She learned that he had afiance whom he had promptly
broken up with when they firstmet.
She also found out that he hada child whom he never saw.
Her sister, krista, said quote.
That was really upsetting toher.
(09:59):
That was pretty much a dealbreaker for her end quote.
Jennifer broke up with Ralphand asked him to move out of her
apartment, and he did.
The two decided that they wouldremain friends.
Ralph moved out of Jennifer'sapartment, but he didn't go far.
He remained in Abilene andmoved to an apartment complex
(10:21):
near Jennifer's.
Jennifer tried to move on fromthe breakup with Ralph by
focusing on her career andhaving fun with friends.
A week after the breakup shewent with friends to the Texas
Rangers baseball game inArlington, texas, one of whom
was a co-worker, 23-year-oldBrian Travers, who was the
weatherman for KRBC TV the dayafter the baseball game.
(10:46):
Ralph emotionally askedJennifer to get back together,
but she refused.
She told him it's just notgoing to work out with them.
He tried again a week later,but Jennifer's answer remained
the same no.
Another week later, aroundAugust 24, 2002, ralph and
(11:07):
Jennifer talked again.
He tries again to convince herto give him another chance, but
she sticks to her guns andrefuses.
Jennifer was really bothered bythe fact that Ralph had kept
the engagement from her and thathe had had a child that he
never saw or communicated with.
This is around the last time.
(11:28):
Friends and family believe thatJennifer and Ralph had contact
with one another.
However, it's unclear whetherJennifer saw him in person or
spoke to him over the phone,according to Brian Travers in a
news article from CBS News quoteA whole new world was being
opened up for her and a weightwas lifted off her shoulders.
(11:50):
She was just so exuberant abouthim being out of there.
End quote.
On September 15, 2002, jenniferleft work after the 10 pm news
had aired and ran errands withBrian.
They picked up a coffee tablefrom a friend's apartment and
then stopped at a Walmart for alate night shopping run, where
(12:13):
security cameras captured themat around 10.45 pm.
After the errands, jenniferdropped Brian off at his home
before heading back to herapartment.
Three days later, on September18, 2002, toby Dagenhart, the
news director at the NBCaffiliate KRBC TV, grew
(12:35):
concerned when he didn't hearfrom Jennifer.
Jennifer loved her job so muchand wanted to advance her career
that she would take anyopportunity they had offered to
her for reporting.
So it was odd that when hetried to call her over the days
that she was off to come in dueto a short staffing, that he
never heard back from her.
(12:56):
A fellow KRBC TV reporter whowas friends with Jennifer
stopped by her apartment andnoticed that the blinds on her
front door were down, which wasalso odd.
You see, jennifer's cat, mrBanks, liked to look outside and
she always left the blinds opena little bit for him.
(13:16):
Toby decided to call themaintenance department of
Jennifer's apartment complex,thinking maybe she had fallen,
and wasn't able to reach thephone.
While waiting for a call backfrom the maintenance department,
toby heard on KRBC's policescanner about police activity at
Jennifer's complex for apossible DOA.
Toby decided to head over tothe apartment complex and meet
(13:39):
with maintenance about thewelfare check in person.
An assignment manager in thenewsroom fell to her knees,
covered her head and loudlyscreamed.
Upon hearing this information,fellow KRBC reporter Downey
Bowles, now County Judge ofTaylor County, texas, tried to
(13:59):
calm the assignment manager bysaying quote maybe it's not her,
maybe that's another call thatthey're going out to.
We've got to listen to it andsee what it is.
End quote.
Shortly after Toby, dagenhartcalled the newsroom and
confirmed it was Jennifer'sapartment, and then he gave the
(14:20):
tragic news that Jennifer hadbeen murdered.
When police entered theapartment, they were met with a
grueling sight.
There were blood stains allthroughout the home.
Jennifer was found in thebathtub strangled with blunt
force trauma to her head.
There was bruising consistentwith sexual assault.
(14:41):
Yet she was found fully clothed.
Police discovered Jennifer'scar in the parking lot and found
that there was no forced entry,leading them to believe that
Jennifer knew her attacker andthat the degree of violence
indicated rage.
Police believed that the crime,at the very least, was sexually
motivated.
They were unable to locate amurder weapon, but it was also
(15:07):
determined that several itemswere missing from Jennifer's
apartment.
The items included a guestpurse, square tote with an Eva
model on it, a Kyosara brandcell phone, model 2135, three
seasons of the series Sex andthe City on DVD, saving Private
(15:28):
Ryan on DVD and keys.
Detectives David Atkins and JeffBell of the Abilene Police
Department were assigned toJennifer's case.
They told CBS News quote whenwe first got in, we noticed that
there were obvious signs thatan assault had occurred.
End quote.
Detective Atkins explained thatthe medical examiner determined
(15:52):
Jennifer was strangled and hadblunt force trauma and how
either or both actions couldhave killed her.
The detectives collectedevidence from the crime scene,
including DNA, hair andfingerprints.
The investigation quickly wentunderway and first up for
questioning was the last personto have seen her alive, brian
(16:15):
Travers.
Brian told the police thatafter grocery shopping, jennifer
helped him unload his groceriesinto his home and then drove
away, which was the last timethat he had seen her.
Brian and Jennifer had brieflyhooked up and Brian had
developed feelings for Jennifer,but she just didn't feel the
same.
Instead, she just wanted to befriends and Brian agreed.
(16:37):
He seemed upset aboutJennifer's murder and asked
about the family.
After his initial interactionwith the police, brian's parents
hired an attorney To Jennifer'sfamily.
This was suspicious, but givenwhat we know now about the
justice system and how thingscan be twisted, it's always a
(16:58):
good idea to have an attorneywhen you are a suspect of a
crime, especially that of amurder, even if you're innocent.
The next time the detectives andBrian spoke, brian recounted
the events of the night that helast saw Jennifer.
Everything was the same asbefore, until he mentioned
(17:21):
Jennifer feeling like she wasbeing followed.
He told detectives that afterJennifer talked about being
followed, he offered to walk herback to the car at the end of
the night, but she declined.
Now this makes my spidey sensestingle as a woman, if I feel
like I'm being followed, I noteit with someone and I will
(17:42):
certainly avoid going alonesomewhere.
If I feel like that and someoneoffers to walk me to my car so
I'm not alone, you bet yourbottom dollar.
I am saying yes, please, andthen thanking them afterwards.
Ladies, am I alone on this?
Or do you feel me?
Because I feel like 99.9% ofwomen would feel this way, if
(18:05):
they're feeling like they'rebeing followed.
Well, my spidey senses weren'tthe only ones going off, because
Brian's story didn't add up.
Police pulled Jennifer's phonerecords and determined that
shortly after she got home,around 12.30 am on September 16,
2002.
There was a phone call from herex-boyfriend, dave Warren, who
(18:29):
she was still friends with, wholived in Montana.
When the police spoke with Dave, he said that Jennifer seemed
completely normal and unbotheredand that she never mentioned
feeling like she was beingfollowed.
Because of Jennifer and Dave'sphone call, it was determined
that Jennifer's killer arrivedafter 1.30 am.
(18:51):
A neighbor later reportedhearing a few loud noises coming
from Jennifer's apartmentaround 3 am.
Jennifer had lived in Abilene,texas, for exactly 61 days and
died just one week before her23rd birthday.
Now, in a bizarre coincidence,this was the second murder at
(19:14):
the same apartment complex inthe same year.
There was also a KRBCconnection with the other murder
.
Alan Wayne Brubaker was chargedwith killing his roommate
Russell Crowley with a hammer inthe same apartment complex.
After the murder, alan bicycledto KRBC and confessed to the
(19:39):
murder to the employees.
Such a wild coincidence OnSeptember 26, 2002, around 300
people shuffled into theNorthridge Lutheran Church to
(20:01):
say their final goodbyes to ayoung, vibrant soul.
The lobby of the church wasfilled with photographs
depicting Jennifer's life.
It included photos of Jenniferas a cheerleader at Columbia
Falls High School and one as agraduating senior from the
University of Montana.
On a nearby rack, her blue highschool letter jacket and her
(20:24):
green Army Reserves jacket hungproudly.
During his eulogy, um Radiotelevision professor Bill
Knowles said quote she was knownand loved by everyone around
her and everyone who taught her.
End quote.
Jennifer was rememberedthroughout the service for her
(20:44):
endless energy and desire tosucceed as a television reporter
.
Her sister, krista Slayton,also provided a eulogy.
She said.
The last words they said duringa phone call were I love you.
She continued in her eulogyquote thank you for being my
sister, jen.
I know you are with God now andI know I will see you again.
(21:08):
End quote.
The service was led by ReverendDan Haskett, who read aloud a
tribute from Jennifer's father,norman Olson, quote I will never
understand why my daughter wastaken away from me.
Jennifer was murdered.
That weighs heavy on us.
(21:31):
A person filled with sicknessor evil took her life.
End quote.
Following the service, jenniferwas cremated and her ashes were
scattered over Flathead Lake.
As we know, when Jennifer movedto Abilene, she had moved with a
boyfriend, ralph Sepulveda.
(21:52):
Rumors began to circulate thathe was involved in her murder.
He was the ex-boyfriend who hadtried getting Jennifer to give
him another chance, but shewouldn't.
So it only makes sense thatRalph was next up on police's
radar.
When Ralph was told thatJennifer was dead, he didn't
seem phased and he never askedhow she died.
(22:14):
He had started to cooperatewith the police, but that was
short-lived.
According to Detective Bell,ralph didn't cry, didn't seem
shocked nor devastated at thenews of Jennifer's death.
Granted, everyone reacts andgrieves differently, but
something about his nothingnesswas odd to detectives.
(22:36):
Ralph told detectives that hehadn't seen Jennifer in three
weeks, which also matched whatJennifer's family and friends
have told them.
A red flag here is that Ralph,who was so crazy about Jennifer
that he uprooted his life onlyafter a few weeks of dating her,
did not go to her funeral orcall her family with his
(22:59):
condolences.
Ralph quickly stoppedcooperating with the police and
refused to have any more contactwith them.
He also refused to take apolygraph test.
Now, I don't really take muchstock in this, though, because
polygraphs are inadmissible incourt, and, like my girls from
Crimejunk, you say Always askfor a lawyer, even when you're
(23:22):
innocent, and never take apolygraph.
When they asked Ralph for analibi, he said he was alone in
his apartment.
In an interview with CBS Newsfriend and former KRBC TV anchor
woman, jennifer Lauren, talkedabout her conversation with
Jennifer.
According to Lauren, jenniferconfided in her about what Ralph
(23:47):
liked to do in bed.
She said quote she did tell meone time that she did not like
the way he treated her when theywere together intimately, that
he liked to choke her while theywere having sex, and she did
not like that.
End quote.
Now, no kink shame here.
As long as it is consensualbetween both parties, cool, get
(24:12):
your thing on, but given thatJennifer told her friend she
didn't like it, and you add that, together with the fact that
she was strangled and sexuallyassaulted, that's another red
flag.
The Amaline Police Departmenthas perpetually pursued Ralph as
the prime suspect.
(24:32):
They claim that they've nearlycleared Brian Travers of all
suspicion and have acircumstantial case against
Ralph, but not enough physicalevidence to get a conviction.
Remember, the police collectedDNA, hair and fingerprints from
the crime scene.
There were two matches of maleDNA found inside Jennifer's
(24:54):
apartment.
The DNA belonged to BrianTravers and Ralph Sipple Beta.
Both men had admitted and wereknown to have been inside
Jennifer's apartment and therewas no way to determine how long
the DNA had been there.
The case went cold.
After this, the monthscontinued to pass by with no new
(25:16):
developments in the case, andin September 2003, it was the
first anniversary of Jennifer'smurder.
Travers had followed up on ahandful of leads and tips, but
there needed to be more concreteevidence to file any charges.
On September 18, 2003,detective Jeff Bell implied that
(25:40):
they had a main suspect butlacked evidence.
He stated quote I know a lot,but the hard part is being able
to prove it in court.
Another person of interest waspublicly identified in September
of 2007.
Brian Travers had worked withJennifer at the news station and
(26:02):
he and Jennifer had beenromantically involved at one
point.
Investigators announced thatBrian had cooperated throughout
all of the investigation andthey had verified facts from his
story.
Nevertheless, detective Bellsaid quote he's still not to
where we can say we're sure hehad nothing to do with it.
End quote.
(26:22):
Brian professed his innocenceand told the Chattanooga Times
Free Press that he understoodwhy investigators were looking
into him and why they couldn'trule him out.
He revealed that he was thelast person to see Jennifer
alive, other than the person whokilled her.
Jennifer's family stood byBrian, with Sherry stating quote
(26:47):
I'm positive that Brian hadnothing to do with Jen's murder.
He loved her and he was a goodfriend to her as she was to him.
I know she wouldn't want him tobe scrutinized like this end
quote.
Jennifer's sister echoed thesentiment, revealing that Brian
had offered to take a polygraphexamination, but the
(27:08):
investigators refused.
In January 2003, investigatorswere hopeful that the case could
be solved when Sherry receivedthree overdue book notices from
the library of Jennifer's almamater, the University of Montana
.
Four books were checked out ofthe library in October of 2002,
(27:34):
one month after Jennifer waskilled.
Since Jennifer's purse had beenstolen, it was speculated that
the books were checked out withher card, which her killer had
presumably stolen.
Unfortunately, the library hadno video surveillance and no
employees could rememberchecking the books out.
Investigators had no way oftelling whether Jennifer's card
(27:58):
was actually used or was itsimply an error on the library's
part and the trail went coldagain.
It wouldn't be for another sixyears before there was any
movement on Jennifer's case.
In 2008, a news anchor named AnnPresley was murdered in an
eerily similar manner toJennifer.
(28:19):
Ann was a beautiful young womanwith striking similarities to
Jennifer.
Both were blonde and young andnews anchors.
Both were sexually assaultedand murdered in their apartments
.
Police arrested 29-year-oldCurtis Vance for Ann's murder.
They were able to link him toher by DNA.
(28:43):
There were thoughts that hecould be responsible for
Jennifer's murder too, giving aglimmer of hope to Jennifer's
family to get closure.
Finally, unfortunately,curtis's DNA did not match any
DNA found in Jennifer'sapartment.
Today, ralph and Brian are thetwo main persons of interest in
(29:06):
the murder, and neither of whichhave been ruled out.
Their DNA was found atJennifer's apartment and both
adamantly denied any involvement.
There was also a thirdunidentified person of interest.
The day that Jennifer wasmurdered, she had been shopping
with Brian when she supposedlytold him she feared she was
being followed.
(29:27):
Unfortunately, theinvestigation was hampered by a
lack of DNA evidence.
At the one-year anniversary, alab in Fort Worth took a more
in-depth look at the crime scenein the hopes that they could
uncover a tiny trace of evidencethat could lead toward a
(29:47):
suspect or even rule a suspectout.
Hair evidence had beencollected from the crime scene,
but this too was hampered by thefact that Jennifer had a cat
that had shed all over herapartment.
The uncertainty has beenunbearable for Jennifer's family
, who are left with the wave ofemotion of grief that comes with
(30:09):
an unsolved case.
Her mother, sherry, said thatshe prays each night that the
killer of her daughter will oneday be caught.
She stated quote I won't giveup until it's solved.
It will be solved, end quote.
And now, 21 years later, we'restill searching for answers to
(30:32):
solve Jennifer's case.
Since Jennifer's passing, theSchool of Journalism at the
University of Montana hascreated an award in Memorum of
Jennifer.
It's the Jennifer Sovo MemorialAward.
Preference is given to a femalegraduating senior without
standing professional potentialin broadcast journalism who has
(30:55):
demonstrated a strong work,ethic, determination and a clear
vision of goals in theprofession.
Jennifer's family deservesclosure.
So if you or someone you knowhas information about Jennifer's
case, tips can be made to CrimeStoppers at 325-676-8477.
(31:21):
That's 325-676-TIPS.
Or you can call the AbilenePolice Department directly at
325-673-8331.
That's 325-673-8331.
(31:46):
Tips can be made anonymously,and that's the case of
Jennifer's Sovo.
Source material for Jennifer'scase can be found in the show
notes.
Be sure to follow CrimeConnoisseurs on Instagram, and
you can get Crime Connoisseurswherever you listen to your
podcasts.
Be sure to tune in next weekfor a mind-boggling case and I
(32:11):
promise you next week's episodeis a solved one.
I do understand that the lastfew episodes have been unsolved
cases.
I just go down these rabbitholes about them and they are
just so compelling to me becauseof justice needing to be served
(32:31):
.
But next week's case is asolved one and it is a
mind-boggling one at that.
In the meantime, keep it classy, connoisseurs, and I'll catch
you on the next case.
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