Kenneka Jenkins Walked Into Rosemont Hotel Freezer Alone In Video: Activist

ROSEMONT, IL — A social activist representing the family of the 19-year-old Chicago woman found dead in a Rosemont hotel's walk-in freezer over the weekend says security camera video shows Kenneka Jenkins entering the freezer by herself, according to the Chicago Tribune. Rosemont police showed Andrew Holmes the video Wednesday, and he told the Tribune that it was "an accident waiting to happen."

Holmes said that Jenkins is seen in the video waiting in the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center lobby before wandering around a lower level, where she is shown opening doors, the report stated. She eventually enters a kitchen area, then goes into the walk-in freezer and does not come out, the report added.

Jenkins had gone to the Rosemont hotel Friday, Sept. 8, to attend a party in a room on the ninth floor. Friends had contacted her mother, Tereasa Martin, just after 4 a.m. when they couldn't find Jenkins. She was reported missing. Jenkins' sister reported her missing Saturday afternoon, and after an 11-hour search, hotel staff found the 19-year-old's body inside a walk-in freezer early Sunday. The medical examiner's office pronounced her dead at 12:48 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 10. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Rosemont Mayor Brad Stephens said that the online speculation and amateur sleuthing were hampering the police investigation.

"It’s unfortunate that some of that stuff is convoluting the investigation because all those leads have got to be followed up on," he told the Tribune on Wednesday.

Police offered to show Martin hotel security camera video Thursday. Investigators have pulled video from 47 hotel cameras and have been combing through 30 hours of footage. Rosemont police have not confirmed whether detectives have shown Holmes hotel security video or if the activist's description of the footage is accurate, according to the Tribune.

RELATED: Autopsy For Teen Found In Rosemont Hotel Freezer Inconclusive

Martin told the Tribune on Thursday that she has not seen the security video yet and was expected to watch it with her lawyer, personal injury attorney Larry Rogers.

Also on Thursday, a spokesman for the Crowne Plaza says it will pay for Jenkins funeral, the Chicago Sun-Times reports.

RELATED: Teen Found Dead In Rosemont Hotel Freezer; Facebook Video Could Provide Clues

"Our hearts go out to the Kenneka’s mother, her family and friends," a hotel statement said, according to the Sun-Times. "We hope covering the funeral costs provides a small bit of relief for them."

It is not known if the Jenkins' family has accepted the hotel's offer. Martin had created a GoFundMe page pay for her daughter's funeral and help fund an investigation.

More via the Chicago Tribune and the Chicago Sun-Times

Kenneka Jenkins (right), 19, was found inside a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont. (Photo via GoFundMe)

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