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

ROSEMONT, IL — A Chicago teen was found dead Sunday inside a walk-in freezer at a Rosemont hotel. The family of Kenneka Jenkins, 19, said police told them the teen was inebriated when she let herself into the freezer and died inside. The teen was reportedly at a party on the ninth floor of the hotel celebrating a new job, and investigators are looking at a video shared on social media that allegedly shows Jenkins in the room before her disappearance.

Her mother, Tereasa Martin, set up a GoFundMe page titled "Justice for Kenneka," saying, "We believe there is more to the story," and adding, "Since this is still under investigation, there isn’t much I can say."

Martin spoke with reporters outside the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel & Conference Center in Rosemont, where Jenkins was found dead Sunday. She said her daughter left home around 11:30 p.m. Friday to attend a party at the hotel. (Get Patch real-time email alerts for the latest Arlington Heights news. And iPhone users: Check out Patch's new app.)

Jenkins' body was found inside the hotel's walk-in freezer. She was pronounced dead at 12:48 a.m. Sunday, according to the Cook County medical examiner.

On Monday, a Facebook Live video of a woman in mirrored sunglasses in the hotel's ninth-floor room began circulating on Twitter, YouTube and other online platforms, and it allegedly shows Jenkins in the room, as well. Commenters claim the footage also captures evidence of foul play. In part of the video, some viewers say they can hear a muffled plea for help from someone they say is Jenkins. They also say Jenkins can be seen reflected in the woman's glasses, and it appears someone is doing something physical to her.

Rosemont police spokesman Gary Mack told the Chicago Tribune that detectives have seen the video and identified most of the people in the footage.

"[Investigators] are leaving no stone unturned as far as trying to corral everyone they can and talk to them and interview them about what happened and what was going on that night."

Some social media users, however, have been critical of the police investigation in light of the video and what it allegedly shows. They also point to investigative work done by some users based on information culled from online posts and news articles.

"[I'm] horrified," Martin told the Tribune. Jenkins' mother said she heard from her daughter's friends just after 4 a.m. Saturday, saying they couldn't find her.

Martin told WGN-TV News she then headed straight to the hotel, where she asked staff to check surveillance video. She said she was told to contact police, so she called 911 and was told to wait a few hours because Jenkins could be out with friends.

"We were begging for help, and no one was helping," Jenkins told WGN. Jenkins' sister filed a missing person report with Rosemont police on Saturday afternoon, kicking off an 11-hour search for the 19-year-old.

The Crowne Plaza issued a statement on Sunday, telling ABC 7 Chicago it was "saddened by this news, and our thoughts are with the young woman and her family during this difficult time." The hotel said the safety of its guests and employees is its first priority, adding that hotel staff is cooperating with authorities.

Jenkins' mother told WGN she has a hard time believing police's version of events, saying safety features make it possible to open walk-in cooler doors from the inside. She also said that if her daughter was drunk, she would have had trouble opening the heavy freezer doors and realized they weren't the doors to an elevator or hotel entrance.

"I believe someone in this hotel killed my child," Martin said.

The Cook County medical examiner said it will be "several weeks" before autopsy results are completed for Jenkins.

The GoFundMe page created by Martin said donations would help cover funeral arrangements and help with the investigation. "Help me get justice for her," Martin wrote.

By Shannon Antinori | Patch Editor (Patch Editor Joe Vince contributed to this article)

More via the Chicago Tribune and WGN-TV News

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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