Exclusive New Details: The Disturbing Case of Kimberly Kessler| 20/20: The After Show

Key Concepts

• Jolene Cummings: A 34-year-old mother and popular hairstylist who was murdered.
• Kimberly Lee Kessler (also known as Jennifer Seibert and 16 other aliases): Jolene's co-worker at the hair salon, convicted of Jolene's murder.
• "The Final Cut": The title of the 2020 episode detailing Jolene Cummings' murder.
• Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID): Formerly known as multiple personality disorder, characterized by distinct personality states and amnesia.
• Fitness to Stand Trial: A legal standard determining if a defendant understands the proceedings and can assist in their defense.
• Alias: A fictitious name used by a person, especially to conceal their identity.

Summary of "The Final Cut" After Show

This episode of "2020: The After Show" delves into the exclusive details of their recent 2020 episode, "The Final Cut," which chronicles the murder of Jolene Cummings, a 34-year-old mother and beloved hairstylist. The story is described as a psychological thriller involving secret identities and double lives, centered around the disappearance and death of Jolene.

The Victim: Jolene Cummings

Jolene Cummings was a popular hairstylist with aspirations of opening her own salon. Her clients affectionately called her a "hair-apist" due to her ability to connect with them and help solve their problems. She was a devoted mother to three children. On Mother's Day, May 13, 2018, which was also her birthday, Jolene failed to pick up her children from her ex-husband, an act completely out of character. Her disappearance was immediately concerning to her mother, Anne Johnson, who described Jolene as a woman with "spunk" and "pride."

Initial Investigation and Red Herrings

The initial police investigation focused on Jolene's personal relationships. They zeroed in on her ex-husband, Jason Cummings, and her ex-boyfriend, Jason G.

• Ex-Husband, Jason Cummings: While they had a difficult relationship in the past, it was reportedly amicable for the sake of their children. Jason was brought in for interrogation, and the presence of scratches on his arm was noted. He explained they were from welding, which investigators initially accepted. He also provided solid alibis, clearing him of suspicion.
• Ex-Boyfriend, Jason G: Jason G had a criminal history and a domestic violence call had been placed to Jolene's house shortly before her disappearance. Jolene had asked him to leave because she didn't want him around the children. He also had scratches on his arm, which he attributed to a dog. His interrogation was described as erratic, with his head down on the table. Despite initial suspicion, he also had an alibi that checked out.

The Hair Salon and the Co-worker: Jennifer Seibert

With the initial leads exhausted, investigators turned their attention to Jolene's work environment at the hair salon, "Tangles." They learned about a new co-worker, Jennifer Seibert, who did not seem to get along with Jolene and was considered an "odd bird" by others. Co-workers reported confrontations between Jolene and Seibert, with Jolene expressing suspicion about Seibert, stating, "Something's off about her. I can't quite put my finger on it. Something's off, and I'm going to find out." This aligns with Jolene's known trait of being perceptive and determined to uncover the truth about people.

Discovery of Homicide and the Perpetrator's True Identity

The investigation took a grim turn when investigators returned to Tangles and discovered a small brown ring on the tile near the bathroom. This led to the discovery of blood, indicating a homicide had occurred. Investigators were unable to locate Jennifer Seibert initially. However, a tip led them to Jolene's car in a Home Depot parking lot. Surveillance footage from a nearby gas station captured a person resembling Seibert entering the store.

During questioning, Seibert began telling bizarre stories, including one about bed bugs, but at least admitted to not getting along with Jolene. The crucial breakthrough came when investigators reviewed surveillance footage from Tangles showing Seibert dumping bags in a dumpster.

In the interrogation room, Seibert dropped a bombshell: her name was not Jennifer Seibert. She revealed her true identity as Kimberly Lee Kessler. This revelation, along with her fabricated address and a host of other "insane stories," left investigators like Detective Wayne Harrington bewildered.

Kimberly Kessler's Extensive History of Deception

The investigation into Kimberly Kessler's past revealed an astonishing pattern of deception. She had used at least 18 aliases since 1999 and lived in numerous locations.

• Method of Obtaining Aliases: Kessler was reportedly obtaining names from tombstones of deceased individuals. An ex-boyfriend, Tom Sims, recalled a mid-90s incident where Kessler asked him to drive her to a cemetery, not to visit her father's grave, but to look at other grave sites and names. This was later identified by the FBI as a precursor to her alias acquisition.
• Fabricated Documents: She possessed a passport with the name Jennifer Seibert, a fake real estate license, and a cosmetology license, all meticulously doctored.
• Past Relationships and Behavior: Tom Sims described a volatile relationship with Kessler in his youth, where she would become aggressive after perceived slights at parties. He believed he was in love with her but was young and naive. A former landlord in Rochester, Minnesota, a psychiatrist, reported that Kessler caused him significant grief, accusing him of stalking and making bizarre demands about her living environment. He feared repercussions for his professional life.
• FBI Involvement: The FBI became involved early in the investigation, assisting with background checks on Kessler's aliases and tracking her movements across the country. They also played a role in confirming her identity through DNA matching with her mother.

The Trial and Conviction

Despite the lack of a body, investigators built a strong case against Kessler, believing Jolene was murdered because she was "onto" Kessler. Surveillance footage of Kessler disposing of garbage bags and the discovery of Jolene's blood and a small acrylic fingernail (believed to be Jolene's) in a Rubbermaid bin behind the dumpster were key pieces of evidence.

The trial was significantly delayed due to Kessler's disruptive and erratic behavior in court. She engaged in a hunger strike in jail, threw feces at jailers, and was questioned for her fitness to stand trial. Jailers, including Beth Smith, believed she was feigning her behavior, possibly having studied how to act out. Ultimately, a psychiatric evaluation concluded she was fit to stand trial.

Kessler was convicted of Jolene Cummings' murder. Even at her sentencing, she continued to exhibit disruptive behavior and was unable to be present in the courtroom.

The Aftermath and Family Impact

Jolene Cummings' family, particularly her mother Anne Johnson, endured immense suffering. The inability to recover Jolene's body for burial left them without closure. Anne expressed her determination to ensure Jolene's voice is heard and has instilled this fight for justice in Jolene's eldest daughter. Anne shared that the only physical remnant of Jolene she has is a small fingernail, which is still with the police.

The FBI led a search of landfills for days in extreme heat, but no remains were found. The family was able to hold a memorial service for Jolene, highlighting the continued outpouring of love for her and the desire to honor her memory.

Expert Perspective on Mental Illness and Courtroom Behavior

Dr. Adjoa Smalls-Monte, an emergency psychiatrist, provided insight into the questions surrounding Kimberly Kessler's behavior. She explained the criteria for determining fitness to stand trial, which involves a defendant's ability to understand court proceedings and assist in their defense. Dr. Smalls-Monte noted that while individuals can study and mimic mental illness symptoms, experienced professionals can often discern genuine illness from feigning through detailed questioning and psychological tests. She distinguished between Dissociative Identity Disorder (DID), which often stems from childhood trauma and involves distinct, often unaware, personality states, and the intentional creation of aliases by individuals with full consciousness and memory, driven by specific motives. The prosecution described Kessler as a "conniving criminal" rather than someone with DID, suggesting her actions were deliberate.

The program concludes by emphasizing the profound loss experienced by Jolene's family and community, and the lingering questions about mental illness, multiple personalities, and competency in legal proceedings.