What Happened to 21-Year-Old College Student Chris Jenkins on Halloween Night in 2002

21-Year-Old College Student Chris Jenkins Vanished on Halloween Night 2002 After Leaving A Bar. Four Months Later His Body Was Found in the Mississippi River

Depiction of Chris Jenkins.

Background

In the heart of Minneapolis, on a chilling Halloween night in 2002, the mysterious disappearance of 21-year-old Chris Jenkins sent shockwaves through the community. What began as a night of celebration at a local bar took a sinister turn when Chris vanished without a trace, only to have his lifeless body discovered in the Mississippi River four months later.

Initially ruled as an accidental drowning, the case left many questions unanswered. Nearly two decades later, a new investigative light shines on this perplexing enigma. This article focuses on the puzzling circumstances behind Chris Jenkins' disappearance, the recent events that have rekindled the inquiry, and the continued search for the answers to this unsettling enigma.

The Mysterious Disappearance of Chris Jenkins

Photo of Chris Jenkins in his Halloween costume the night he disappeared

On the fateful Halloween night of October 31, 2002, the vibrant streets of Minneapolis witnessed a perplexing turn of events. Chris Jenkins, a 21-year-old university student, and Eden Prairie High School graduate, joined the festivities with friends. They celebrated at the Lone Tree Bar in Minneapolis, with Chris donning an American Indian costume, encapsulating the holiday spirit. However, as the clock struck midnight, Chris was asked to leave the bar, marking the last known sighting of him. This seemingly ordinary night would soon give way to an enduring mystery.

Four long months passed before any answers would emerge regarding Chris Jenkins' disappearance. In February 2003, the discovery of his lifeless body in the frigid waters of the Mississippi River sent shockwaves through the community. The Hennepin County medical examiner's office determined that Chris had died of drowning, but the circumstances surrounding his death remained unsurprising. Authorities initially closed the case, attributing it to an apparent accidental drowning. Yet, as the years passed, doubts about this conclusion emerged.

Devastated by the loss of their son, Chris's parents, Jan and Steve Jenkins, embarked on a relentless quest for answers. Unsatisfied with the official explanation of accidental drowning, they tried to unravel the truth behind their son's tragic end. Their determination led them to hire private investigators, engage renowned bloodhounds, and conduct an independent inquiry, all in pursuit of justice for Chris. Their unwavering commitment to finding the real story behind his disappearance and death ignited a flame that would burn for years.

As the initial investigation left many questions unanswered, the Jenkins family's relentless pursuit of justice would eventually yield unforeseen developments. The reopening of the case, new revelations, and the reconciliation with the Minneapolis Police Department would reshape the narrative surrounding Chris Jenkins' baffling disappearance and death, setting the stage for a renewed investigation into this enduring mystery.

"Breaking Homicide" and New Light on the Case:

The story of Chris Jenkins' mysterious disappearance took an unexpected turn with the arrival of the television show "Breaking Homicide." This show, airing on Investigation Discovery, featured former Rhode Island Police Detective Derrick Levasseur and forensic pathologist Kris Mohandie, who specialize in investigating cold case murders.

The episode "Secrets of the River" delved into the enigmatic circumstances surrounding Chris's case, shedding new light on the investigation. The show's premise involved re-examining original clues and pursuing new leads to potentially solve cold cases, offering a fresh perspective on the case that had stumped authorities for years.

The turning point came when an incarcerated individual, described as either a suspect or an eyewitness, stepped forward with information that rekindled hope for justice in Chris Jenkins' case. According to police sources, this person claimed that Chris had fallen victim to an attempted robbery that escalated tragically. Allegedly, Chris, intoxicated and clad in an American Indian costume, was accosted on the Hennepin Avenue Bridge's pedestrian walkway on the night of his disappearance.