Jennifer Odom Case Solved After 30 Years, Suspect Charged

BROOKSVILLE – 30 years after the 12-year-old Jennifer Odom disappeared from her home in Pasco County, Officials say they have finally solved the case - and a suspect is behind bars.

On February 19, 1993, young Jennifer Odom was expected home after being dropped off by her school bus near Jim Denney Road, but she would not be seen again until her body was discovered in Hernando County six days later.

During a press conference this morning, Sheriff Al Nienhuis joined Detective George Loydgren, Fifth Judicial Circuit State Attorney William Gladson, Sixth Judicial Circuit State Attorney Bruce Bartlett, and Hernando Board of County Commissioner Chairman John Allocco in announcing the long-awaited news.

Nienhuis says a Grand Jury indicted 61-year-old Jeffery Crum Sr on charges of First-Degree Murder, Kidnapping, and Sexual Assault, and that he has been transferred to the Hernando County Jail to await trial. Crum was already serving a life sentence for brutally beating and raping a 17-year-old Pasco County girl in 1992. That victim survived but it took investigators 23 years to gather enough evidence to make an arrest. Officials say DNA evidence from the Pasco County case was crucial in solving Odom's case.

Nienhuis is asking anyone with information in the Odom case to come forward, as there are still pieces of the puzzle missing. He also says there are most likely more victims in Florida and possibly around the country. An older photograph of Crum was provided to help possible victims identify him.

Gladson says the State will be seeking the death penalty in the Odom case.

The Odom family has asked for privacy while they process news of the arrest.