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A sixteen-year-old girl is found dead during a visit with her father.  Natasha Jennings  911 was called, but it was too late CASE DETAILS In the summer of 1997, Carson City, Nevada, resident Sandra Jennings received an urgent call from her brother, Clarence Jennings. He was trying to locate his 16-year-old daughter, Natasha, who was visiting from California:
Sandra told Clearance that she had found Natasha on the floor. She’s wasn’t breathing:
 Tammy searched for answers Natasha Jennings was already dead when the paramedics arrived. Ultimately, three theories about the cause of her death would emerge: drug abuse, sexual assault, and foul play. When Natasha Jennings was very young, her parents divorced. Natasha lived with her mother in southern California. By the time she was 16, Natasha wanted to reconnect with her father, Clarence. She hoped an extended visit to his home in Nevada would bridge the years of separation. At first, Natasha’s mother, Tammy Stelton, wasn’t keen on the idea:
 Traces of cocaine were discovered Sandra, Natasha’s aunt, was the last person to see her alive. They ate lunch together around 1:00. Later that afternoon, Clarence placed several calls to his daughter. He became more and more worried when he couldn’t reach her. When police arrived at the scene, they found Natasha slumped on the bedroom floor. Her hair was damp as if she had just taken a shower. An electric fan lay on top of her.
 The cause of death is still undetermined There were no signs of trauma. Still, investigators turned their attention to a young man Natasha had become close to, who we will call Chris. Allegations had been raised that Chris had sexually assaulted her just days before. The investigation revealed that Natasha and Chris went to a party together a few nights before she died. Those who had been drinking were invited to wait until morning to drive home. No one saw what Natasha and Chris did the rest of the night. According to Ingrid Cotar, a friend in California, a confused and traumatized Natasha called the following morning to tell her something had happened after the party:
Chris was interrogated, but according to Scott Burau, detectives concluded that whatever happened between him and Natasha could not be considered criminal:
As soon as Natasha’s mother, Tammy, learned about her daughter’s death, she rushed to Carson City:
Then, one day, a woman approached her at a shopping center with some new information:
The woman claimed that Natasha’s father, Clarence, was a drug informant for local law enforcement. She said his cover had been blown and the drug dealers killed Natasha in retaliation. Clarence Jennings denied the claim:
Natasha’s mother said she and other relatives confronted one of the Carson City detectives assigned to Natasha’s case:
Scott Burau claimed that Tammy was mistaken:
But soon, another theory emerged. Investigators thought that Natasha might have overdosed on drugs. A scrap of plastic recovered on a landing outside Natasha’s bedroom contained traces of speed and cocaine. And there was a very small amount of the drugs in her nose. Forensic pathologist Cyril Wecht outlined a possible scenario:
Tammy Stelton rejected that theory:
During the autopsy, the medical examiner found no drug residue in Natasha’s system.
Today, the investigation has hit a dead end, leaving Tammy Stelton frustrated:
Scott Burau said his department is stumped:
Officially, the investigation into the death of Natasha Jennings is still open. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season twelve with Robert Stack and in season four with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
be respectful
there is a typo on this page. proofread. “Sandra told Clearance”
Anonymous
Cyril Wecht is the best in the world. I believe his findings.
Rampart
While I don’t know how she died, I rule out the death from cocaine/meth scenario – The odds of her dying from cocaine/meth are extremely rare (unless the drugs were intentionally tainted with a poison designed to kill or make sick). There’s a greater chance of her dying from toxic/common household cleaners while cleaning the house, then dying from cocaine/meth. As a result of the insane drug propaganda that we’ve been bombarded with, drugs have almost taken on a supernatural quality and it’s amazing how often the notion of drugs get inserted into various unsolved mysteries when there are few answers (in relation to the effects of drugs, as opposed to gang retaliation, unpaid drug debts or something along those lines). I think it’s much more likely that the investigators planted this notion and/or evidence of a piece of plastic containing traces of cocaine and residue being in Natasha’s nose as a cover up, especially since this alleged evidence surfaced at a later date, but either way it’s suspect. I haven’t looked into the case enough to know a motive. I think very highly of Cyril Wecht (he’s a renown Forensic pathologist, who in this instance was merely guessing as to what possibly happened), who I’ve found to typically have exceptionally good insight in many cases that I’ve observed over the years, but his theory that “The cocaine and methamphetamine can lead to increased body temperature, hyperthermia. I think she probably took a bath to cool down, and she was then in the process of drying her hair when she collapsed, most likely in a spasm”, may very well be the dumbest theory in reference to anything that I’ve ever come across in my life. Sure it’s true that those drugs increase body temperature, but to the point where someone takes a bath to cool down and then dies of hypothermia is laugh out loud ridiculous. Of course we’ve all had blonde moments from time to time, but he definitely gets a blonde moment award for that theory.
And secondly, even if the alleged and arguable date rape scenario happened (2 people getting drunk and having sex) 3 days prior, it doesn’t equal the Chris dude killing her and if he had, his guilt would have been blatantly obvious upon being questioned by detectives, but detectives completely ruled him out. However a detective/s would cover for a person in that situation if that person or that persons parents had some degree of clout, such as being a member of the thin blue line (this scenario isn’t as uncommon as people think). It wouldn’t be difficult to dig further to see this kids connections. And if it turned out that the kid has some clout, then I would definitely look into this possibility further.
This is a very weird case. If I had to guess, this was a cover up (for reasons unknown) as a result of the highly suspect claims of cocaine residue being found at the scene at a later date. It could even be an accidental death cover up (but it almost certainly wouldn’t be from cocaine/meth) The informant scenario is interesting. I tend to believe the mom when she claimed that a cop revealed to her that Clarence was a police informant (people would crap their pants if they knew just how many people among us are a variety of undercover informants with no paper trails… most of this stuff is classified), however if this was a hit it based on this, it would be a pretty sophisticated hit (of course this is under the assumption that the autopsy/data provided to us about her death was indeed accurate). Most want to send a message, but to carry out a hit that looks like an accident seems like bit of a reach, but once again this under the assumption that the autopsy data given to us is legit. It’s amazing how naive most people are when it comes to police and even forensic corruption.
Mr. T
Thank you. I have mixed coke and meth and knew several others who have as well. Never did we have the complications from such mixtures as listed in this story. It’s amazing the stuff that the general public willfully swallows without even five minutes of research to check the validity. “I’ve seen it on a TV show so it MUST be true!”. Some people need to be out to sleep. Common sense is dying a horrible death…
Anonymous
Actually that would fall under toxicology. You would have to test hair samples. And you can see if she did drugs the last year. Because when someone is coming down all kinds of things can happen. The heart that was pumping fast could have turned into low blood pressure. And low blood pressure can sometimes be just as dangerous as high blood pressure. I don’t know. That was just an example. (Many things can cause spasms.)
Jennifer
Just cuz it says she wasn’t sexually active doesn’t mean she wasn’t molested. Maybe he didnt penetrate….to her that may still be rape especially if she was a virgin still.
jim
Was the fan and electrical outlet checked for proper wiring and
grounding?
UM fan
I don’t think it was murder. I think it was probably an accident or a medical problem.
Mike
Pretty sure the autopsy ruled that out.
UM slacking
So I’m curious what was said in the Suicide Note- I can’t imagine a parent leaving this world without mentioning the child they lost before them doing this. I’m also confused about the rape part but I wonder if I misheard the episode. I thought they said she wasn’t raped because she had not been sexually active, but like I said I may have missed something. Despite this case being open yet the only update I see is on her father passing. Where are the updates on Natasha !?
John
What I’m thinking is that when she went to go plug in her Fan she got electrocuted and died that way that’s why the fan was on top of her
Anonymous
Why would she need all that air to begin with? Trouble breathing is a vital sign. An emergency room will even treat that.
Anonymous
Natasha’s Dad killed himself , still to this day think he had something to do with this , but still no answers to what fore sure happened to Natasha, And Tasha would NEVER do drugs she saved me from myself .
Anonymous
The bag particle with drugs was found in the house. We really don’t know who it belonged to. Most parents would probably ask about that just laying around. So I don’t know. He may have known more information. But without immunity his words would possibly have been used against him.
thinkingoutloud
Like Syrus said, if the father was an informant of course he could never admit it. And of course the police department would deny it as well. I think it is possible that could have something to do with her death.
The drug theory also make sense. She might not have done a lot of drugs as her mother claims she had no history with drugs OR maybe someone slipped her something unknowingly at the party and died as a result. I think the theory of her father being an informant definitely played a role in this somehow.
There’s no way they can claim she wasn’t raped by the test. If she claimed she was raped, she was raped. Pathetic
D strait
that’t not how it works. Just because someone says something it does NOT mean it is correct, that is in no way to downplay her conversation with her friend or to say that could not have been the case. BUT there is other viable outcomes as well. how many innocent men did time for false rape accusations? can’t agree to something just because. I’ve just recently learned off the Occam’s Razor theory, and for cases like this one it just might be true. For her dad to be calling frequently that morning for her shows signs of worry that he actually could be an informant and this resulted from that. but wouldn’t they have killed her in the traditional way? shooting, strangle, stab? if it is revenge against her dad wouldn’t it more than likely be violent killing? especially if dealing with drug dealers. This case is overall weird as far as possibilities, unanswered questions, etc.
Anonymous
The lady that reported that was perhaps on Crack and had the same dealer as her dad. Maybe the town drug dealer was concerned he would be an informant. But I wish the father wouldn’t have killed himself.
Anon
The idea that an autopsy can show for sure whether sex was consensual or rape is ludicrous. This is the same outdated thinking that prevents many male rape survivors from coming forward (the idea that, if a person’s body is aroused in any way, they must “want” sex and therefore it can’t be rape).
jim
Was the fan and electrical outlet checked for proper wiring and
grounding?
Anonymous
it was a cover up, that she was not raped, Chris is a dignitaries son, She took the 2 drugs, that Anna N. Smith’s son, took in the Hospital and died.
Tony Congema
Maybe a psychic can help with answering questions,psychic’s have been working with law enforcement now and then,the poor girls mother needs some answers.
Tony Congema
Great idea
Mr. T
Except that there has never been a single case where a psychic actually helped police solve a murder and there never will be for good reason: ESP and psychics are all complete bull. Such is as ludicrous as religious beliefs.
ROSE ANDREWS
I THINK THAT SOME ONE NEXT TWO NATASHA .I HOPE THAT YOU ALL GET GET THEM FOR THIS
Trevor
Are their any new developments in this case?
Syrus
if her father was/is an informant, he could never admit to it, because he’d be a dead man walking. so that’s only something he and the police would know, and now he will have to live with that for the rest of his life. Why had Clarence placed several calls to his daughter. He became more and more worried when he couldn’t reach her, did he receive a threat concerning threats on his daughters life.
R.I.P. Natasha Jennings
EKS
Clarence ended up dying of a botched suicide/OD. He left a suicide note and then was found, put in a hospital on life support and then died – all in Aug of 2008.
Rebecca
Somebody out there knows something, they need to come forward, so this family can have some peace in their life and closure. A young life taken away, her family deserve to know what happened to their loved one. A lot of unanswered questions but someone out there, somewhere has those answers. Rest in peace Natasha your case is still open which is a good sign.