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The Chilling Death of Kenneka Jenkins
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mranleec
4 min read
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Kenneka Jenkins, a 19-year-old from Chicago, was found dead inside a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare hotel in Rosemont, Illinois on September 10, 2017, after attending a party at the hotel the previous night. Her tragic death, ruled an accident caused by hypothermia, alcohol intoxication, and medication, sparked widespread attention, conspiracy theories, and a wrongful death lawsuit by her family against the hotel that was recently settled for over $6 million.
Kenneka Jenkins' Early Life
hollywoodlife.com
Kenneka Jenkins was a Chicago teenager who grew up on the city's West Side. She attended high school in the area, where she wrote for the school newspaper, showcasing her developing interests and talents.
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Jenkins was described by those who knew her as a caring and outgoing young woman. Her mother, Tereasa Martin, played a significant role in her upbringing and later became a vocal advocate for justice following her daughter's tragic death at the Crowne Plaza hotel. The events surrounding Jenkins' passing in a walk-in freezer after attending a ninth-floor party would later lead to a lawsuit and settlement, thrusting the teenager into national news and sparking widespread public interest in surveillance footage and hotel security procedures.2
2 sources
Case Breakthrough: Legal Settlement Reached
yahoo.com
A significant breakthrough in the Kenneka Jenkins case came when attorney Geoffrey Fieger filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Crowne Plaza hotel, alleging negligence in her death. Fieger presented enlarged photographs of the freezer door, claiming it was inadvertently locked from the outside after Jenkins entered
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. This theory contradicted the surveillance footage released by Rosemont Police, which showed no one entering the kitchen area after Jenkins until her body was discovered1
. The lawsuit also alleged that hotel security was aware of Jenkins' disappearance for an hour before she entered the freezer1
. Despite these claims, the hotel maintained that the freezer did not lock from inside or outside and was functioning properly on the night in question1
. The case resulted in a settlement, bringing some closure to the tragic death of the teenager in the walk-in freezer.1 source
Kenneka Jenkins (Photos)
Overview of the Tragedy
essence.com
The Kenneka Jenkins case revolves around the tragic death of the 19-year-old who was found in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza hotel after attending a private party. The incident raised significant concerns about hotel security and the handling of the situation by the hotel staff. Surveillance footage showed Jenkins wandering alone through the unused kitchen area, yet no video captured her entering the kitchen freezer itself. The official report from the Cook County medical examiner cited hypothermia as the cause of death, with alcohol and medication being contributing factors, noting her blood alcohol levels
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. Attorneys for Jenkins' family filed a lawsuit alleging negligence, claiming that hotel security staff failed to monitor security cameras and respond appropriately when Jenkins went missing.
This case highlights the critical importance of hotel security and the need for thorough investigations based on factual records rather than speculation. Party attendees were questioned, and the legal proceedings culminated in a settlement agreement, emphasizing the role of attorneys in navigating complex cases involving multiple parties and substantial damages 2
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.3 sources
The Kenneka Jenkins Case Timeline
The Kenneka Jenkins case unfolded over several years, from her tragic death in 2017 to the settlement in 2023. Here's a concise timeline of key events:
The case garnered significant public attention, with surveillance footage playing a crucial role in the investigation. Despite conspiracy theories, no video of Jenkins entering the freezer exists, as confirmed by hotel representatives
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Sept. 8-10, 2017 | Jenkins attends party at Crowne Plaza hotel, goes missing, and is found dead in walk-in freezer 1 2 |
| Sept. 15, 2017 | Surveillance footage released showing Jenkins stumbling through hotel 3 |
| Oct. 6, 2017 | Medical Examiner rules death accidental due to hypothermia; alcohol and medication cited as contributing factors 1 |
| Dec. 15, 2017 | Jenkins family files $50 million lawsuit against hotel, security company, and restaurant 4 |
| Dec. 12, 2023 | $10 million settlement reached; Jenkins family to receive over $6 million 4 |
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. The settlement brought some closure to the tragic death of the teenager, which had sparked widespread speculation and amateur sleuthing online.5 sources
The Story of the Kenneka Jenkins Case
Kenneka Jenkins' Personal Life
essence.com
Kenneka Jenkins was a 19-year-old teenager from Chicago's West Side, known for her caring and outgoing nature. She lived with her mother, Tereasa Martin, and had a sister named Leonore Harris
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. On the night of September 8, 2017, Jenkins attended a party on the ninth floor of the Crowne Plaza hotel, where surveillance footage later showed her stumbling alone through hallways and into a kitchen area2
. The tragic events that unfolded, leading to her death in a walk-in freezer, sparked national news coverage and a lawsuit against the hotel. The case, which involved intense scrutiny of surveillance videos and hotel security procedures, resulted in a $10 million settlement, with Jenkins' family receiving over $6 million3
.3 sources
Closing Thoughts on Kenneka Jenkins
The tragic case of Kenneka Jenkins, a 19-year-old found dead in a walk-in freezer at the Crowne Plaza Chicago O'Hare Hotel, has significantly impacted public consciousness. Surveillance footage showed Jenkins stumbling through the hotel's ninth floor after attending a private party, leading to intense scrutiny of the hotel's security measures. The subsequent discovery of her body in the kitchen area fueled speculation and conspiracy theories, with amateur sleuths analyzing the footage for clues. However, attorney Geoffrey Fieger reported that no surveillance video exists of Jenkins entering the walk-in freezer, despite claims otherwise.
Jenkins' family filed a $50 million lawsuit against the Crowne Plaza hotel, the security company, and the restaurant operating the kitchen where the freezer was located, alleging negligence. A settlement was reached, awarding Jenkins' family over $6 million, providing some closure to this heartbreaking story that captured national headlines. The case underscores the importance of proper hotel security, responsible use of surveillance footage, and thorough investigations prioritizing evidence over speculation. While the settlement offers some solace, the loss of this young life in such tragic circumstances is a wound that will never fully heal.
Related
What was the outcome of the lawsuit filed by Kenneka Jenkins' family
How did the settlement agreement impact the parties involved
What were the main arguments presented by Geoffrey Fieger in the case
How did the hotel respond to the allegations of negligence
What were the significant contributing factors to Kenneka Jenkins' death
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