Episode 170: Chris Jenkins - A Halloween Mystery

The disappearance and death of Chris Jenkins remains one of Minnesota’s most baffling unsolved mysteries. On October 31, 2002, the 21-year-old University of Minnesota business student and lacrosse team captain vanished after celebrating Halloween with friends in downtown Minneapolis. His body was recovered months later, sparking a long investigation that shifted from a ruled accident to an active homicide case. While investigators identified potential suspects—including a man in prison for an unrelated violent crime, no one has ever been charged.  The case gained broader national attention when retired detectives Kevin Gannon and Anthony Duarte theorized that Jenkins was the victim of the speculative "Smiley Face Murder" theory. They alleged a network of killers was targeting high-achieving college men across the Midwest, leaving smiley face graffiti near drowning sites. However, law enforcement and the FBI have largely dismissed this theory, and Chris Jenkins’ murder officially remains unsolved.   Sources: https://abcnews.com/GMA/story?id=4738621&page=1 https://www.mprnews.org/story/2006/11/20/jenkins https://www.twincities.com/2009/09/23/jenkins-family-continues-push-for-awareness-in-case-of-murdered-son/ https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna38601514 https://www.ourmidland.com/news/article/Missing-College-Student-Found-Dead-7085877.php   Join The Dark Oak Discussion: Patreon The Dark Oak Podcast Website Facebook Instagram Twitter TikTok Youtube This episode of The Dark Oak was created, researched, written, recorded, hosted, edited, published, and marketed by Cynthia and Stefanie of Just Us Gals Productions with artwork by Justyse Himes and Music by Ryan Creep