Erin and Jeremy left the party and were last seen around 10 p.m. April 3, 2000, driving Erin's car outside of Sparta. Editor's note: This story, pulled from our archives, was originally published onJan 15, 2012. We have gone in wells, dug up areas, we have used ground-penetrating equipment looking for bodies, Page told The Washington Post. [4] The license plate was confirmed to be that of Foster's Grand Am. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. White County teenagers Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel should have come home the night of April 3, 2000, but they disappeared, along with Erin's prized two-door 1998 Pontiac Grand Am. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } Write your message of sympathy today. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Please enter your email address and we will send you an email with a reset password code. based on information from your browser. [1][2][6][7], Police have theorized that Foster lost control of her vehicle while driving on Highway 84, which did not have a guardrail along that section in 2000. Erin picked up her brother from school Monday afternoon, April 3, 2000. ", "It is a very baffling case," said Knoxville lawyer Tom Snapp, who helped Ledbetter review information and some records in an effort to look for leads to pursue. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Scuba diver finds remains of Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel, 18 and 17, who disappeared near Sparta, TN in 2000. Isom said there is a lot of conflicting information about several matters including whether Bechtel and Foster were a romantic couple, casually dating, or just close friends as they had been for several years. And none of their personal belongings are missing.". So its a different hurt theres something different about it. Twenty-one years ago in 2000, Erin Foster (18) and Jeremy Bechtel (17) were last seen in Erin's 1998 black Pontiac Grand Am. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. Now we just have to deal with losing this glimmer of hope we had that they may have been alive somewhere, Now, were sure that theyre not, Cecil said. Janet Barsch (Bechtel) nee SidoffJanet A. Barsch (Bechtel) nee Sidoff, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in Waukesha, WI. "You need money to go on the run," she told the News-Sentinel in 2012. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. Its heart-wrenching to know it was that simple, and it was made that hard because of all the rumors and horror stories through the years.. Legacy invites you to offer condolences and share memories of Jeremy in the Guest Book below. Make sure that the file is a photo. "This is a case with two victims and many possibilities, but no crime scene and no forensic evidence," White County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Isom said in an interview with the Knox News-Sentinel. Numerous theories and speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel. It is a very baffling case, said Knoxville lawyer Tom Snapp, who helped Ledbetter review information and some records in an effort to look for leads to pursue. He reached out to Sides and asked him to work with investigators, suggesting he search Calfkiller River. Jeremy was also very well-liked. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. Jeremy is also white with dark hair and light eyes. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. Stephen D. Bechtel Jr., who took over his family's global engineering and construction company, elevating its already formidable reputation and transforming what had been a . The investigator said there are other persons of interest. And he said he is inclined to believe the sighting of Foster in Florida was accurate. Please enter your email and password to sign in. February 28th, 2019 would have been Erin's 37th birthday. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. [1] She was last seen wearing long pants, sandals and three sets of earrings. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Add to your scrapbook. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. The highway likely didn't have a guardrail in 2000, and police suspect Foster and Bechtel lost control of their vehicle and landed in the water. [4] He called White County Sheriff Steve Page to report his discovery and to confirm that it was Foster's car with two human remains found inside. He is described as standing 5'8", weighing 150 pounds at the time of his disappearance. To name a few: robbery gone wrong; their car plunged into a body of water; drug deal gone wrong; someone killed them out of jealousy; they stumbled onto something criminal and were silenced; killed by local "chop shop" thugs for Foster's sporty car; one was the target, the other killed just for being present; they simply ran off together. It didn't take long for him to detect a car and make a dive to see for himself. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. Erin went to a party at a friend's house where she saw Jeremy. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England. The jealousy theory hangs on the culpability of Erin's ex-boyfriend. Hamilton County: Carmella Maria Gutierrez. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. A scuba-diving YouTuber, who has made it his mission to find missing people, discovered the vehicle of Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, seen here, who disappeared 21 years ago in rural . Some theories include robbery or drug deal gone wrong, silenced by local criminals, accidentally drove into a body of water, killed out of jealousy, or simply ran away. This browser does not support getting your location. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. There is a problem with your email/password. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Oops, we were unable to send the email. This is a carousel with slides. It was the last time she saw her daughter. I dont have an easy way to say it, Sides told Page in hisYouTube video, "but I found them.. However, of Bradley, Isom added: I would not call him a suspect. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. (17 years old). He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. "I hope that someday we can find them both and bring them home to rest," Jeremy's mother Rhonda Ledbetter said in a 2012 interview with the Knox News-Sentinel. ul.searchbrowse li a:hover {color:#676767; border-bottom: 1px dotted #676767}, Photos: 37th Tennessee Homecoming brings history to life, Photos: Hurricane Matthew evacuees find shelter in Knoxville, Photos: Church Street United Methodist celebrates bicentennial, Photos: school coupon book kick off celebration, Photos: Bristol in anticipation for Battle at Bristol, Photos: Olive Garden provides meal for West Hills Fire Station No. Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, disappeared without a trace on April 3, 2000, in White County, Tennessee. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. [3], Coordinates: .mw-parser-output .geo-default,.mw-parser-output .geo-dms,.mw-parser-output .geo-dec{display:inline}.mw-parser-output .geo-nondefault,.mw-parser-output .geo-multi-punct{display:none}.mw-parser-output .longitude,.mw-parser-output .latitude{white-space:nowrap}355555N 852743W / 35.93205N 85.46196W / 35.93205; -85.46196. In 2005 and again in 2006, investigators actively searched for Foster in Pensacola, Fla., following reports that she was living and working there. cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. 0 cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA. If anybody knows anything at all, please, please call, said Leigh Ann Foster said in a 2002 interview with SpartaLive.com. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. "We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer," Isom said. Visit our, To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Survivors include: Parents- Ronnie and Karen Bechtel of McMinnville, TN Step-Father- Hunter Ledbetter of Sparta, TN Brothers- Rickey Fox of McMinnville, TN and Dusty Fox of McMinnville, TN Nieces- Cloe Fox and Lillian Fox Several cousins and other family members also survive. "I need that closure.". The most recent obituary and service information is available at the Oak Lawn Funeral H-Cremation Cntr-Meml Cemetery website. This account has been disabled. It just shattered my heart again. Through a family member, Foster's parents declined to be interviewed for this story. 931-836-2700. [4] The following day, on December 1, 2021, Sides returned to the vehicle he had seen in the river and went diving to film the car. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. #searchlist h2 {font-family:'Myriad W01 SmBd', sans-serif; color: #616161; font-size: 0.81255em; /* 13/16 */ line-height: 1.1em; text-transform: uppercase;} ul.searchbrowse li a {color:#676767; text-decoration:none; } (CQ), .searchbrowse-wrap {width:100%; margin: 0 0 10%; padding: 0 0 5% 0; border-bottom: 1px #e5e5e5 solid;} As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Later. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Try again later. Weve updated the security on the site. When she got home, she asked her mother if she could go out on a school night. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? And none of their personal belongings are missing, except what they had with them, Ledbetter said. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Some reports call them more than friends. April 3, 2000 Since Erin and Jeremy disappeared, White County Sheriff's investigators have run down leads across the Southeast and dug up wells across the county, according to WSMV. For some people, the best send-off is one that they would have loved to attendthemselves: a big party. Jeremy Lee Bechtel, age 17 at the time he went missing on April 3, 2000, was found on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in Sparta, Tennessee. Thanks for your help! The police reportedly followed leads that did not have a connection to Bechtel or Foster, leading to multiple dead ends. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. They also did not follow a recommendation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to provide DNA samples that could help identify their daughter, Isom confirmed. Jeremy called his father, Ronnie Bechtel, to tell him he was with Erin and some other friends. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. She was born in Corning, to the late Roy Mckinney and Helen (Hinkle) Mckinney. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. November 7, 1982 - Recommend Jeremy's obituary to your friends. #searchlist h2 a:hover {color:#222; border-bottom: 1px dotted #222;} You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. On the Facebook page set up for him and Erin- 'Justice for Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster'- you can see the number of people that cared about him and share photographs of him. "Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have.". You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. Funeral arrangement under the care ofOak Lawn Funeral Home-Cremation Center and Memorial Cemetery. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. #searchlist {width:100%; border-bottom: 2px #e5e5e5 solid; margin: 3% 0 5% 0;} Please try again later. Include your loved one's complete obituary on Legacy for just $10. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtel I found on Findagrave.com. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. [4] Sides found a submerged vehicle, but it was not Foster's Grand Am. Ledbetter said that while she no longer believes her son is alive she thinks about him and the case every day. According to a one-page missing person's report filed by Erin's parents, she and Jeremy left a party to pick. Try again later. Mr. Bechtel, 57, said his son was a well-mannered teenager who loved rap music and "had a kind soul and a big heart." Jeremy's mother, Rhonda Ledbetter, died three years ago from cancer. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of unless some more information is developed. David Kessler's top 4 tips for dealing with holiday grief. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. #searchbrowse-right {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} Investigators believe they accidentally drove off the road into the river. Anyone with information on the case can contact Isom at 931-836-2700; or by email at chris_isom@hotmail.com. Learn more about merges. Disappearance of Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel, "Case of 2 missing White Co. teens solved after more than 20 years", "Two teens went missing 21 years ago. For kids like that to stay gone this long and not contact any of their family or friends, that's enough to make you think something is wrong, he said. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. March 15, 2021. Oak Lawn Funeral Home 1786 Smithville Hwy, Sparta, TN 38583. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County. We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer, Isom said. This is a case with two victims and many possibilities, but no crime scene and no forensic evidence, said White County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Isom. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. It was the last time he talked to his son. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. The newly discovered vehicle - which The New York Times reported had. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. If they are still alive, the investigator said he puts most credence in the reported sightings of Erin in Florida. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Ledbetter believes the girl in Florida was someone else who resembled Foster. One person disappearing without a trace is mysterious enough. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter.Jeremy loved music and he enjoyed playing sports in school.In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents: Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England.Funeral Services were held on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Dwight Fuqua officiating. Minnie D. Bechtel, 88, of Benton, passed away in her home Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022. [4] Foster was 18 at the time of her disappearance, while Bechtel was 17. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17 were last seen on April 3, 2000, after leaving Foster's home. Michelle Willard. When Foster didn't return home the following morning, her mother Leigh Anne reportedly called her husband, Cecil, who reassured her that their daughter would probably be back in a few days. [4] On November 30, using sonar technology, Sides found a vehicle located thirteen feet below the surface of the Calfkiller River, next to Highway 84,[1] before running out of daylight. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the teens were last spotted around. "This is a case with two victims and many possibilities, but no crime scene and no forensic evidence," said White County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Isom. "How many young blond girls do you think there are in Florida?" In 2000, Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster left Foster's home in Sparta, Tennessee, and attended a party in White County but they never made it home. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. "For kids like that to stay gone this long and not contact any of their family or friends, that's enough to make you think something is wrong," he said. Last updated February 15, 2022; case resolved. The importance of saying "I love you" during COVID-19, Effective ways of dealing with the grieving process, Solutions to show your sympathy safely during the Covid-19 pandemic, Oak Lawn Funeral Home-Cremation Center and Memorial Cemetery. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Jeremy Lee Bechtel, age 17 at the time he went missing on April 3, 2000, was found on Wednesday, December 1, 2021 in Sparta, Tennessee. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeremy Lee Bechtel please visit our. "Cars dont just disappear, Sides told The Washington Post. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. 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