On March 30, 1996, Jennifer Rose Vernals, 15, was dropped off in Downtown Ventura by her grandmother so she could shop for jeans. Her remains were found 5 months later in an avocado ranch off Toro Canyon Road in Santa Barbara.
Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Department determined she was killed the same day she was taken. Her case has been linked to murderer Michael Schultz, who was convicted in the rape and murder of Cynthia Burger. Michael and Jennifer were one time neighbors.
Michael's former roommate expressed concern to police at the close nature of the relationship between Michael and Jennifer, since she was only 14 and he was 28 at the time. A week after Jennifer's body was found, a woman told investigators that Michael had given drugs and alcohol to Jennifer.
Michael has never been charged with Jennifer's murder and claims that although he knew her and was close to her, he had nothing to do with her death.
Timeline
-August 5 1993: Cynthia Burger, a 44 year old Port Hueneme woman, was raped and strangled, her condo was burglarized then set on fire.
-March 30 1996: Jennifer Rose Vernals is abducted from Downtown Ventura. Her remains were found 5 months later.
-1997: While in prison for unrelated charges, Michael was questioned in the Jennifer Vernals case when it surfaced that they were once neighbors.
-2000 DNA linked Michael Schultz to the rape and murder of Cynthia Burger and is charged. He has never been charged with the death of Jennifer Vernals and there are no other suspects.
Resources
Defendant is Suspect in Earlier Killing
