When Chris Thompson approached his employer’s home around 9 am on the morning of August 15th, 2002 in the small town of Oak Level, Virginia, he expected his boss to step out of the home, ready to go with Chris to pick up the new business truck. What Chris discovered, instead, was that his boss, Michael Short, had been shot, seemingly as he slept on the couch in his garage. When police arrived at the scene, they found Michael’s wife, Mary, in the couple’s bed, had also been shot. The couple’s nine-year-old daughter, Jennifer, was missing.

A search commenced for the missing child, an Amber Alert was created, and news stations flashed her picture-- all hoping that she would be found alive and well. As weeks passed, police explored various leads from a stalker, to a stranger, to a disgruntled customer, and even explored theories spawned by the rumor mill in hopes of solving the crime and bringing Jennifer safely home. Unfortunately, on September 25th, 2002, thirty miles away in Rockingham County, North Carolina, fragments of human remains were discovered that later were verified to be those of young Jennifer. She too had been shot.

Who could have committed such a heinous crime and what was their motive, especially since money (around $600) remained on the kitchen counter inside the Short family home untouched? Will those who have information, as local law enforcement has indicated that they do, finally be willing to share the details they recall that could lead to justice?

And will YOU share about this case and help push for answers and closure?

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