Scuba diver finds remains of Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel, 18 and 17, who disappeared near Sparta, TN in 2000. Visit our, To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Those searches were sparked by a tip that came in several years ago, reporting the pair had been murdered and their bodies dumped in a well or an abandoned well site somewhere in White County. "We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer," Isom said. 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. JEREMY BECHTEL OBITUARY Jeremy Bechtel's passing on Monday, April 3, 2000 has been publicly announced by Oak Lawn Funeral H-Cremation Cntr-Meml Cemetery in Sparta, TN. For over 20 years, no one knew what happened to Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel. ). [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. [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. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. The friends were last seen in Foster's car at about 10pm on April 3, 2000, but investigators were never able to crack the case. If you have any information. 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. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. Jeremy Bechtel's passing on Monday, April 3, 2000 has been publicly announced by Oak Lawn Funeral H-Cremation Cntr-Meml Cemetery in Sparta, TN. "I hope that someday we can find them both and bring them home to rest," she said. [4] Foster was 18 at the time of her disappearance, while Bechtel was 17. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. Echovita offers a solidarity program that gives back the funds generated to families. March 15, 2021. COLD CASE: Searching Lake For Two Teenagers That Vanished 20 Years Ago! After Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel vanished in 2000, there had been no new evidence until YouTube diver Jeremy Beau Sides discovered a car belonging to one of the teens underwater in. Updated 9 times since October 12, 2004. Try again later. Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA. [2] As of July 2022, the police investigation was not closed, but foul play was ruled out from police lines of inquiry. Try again. 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. Bechtel's mother, Rhonda Ledbetter, did give DNA. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. They picked Will up earlier that night from an arcade before leaving for a party. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Numerous theories and speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel. And none of their personal belongings are missing," except what they had with them, Ledbetter said. Jeremy loved music and he enjoyed playing sports in. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. A scuba-diving YouTuber solved the cold case", "After 20 years, Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel laid to rest after YouTube star finds car", "A 'baffling case' with few leads 12 years ago, 2 Sparta teens disappeared", "Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel cold case: What we know after car found by YouTuber", "Meet the YouTube Scuba Divers Solving Cold Cases -- And Racking Up Views". Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. A system error has occurred. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am . April 3, 2000 Try again later. The parents of both missing teens said their children's rooms had never been searched and other kids from the party had not been brought in for questioning. And the families of both teenagers are left grappling with more questions than answers. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. By most accounts, Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, were childhood friends. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. Oak Lawn Funeral Home 1786 Smithville Hwy, Sparta, TN 38583. I thought you might like to see a memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtel I found on Findagrave.com. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Those searches were sparked by a tip that came in several ears ago, reporting the pair had been murdered and their bodies dumped in a well or abandoned well site somewhere in White County. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. Isom said Erin's ex-boyfriend is a person of interest in the case, but he has cooperated with investigators including passing a polygraph test. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. "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. The families were heartbroken when they received the news, and Bechtel's father, Ronnie, told the Post that it was like losing his son all over again. He has cooperated with us every time and in every way. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. I don't believe they got out of White County that night, she said. "Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. Isom said a routine review of the case with the 13th District Attorney General's office is scheduled for this month, but that there are no suspects and no solution in sight. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. All rights reserved. Learn more about merges. Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. And none of their personal belongings are missing, except what they had with them, Ledbetter said. One tip said the teenagers had been murdered and their bodies disposed of in an abandoned well in rural White County. Legacy invites you to. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Dwight Fuqua officiating. Send simple, comforting meals with Home Chef. Failed to report flower. Jeremy's mother, for one, doesn't believe the teens ran away. When asked by the News Sentinel, Isom confirmed that Foster's ex-boyfriend, Gareth Bradley, remains "a person of interest." cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. Just a few months back, we dug up another well, Isom said. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England. It just shattered my heart again. Investigators believe they accidentally drove off the road into the river. Jeremy Lee Bechtel RESOLVED Jeremy, circa 2000 Missing Since 04/03/2000 Missing From Sparta, Tennessee Classification Endangered Missing Sex Male Race White Age 17 years old Distinguishing Characteristics Caucasian male. We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. And the families of both teenagers are left grappling with more questions than answers. Neither the teenagers nor the black two-door 1998 Pontiac Grand Am, Tennessee license plate number 473EJR, haven't been credibly seen since. The investigator said there are other persons of interest. 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. "You need money to go on the run," she said. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeremy Lee Bechtel please visit our. https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Disappearance_of_Erin_Foster_and_Jeremy_Bechtel&oldid=1140306445, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, Remains discovered after missing for 21 years, This page was last edited on 19 February 2023, at 13:31. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of unless some more information is developed. [5], No one saw them alive after the evening of April 3, 2000, prompting rumors and speculation of their whereabouts including false reports of sightings. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. If they are still alive, the investigator said he puts most credence in the reported sightings of Erin in Florida. "It all depends on who you talk to," Isom said. Anyone with information is asked to call the White County Sheriff's Office at 931-836-2700 orthe Center for Missing and Exploited Children at 1-800-THE-LOST. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. In Memory of Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster | Sparta TN One friend tells the story about how Jeremy was always rapping- even performing rap songs during a talent show in the 6th grade. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. Neither families have heard from them, there has been no activity on either of their Social Security numbers, and Erin's driver's license has never been renewed. Missing from Sparta, Tn since 4/3/2000 Erin Foster & Jeremy Bechtel. 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. Recommend Jeremy's obituary to your friends. "I need that closure.". "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Write your message of sympathy today. 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. Burial will follow in Skurlock Cemetery. We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer, Isom said. Hamilton County: Carmella Maria Gutierrez. But we are not giving up on this case.". A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. 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.. Add to your scrapbook. Foster was seen by her brother Will the same evening. Michelle Willard. Ways to honor Jeremy Bechtel's life and legacy. Decades-old cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. How many young blond girls do you think there are in Florida? Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? [2][3] The remains were later confirmed to be Foster and Bechtel, found in the vehicle after missing for 21 years. [4] Sides found a submerged vehicle, but it was not Foster's Grand Am. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Verify and try again. One person disappearing without a trace is mystery enough. At the time, the article said the investigation was still ongoing but there was no forensic evidence about what may have happened to the teenagers. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. Year should not be greater than current year. cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Make sure that the file is a photo. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. 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. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. JERRY BECHTEL OBITUARY Bechtel, Jerry J. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. There is no photo or video of Jeremy Lee Bechtel.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. The last person to see the teenagers was Foster's brother, Will. globalnews.ca comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment [deleted] . Drag images here or select from your computer for Jeremy Lee Bechtel memorial. However, of Bradley, Isom added: "I would not call him a suspect. It was the last anyone ever saw either of them. she asked. It was the last time he talked to his son. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. As promised, Sides returned to the area on November 30, 2021, more than ten years after Bechtel and Foster went missing. YouTuber Jeremy Beau Sides, who creates videos where he uses sonar technology and dives underwater to track down evidence in missing persons cases, shot a video on Nov. 24 showing his discovery. 0 cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA. We are sad to announce that on April 3, 2000, at the age of 17, Jeremy Lee Bechtel (Sparta, Tennessee), born in Smithville, Tennessee passed away. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. He would not say who, how many or how they are connected to the case. To use this feature, use a newer browser. Burial will follow in Skurlock Cemetery. Resend Activation Email. "Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. She was born in Corning, to the late Roy Mckinney and Helen (Hinkle) Mckinney. However, of Bradley, Isom added: I would not call him a suspect. Sides didn't inform anyone when he visited Sparta in late November and although he was unsuccessful, he posted a video to his YouTube channel that he would return to try again. 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. #searchlist h2 a:hover {color:#222; border-bottom: 1px dotted #222;} We do run into this from time to time.". Details of Disappearance Jeremy disappeared with his childhood friend Erin Foster. Ronnie said his wife passed away from cancer four years ago and he believed it was the stress and worry that took a toll on her life. Money to go on the run, '' Isom said that even Foster! Rights/Privacy Policy a suspect to pay tribute a person of interest. n't been credibly since. 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