In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. Copyright 2023 Echovita Inc. All rights reserved. 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 . [1] Bechtel spoke to his father Ronnie Bechtel by telephone on the evening of April 3, 2000. They picked Will up earlier that night from an arcade before leaving for a party. Jeremy is also white with dark hair and light eyes. 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. Try again later. Ledbetter said that while she no longer believes her son is alive she thinks about him and the case every day. Last updated February 15, 2022; case resolved. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. In Memory of Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster | Sparta TN Legacy invites you to. 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. 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. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. When we asked him to take a polygraph, he did not hesitate, and he passed it. based on information from your browser. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. This account has been disabled. Bob Lowery, executive director for NCMEC's missing children's division, said some parents are reluctant to give DNA because they do not want to face the reality that their children could be dead. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. 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. 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. Just a few months back, we dug up another well, Isom said. (But) it was right under our noses the whole time. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Details of Disappearance Jeremy disappeared with his childhood friend Erin Foster. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. If they are still alive, the investigator said he puts most credence in the reported sightings of Erin in Florida. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. Some reports call them more than friends. 0 cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA. Verify and try again. #searchlist h2 {font-family:'Myriad W01 SmBd', sans-serif; color: #616161; font-size: 0.81255em; /* 13/16 */ line-height: 1.1em; text-transform: uppercase;} Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were residents of Sparta, Tennessee. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. 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 . Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of unless some more information is developed. If anybody knows anything at all, please, please call, said Leigh Ann Foster said in a 2002 interview with SpartaLive.com. Failed to report flower. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. February 28th, 2019 would have been Erin's 37th birthday. We have gone in wells, dug up areas, we have used ground-penetrating equipment looking for bodies, Page told The Washington Post. Isom said there is one witness who said she is certain she saw Foster without Bechtel late on the night they disappeared. And the families of both teenagers are left grappling with more questions than answers. Foster's parents said they held off holding a funeral for her when she went missing in the hopes that she may have still been alive. It was a busy day at work and then I came home to my family. "You need money to go on the run," she told the News-Sentinel in 2012. The investigator said there are other persons of interest. 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. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). In the same article, Isom said it's odd for missing people, especially teens, to be gone nearly 20 years with no contact with their friends and family. She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. Recommend Jeremy's obituary to your friends. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. When he came upon the Bechtel and Foster case, he determined it was worth a trip to the small Tennessee town to see if he would have more success than previous efforts. ul.searchbrowse li a {color:#676767; text-decoration:none; } The medical examiner has not officially confirmed the remains belong to Bechtel and Foster, but Page is confident they are the teens. March 15, 2021. Sep 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm by Later. Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA. 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. Isom said there is a lot of conflicting information about several matters ? He is described as standing 5'8", weighing 150 pounds at the time of his disappearance. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am . Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. According to a 2012 story from Knox News , Bechtel and Foster had attended a party. Include your loved one's complete obituary on Legacy for just $10. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. They visited a mutual friend that day, then left the friend's house in Erin's black two-door 1998 Pontiac Grand Am. Bob Lowery, executive director for NCMEC's missing children's division, said some parents "are reluctant to give DNA because they do not want to face the reality that their children could be dead. Oak Lawn Funeral Home 1786 Smithville Hwy, Sparta, TN 38583. [2] As of July 2022, the police investigation was not closed, but foul play was ruled out from police lines of inquiry. Email us at exclusive@the-sun.com or call 212 416 4552. like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/TheSunUS and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunUS, Dances with Wolves actor pleads not guilty in 'sex cult' case, Star singer La Tigresa dies from a heart attack at 89 after storied career, TikTok star, 28, is charged with child abuse after 'attack on boyfriend', Rape survivor slams Gabby Petito Utah cop over handling of her case, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster may have been found after two decades, Credit: Facebook/Justice for Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster, Jeremy Sides discovered the teens' car with scan-sonar technology. Funeral Services will be held at 1:00 PM on Saturday, January 15, 2022 at Oak Lawn Funeral Home with Dwight Fuqua officiating. One friend tells the story about how Jeremy was always rapping- even performing rap songs during a talent show in the 6th grade. In November 2021, a man using sonar to look through parts of the Calfkiller River found a submerged car, which was almost completely intact and turned out to be Erin's car. When asked by the News Sentinel, Isom confirmed that Foster's ex-boyfriend, Gareth Bradley, remains "a person of interest." Erin went to a party at a friend's house where she saw Jeremy. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. November 7, 1982 - He has cooperated with us every time and in every way. "I don't believe they got out of White County that night," she said. 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. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Try again later. He was last seen wearing a dark T-shirt or a plaid shirt, baggy blue jeans, white Fila sneakers and a blue baseball cap or a green Army cap. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. Drag images here or select from your computer for Jeremy Lee Bechtel memorial. Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, disappeared without a trace on April 3, 2000, in White County, Tennessee. I don't believe they got out of White County that night, she said. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. Anyone with information on the case can contact Isom at 931-836-2700; or by email at chris_isom@hotmail.com. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Jeremy Lee Bechtel please visit our. It's surprising how much a musical selection can affect mourning. Ledbetter believes the girl in Florida was someone else who resembled Foster. Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Sorry! We have set your language to Michelle Willard. it was all I could think about really. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. 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. By most accounts, Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, were childhood friends. Burial will follow in Skurlock Cemetery. We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. Disappearance [ edit] Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were residents of Sparta, Tennessee. Now that he can finally give his son a burial, he said, Ive prayed that if hes not on this Earth, that hes with Jesus and with mama, and theres no doubt theyve all seen him by now and know whats happened.. Nine times out of 10 theyre in the water.. Jeremy Sides is a crime-solving YouTuber from Atlanta, Georgia who specializes in solving cold cases using advanced sonar technology. "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. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England. Jeremy's mother, for one, doesn't believe the teens ran away. Year should not be greater than current year. Janet Barsch (Bechtel) nee SidoffJanet A. Barsch (Bechtel) nee Sidoff, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in Waukesha, WI. Bechtel's mother, Rhonda Ledbetter, did give DNA. GREAT NEWS! Investigators believe they accidentally drove off the road into the river. The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, Humor, Satire, Parody and Writing from Emily Morehead, White County Sheriff's Office The theories were finally silenced earlier this month when Jeremy Sides, a scuba-diving YouTuber who solves cold cases, called White County Sheriff Steve Page to report that, after diving in a. Oak Lawn Funeral H-Cremation Cntr-Meml Cemetery. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. And none of their personal belongings are missing, except what they had with them, Ledbetter said. But we are not giving up on this case.". There is no photo or video of Jeremy Lee Bechtel.Be the first to share a memory to pay tribute. What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? 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. 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. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. 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. Twenty-one years ago in 2000, Erin Foster (18) and Jeremy Bechtel (17) were last seen in Erin's 1998 black Pontiac Grand Am. "Cars dont just disappear, Sides told The Washington Post. One person disappearing without a trace is mystery enough. When she got home, she asked her mother if she could go out on a school night. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. "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. 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.. 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. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235383836/jeremy-lee-bechtel. 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. "You can point to literally any scenario as to what happened that last night, and I cannot prove that any are right or wrong. Learn more about managing a memorial . You can always change this later in your Account settings. It was 10 PM on April 3rd in White County, Tennesse and they were leaving a party. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. It all depends on who you talk to, Isom said. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Our daughter is missing.. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. 931-836-2700. [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. she asked. 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. 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 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. It was the last time he talked to his son. 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. #searchbrowse-right {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} It was the last time she saw her daughter. "How many young blond girls do you think there are in Florida?" And he said he is inclined to believe the sighting of Foster in Florida was accurate. She didn't get her closure, having died in July 2018, and it doesn't seem like either family will get their much need closure any time soon, White County Sheriff's Office Detective Chris Isom said there are no suspects and no solution in sight. #searchlist h2 a {color:#222; text-decoration:none; } Since then, there has been no trace of Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster, and no sign of her car. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. There was an error deleting this problem. MINNIE BECHTEL OBITUARY. ", "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. April 3, 2000 Jeremy loved music and he enjoyed playing sports in. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. [2] Searches were undertaken locally, and also in Pensacola, Florida, during 2005 and 2006 following reports that Foster was living and working there. We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer, Isom said. Closer to home, authorities have periodically dug up wells in White County. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, disappeared without a trace on April 3, 2000, in White County, Tennessee. #searchlist {width:100%; border-bottom: 2px #e5e5e5 solid; margin: 3% 0 5% 0;} Add to your scrapbook. Contact [ emailprotected ] Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel memorial page and them... [ emailprotected ] 2012 story from Knox News, Bechtel and Paul and England. From an arcade before leaving for a party how Jeremy was always jeremy bechtel obituary even performing songs. Easy and FREE this person to be their own family member or one... 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