PINEVILLE - Kentucky State Police have two long-pending cold cases, in Bell County. They involve Jennifer L. Bailey, in 1990 and Greta R. Henson of Middlesboro in 1992. While there are others that are older, these are the two that continually stay on the state police cold case file, for Bell County.
The 1990 case continuously receives publicity and was recently featured on a Knoxville television station. It involves Jennifer Lee Bailey of Greasy Creek. She was 21 years-old when she went missing on August 16, 1990 while jogging on what is locally called “The Fat Track”, in Pine Mountain State Park, near Pineville. She was found ten days later, August 26, 1990 one and a half mile from where her vehicle was parked at the entrance to the “Fat Track”.
Bailey went to Pine Mountain State Resort Park to jog, as was her custom. She was last seen just before going to the park at the Bell County Elementary School. Her body was found ten days later in an area known as the “Old Gravel Pit”, in Pine Mountain State Resort Park.
She worked at the Wal-Mart in Barbourville and her car was parked on Asher Sawmill Road. Her purse and keys were found inside the car. The car was undisturbed and unlocked. A search was begun at 5 p.m., on the day she went missing. Searchers, which included Pineville Police, state police and members of the Bell County Rescue Squad, search the area, including the “Fat Track” looking for the missing woman.
During the next four days members of the Pineville Police Department, Kentucky State Police, Pineville Fire Department and Bell County Sheriff’s Department began a search of Pine Mountain State Resort Park. Later the Kentucky Search Dog Association joined in the search.
On August 26, 1990 while again searching the area known as the “Gravel Pit,” which dogs had previously search, her body was found.
Kentucky State Police Public Relations Officer John Collins stated “This is the first time any thing like this has ever happened in this area. It’s an impact that’s going to be felt for a very long time,” he correctly predicted.
Dr. David Wolfe, forensic anthropologist with the Kentucky Medical Examiners Office stated the young Bell County woman had been strangled to death and raped.
There has been speculation that Jennifer’s body had been removed and then placed where she was found.
There is a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Jennifer’s killer.
Anyone with any information about this case is urged to call Trooper Curtis Pingleton of the Kentucky State Police Post 10 Harlan at 606-573-3131.
Another similar murder case, that from time to time, has been connected with Bailey’s murder is that of Greta R. Henson 24, of the Beltline, near Kentucky Highway 441, in Middlesboro. She worked, for six years at John Rowland Chevrolet since she graduated high school.
Greta Henson’s body was found murdered by her parents, about two hours after the incident. The murder was initially investigated by then Detective Wendell Proctor of the Middlesboro Police.
Little information has been released about this murder. It was determined that there was no forced entry into the mobile home. Police stated she may have known her killer or killers. Both of her hands were tied together, behind her back and her feet were tied, both with wire. She then was shot five times in the head and back with a .38 caliber handgun, that has been called an execution-style murder.
The case was later turned over to the Kentucky State Police who is asking anyone with any information about this murder to contact Detective Don Perry, Kentucky State Police Post 10, Harlan at 606-573-3131.
C.J. Harte is a Correspondent for the Daily News. He can be reached via e-mail at charte@middlesborodailynews.com.
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