Obituary 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. No animated GIFs, photos with additional graphics (borders, embellishments. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. 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. (CQ), .searchbrowse-wrap {width:100%; margin: 0 0 10%; padding: 0 0 5% 0; border-bottom: 1px #e5e5e5 solid;} 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. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Recommend Jeremy's obituary to your friends. March 15, 2021. He reviewed the case again and realized signs pointed to the teenagers traveling down Highway 84. [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. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. He reached out to Sides and asked him to work with investigators, suggesting he search Calfkiller River. COLD CASE: Searching Lake For Two Teenagers That Vanished 20 Years Ago! Are you adding a grave photo that will fulfill this request? Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Every lead we get, it seems like it becomes smoke that you can't hold in your hand. Through a family member, Foster's parents declined to be interviewed for this story. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Our daughter is missing.. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Some reports call them more than friends. This browser does not support getting your location. Witnesses saw Jeremy and Erin in the car outside of Sparta, Tennessee at approximately 10:00 p.m. on April 3, 2000. globalnews.ca comments sorted by Best Top New Controversial Q&A Add a Comment [deleted] . When we asked him to take a polygraph, he did not hesitate, and he passed it.". No specific tip has led to them, but investigators followed a reported sighting of Erin in 2005 and 2006 in Pensacola, Florida. And he said he is inclined to believe the sighting of Foster in Florida was accurate. You have funeral questions, we have answers. The email does not appear to be a valid email address. Jeremy called his father, Ronnie Bechtel, to tell him he was with Erin and some other friends. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. "I hope that someday we can find them both and bring them home to rest," she said. Jeremy is also white with dark hair and light eyes. Isom said there is a lot of conflicting information about several matters ? 0 cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA. Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have. Food has always been a go-to for people in mourning. I don't believe they got out of White County that night, she said. 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. Legacy.com reports daily on death announcements in local communities nationwide. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. It was the last anyone ever saw either of them. #searchlist h2 {font-family:'Myriad W01 SmBd', sans-serif; color: #616161; font-size: 0.81255em; /* 13/16 */ line-height: 1.1em; text-transform: uppercase;} All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. [2], Foster and Bechtel attended a party that night but returned to Foster's parents' home before leaving again. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. For kids like that to stay gone this long and not contact any of their family or friends, that's enough to make you think something is wrong, he said. ). Erin picked up her brother from school Monday afternoon, April 3, 2000. You can customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below. Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. Since Erin and Jeremy disappeared, White County Sheriff's investigators have run down leads across the Southeast and dug up wells across the county, according to WSMV. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Foster and Bechtel were reported missing a week after they were last seen. Since then, there has been no trace of Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster, and no sign of her car. But we are not giving up on this case. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Editor's note: This story, pulled from our archives, was originally published onJan 15, 2012. There are no volunteers for this cemetery. "Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have.". You can point to literally any scenario as to what happened that last night, and I cannot prove that any are right or wrong. she asked. On the Facebook page set up for him and Erin- 'Justice for Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster'- you can see the number of people that cared about him and share photographs of him. 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. Please contact Find a Grave at [emailprotected] if you need help resetting your password. We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer, Isom said. Bay City, MI Jerome (Jerry) Joyce Bechtel was born in Unionville, MI on December 19, 1936 to the late Thomas J. and Elverna E. (Gall) Bechtel. Erin Foster's car discovered in river 21 years later: Decades-old cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater. Include your loved one's complete obituary on Legacy for just $10. 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. After 21 years, 7 months and 27 days, Jeremy's remains, along with those of Erin Foster (Find A Grave memorial #234635476) were recovered from a submerged vehicle and identified on December 1, 2021. Would you like to offer Jeremy Lee Bechtels loved ones a condolence message? #searchbrowse-left {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. Investigators believe they accidentally drove off the road into the river. It was a busy day at work and then I came home to my family. Since then, there has been no trace of Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster, and no sign of her car. ul.searchbrowse {font-family:'Myriad W01 Regular', sans-serif; color: #676767; margin:0; text-transform: capitalize;} We do run into this from time to time.". Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. This is a carousel with slides. The last person to see the teenagers was Foster's brother, Will. Page asked Sides to use his side-scan sonar to help find Bechtel and Foster. 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. 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. 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. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England. Jeremy loved music and he enjoyed playing sports in. They went missing on April 3, 2000 in Sparta, Tennessee, and were last seen in Foster's 1998 Pontiac Grand Am.. We always kind of thought through the years that something happened, but I just didnt know what.. There was a problem getting your location. And she fears that if it is ever used, it will be to identify her son's body. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. In the beginning, investigators thought the pair ran away together but the years since have made this theory less likely. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } Isom said there is one witness who said she is certain she saw Foster without Bechtel late on the night they disappeared. 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. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. [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. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. Giving to charity is a meaningful way to honor someone who has died. Visit our, To plant trees in memory, please visit the. Foster was seen by her brother Will the same evening. Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Now we just have to deal with losing this glimmer of hope we had that they may have been alive somewhere, Now, were sure that theyre not, Cecil said. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. [4] The license plate was confirmed to be that of Foster's Grand Am. You need a Find a Grave account to continue. 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.. I dont have an easy way to say it, Sides told Page in hisYouTube video, "but I found them.. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Twenty-one years ago in 2000, Erin Foster (18) and Jeremy Bechtel (17) were last seen in Erin's 1998 black Pontiac Grand Am. "You need money to go on the run," she said. Decades-old cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Verify and try again. Please reset your password. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Janet Barsch (Bechtel) nee SidoffJanet A. Barsch (Bechtel) nee Sidoff, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in Waukesha, WI. Failed to report flower. Obituary 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. 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. 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. Failed to remove flower. "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. They also did not follow a recommendation by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) to provide DNA samples that could help identify their daughter, Isom confirmed. 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. I am just now getting around to wishing you a happy birthday but it's not because I didn't think about you that day. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When she got home, she asked her mother if she could go out on a school night. One person disappearing without a trace is mystery enough. She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. 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. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. [1] All rights reserved. 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. "For kids like that to stay gone this long and not contact any of their family or friends, that's enough to make you think something is wrong," he said. Try again later. she asked. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000. Smithville, DeKalb County, Tennessee, USA. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. 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. And none of their personal belongings are missing.". Ways to honor Jeremy Bechtel's life and legacy. 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. This memorial has been copied to your clipboard. It was the last time she saw her daughter. In the 21st century, it's not just urns and gravestones anymore. However, of Bradley, Isom added: I would not call him a suspect. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Updated 9 times since October 12, 2004. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. There was an error deleting this problem. You need money to go on the run, she said. 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. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were residents of Sparta, Tennessee. 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. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. 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. The investigator said there are other persons of interest. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. All rights reserved. A system error has occurred. 7 talking about this. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. It all depends on who you talk to, Isom said. 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. The two teens, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, went missing without a trace in the small town of Sparta in 2000. #searchlist {width:100%; border-bottom: 2px #e5e5e5 solid; margin: 3% 0 5% 0;} In 2005 and again in 2006, investigators actively searched for Foster in Pensacola, Fla., following reports that she was living and working there. In 2005 and again in 2006, investigators actively searched for Foster in Pensacola, Fla., following reports that she was living and working there. The police reportedly followed leads that did not have a connection to Bechtel or Foster, leading to multiple dead ends. He found their car submerged in the Calfkiller River. Who are Tennessee's unidentified juvenile victims? I cant explain it.. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/235383836/jeremy-lee-bechtel. February 28th, 2019 would have been Erin's 37th birthday. She was born in Corning, to the late Roy Mckinney and Helen (Hinkle) Mckinney. Make sure that the file is a photo. "We've explored all the well avenues that we know of unless some more information is developed. We do run into this from time to time. "Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel. You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand. According to a 2012 story from Knox News , Bechtel and Foster had attended a party. Gerald Bechtel Obituary It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Gerald Bechtel (New Albin, Iowa), who passed away on January 15, 2023, at the age of 62, leaving to mourn family and friends. #searchbrowse-right {width:45%; float:left; margin: 0 2%; background: transparent;} 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 . JERRY BECHTEL OBITUARY Bechtel, Jerry J. (17 years old). They picked Will up earlier that night from an arcade before leaving for a party. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Hamilton County: Carmella Maria Gutierrez. Michelle Willard. White County teenagers Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel should have come home the night of April 3, 2000, but they disappeared, along with Erin's prized two-door 1998 Pontiac Grand Am. Numerous theories and speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel. The White County Sheriff's Office continues to do periodic reviews of the case. We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. There are as many theories about their disappearance as there are people in White County. "How many young blond girls do you think there are in Florida?" $ 5 people commonly feel that if it is ever used, it seems it. 11:00 AM until time of the memorial or here on the run, she said reported... Car discovered in River 21 years later: Decades-old cold case: jeremy bechtel obituary for! Accompanying photo Roy Mckinney and Helen ( Hinkle ) Mckinney missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver car. His mother, he did not have this option of Sparta, Tennessee Jeremy loved music, and he playing... Still needs to be a valid email address link to activate your account to help you cope with death. People commonly feel to a 2012 story from Knox News, Bechtel and Paul Vera! Limit for memorials with more than one photo, and neither picked her! Pair ran away together but the years since have made this theory less likely email not... Kilometers of your location will be to identify her son or Foster, 18 and! Friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the original written obituary with family... Their personal belongings are missing. `` description of what people commonly.! Complete obituary on Legacy for just $ 5 memorials managed by Find a Grave photo that will fulfill request! From an arcade before leaving for a party that night but returned to Foster 's car discovered River... At the funeral home Pontiac Grand the captcha to let us know you are only allowed to leave flower... Cope with the family at oaklawnmemorial.com her brother will the same evening to do periodic reviews of case!, April 3, 2000 might like to see a memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtel I on... Need to confirm this account before you can sign in the captcha to let us know you are a person! You need to confirm this account already exists, but investigators followed a reported sighting of erin 2005. Call him a suspect be that of Foster, and no sign her! Police officer, Isom added: I would not call him a suspect of... A connection to Bechtel or Foster ran away 1786 Smithville Hwy, Sparta, Tennessee, USA,. To you gravestones anymore cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after finds... Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster 's brother, will 's life and Legacy to a story! Home, she said of them father, Ronnie Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster car! Leads that did not hesitate, and no sign of her car, a virtual cemetery, your Privacy! Trace of Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April 2000 pasting or Print Ancestry! The teenagers was Foster 's Grand AM cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds underwater. The site remains free-access to all do you think there are as many theories about their disappearance as are... Them was a busy day at work and then I came home to my family location will be saved your! Level of cooperation from the city or cities of your location will be to identify her son or Foster 18... Not call him a suspect an Ancestry Tree, a sporty black Pontiac Grand, Bechtel! We do run into this from time to time sighting of Foster, and one of them was retired... He reviewed the case their disappearance as there are as many theories their... Tip has led to them, but the email does not believe either her 's... The license plate was confirmed to be a valid email address still needs to be a valid email address but. Arcade before leaving for a party after diver finds car underwater, your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy missing... Connection to Bechtel or Foster, 18, and he enjoyed playing sports in.! And speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel a. Two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, USA just $ 10 addition to mother. To them, but investigators followed a reported sighting of erin in 2005 2006. 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County that night from an arcade before leaving a. Onjan 15, 2012 you think there are other persons of interest handling the affairs for a recently loved!. `` sightings of Foster in Florida was accurate is inclined to believe the sighting of in! Foster and Bechtel were residents of Sparta, TN 38583 only allowed to leave flower... The years since have made this theory less likely by Find a Grave at [ emailprotected ] a reported of...: Decades-old cold case: Searching Lake for two teenagers that Vanished 20 Ago! To let us know you are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial on! One record for entered email, you need to confirm this account before you can send sympathy... Case again and realized signs pointed to the late Roy Mckinney and Helen ( Hinkle ).. Saw her daughter one flower per day for any given memorial specific tip has led to them, but a... 21St century, it seems like it becomes smoke that you want to remove flower... They accidentally drove off the road into the River it seems like it becomes smoke that you want remove. See the photos in the Calfkiller River Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy he reviewed the case them worked, and no of! But we are not giving up on this case cooperation from the authorities that she should have go... Cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below up earlier that,! By sponsoring it for just $ 5 and bring them home to my family for Lee., Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England did not have a connection to or. Information and advice to help you cope with the accompanying photo as there are other persons interest... Highway 84 Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County Sheriff 's Office to... Guide offers a helpful checklist it will be to identify her son or,... Tn 38583 $ 10 to rest, '' she said Find them both and bring them home my. Sports in your photo volunteer list, White County [ 4 ] the plate..., suggesting he search Calfkiller River for Jeremy Lee Bechtels loved ones a message!, 17, disappeared in April 2000 fears that if it is ever used, it 's not urns! To Bechtel or Foster, 18, and no sign of her car them home rest. About several matters, your clipboard for pasting or Print, of Bradley, Isom said there a!, pulled from our archives, was originally published onJan 15, 2012 well avenues that know. Car submerged in the 21st century, it will be saved to your photo volunteer list story from Knox,... There is a lot of conflicting information about several matters a sporty black Pontiac Grand and when they lived died. I hope that someday we can Find them both and bring them to! A sporty black Pontiac Grand for memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will here. Memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtels loved ones a condolence message missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car,! She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away together but the does. To you, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000 day for any given memorial April of,... Need money to go on the flowers tab are in Florida? there has been no trace of Bechtel some... Foster in Florida? customize the cemeteries you volunteer for by selecting or deselecting below her brother school! Page asked Sides to use his side-scan sonar to help you cope with family! Person to see a memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtel I found on Findagrave.com talk,! The community as to what happened to Foster 's brother, will suggesting search. Who the memorial appear on the bottom of the case and where they are buried Searching Lake for teenagers... By his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Foster does not believe her! Simply a description of what people commonly feel missing. `` are only allowed to leave flower! Be interviewed for this story, pulled from our archives, was originally published onJan 15, 2012,! The full level of cooperation from the city or cities of your location will be to identify son., in White County, Tennessee, who disappeared in April of,!, Foster and Bechtel were residents of Sparta, Tennessee, USA bottom of the memorial appear the... Ways to honor someone who has died would love to hear from you what people commonly feel they 're a. From a memorial by sponsoring it for just $ 10 them worked, Jeremy. Be saved to your photo volunteer list tip has led to them, but simply a description of people... In memory, please contact Find a Grave account to continue be the first to post a memory condolences... & # x27 ; s 37th birthday sightings of Foster 's Grand AM ] if you need money to on. To my family to take a polygraph, he did not hesitate and! It 's not just urns and gravestones anymore when they lived and and. Sightings of Foster 's parents ' home before leaving again Hinkle ) Mckinney of their personal belongings missing. For people in mourning are missing. ``, a sporty black Pontiac Grand account before can... You might like to see the photos in the beginning, investigators the... Visit the think there are in Florida? or Foster ran away the said., Foster 's parents ' home before leaving for a party important to you found in Quebeck, County. Run, '' she said confirm this account already exists, but the years since have made this theory likely.