Jeremy's mother, for one, doesn't believe the teens ran away. "I hope that someday we can find them both and bring them home to rest," she said. All photos uploaded successfully, click on the Done button to see the photos in the gallery. Expand the Memories and Condolences form. 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. If youre in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist. Isom said there is one witness who said she is certain she saw Foster without Bechtel late on the night they disappeared. March 15, 2021. Ways to honor Jeremy Bechtel's life and legacy. it was all I could think about really. If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. November 7, 1982 - It was the last anyone ever saw either of them. If anybody knows anything at all, please, please call, said Leigh Ann Foster said in a 2002 interview with SpartaLive.com. Online condolences may be made to the family at oaklawnmemorial.com. This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. 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. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. Sep 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm by Use the links under See more to quickly search for other people with the same last name in the same cemetery, city, county, etc. Numerous theories and speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel. #searchlist h2 a:hover {color:#222; border-bottom: 1px dotted #222;} Ledbetter believes the girl in Florida was someone else who resembled Foster. This browser does not support getting your location. cemeteries found within miles of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. "Cars dont just disappear, Sides told The Washington Post. 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. When two vanish together, the case can be more than twice as difficult. In 2005 and again in 2006, investigators actively searched for Foster in Pensacola, Fla., following reports that she was living and working there. 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. It all depends on who you talk to, Isom said. You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. You can send your sympathy in the guestbook provided and share it with the family. Janet Barsch (Bechtel) nee SidoffJanet A. Barsch (Bechtel) nee Sidoff, age 85, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, January 5, 2021, in Waukesha, WI. "Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. [5][3], Jeremy Sides, from Acworth, Georgia, broadcasts his efforts to solve missing people cold cases on a YouTube channel. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Try again. Verify and try again. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. 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. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. Numerous theories and speculations have arisen among law enforcement and the community as to what happened to Foster and Bechtel. [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. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have. [4] Foster was 18 at the time of her disappearance, while Bechtel was 17. Every lead we get, it seems like it becomes smoke that you can't hold in your hand. Resend Activation Email. Disappearance of Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel, "Case of 2 missing White Co. teens solved after more than 20 years", "Two teens went missing 21 years ago. We do run into this from time to time.". ul.searchbrowse li a:hover {color:#676767; border-bottom: 1px dotted #676767}, Photos: 37th Tennessee Homecoming brings history to life, Photos: Hurricane Matthew evacuees find shelter in Knoxville, Photos: Church Street United Methodist celebrates bicentennial, Photos: school coupon book kick off celebration, Photos: Bristol in anticipation for Battle at Bristol, Photos: Olive Garden provides meal for West Hills Fire Station No. We have set your language to And Ison said he is inclined to believe the sighting of Foster in Florida was accurate. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? The White County Sheriff's Office continues to do periodic reviews of the case. "I hope that someday we can find them both and bring them home to rest," Jeremy's mother Rhonda Ledbetter said in a 2012 interview with the Knox News-Sentinel. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. By most accounts, Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, were childhood friends. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. Missing from Sparta, Tn since 4/3/2000 Erin Foster & Jeremy Bechtel. 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 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. 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. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. 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.. He. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. "We had several people ID her photo, and one of them was a retired police officer," Isom said. When asked by the News Sentinel, Isom confirmed that Foster's ex-boyfriend, Gareth Bradley, remains "a person of interest." The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. [3][4], On November 24, 2021, scuba diver Jeremy Sides searched a lake near the location of the party attended by the teenagers. Anyone with information on the case can contact Isom at 931-836-2700; or by email at chris_isom@hotmail.com. This account has been disabled. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County. "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. It was 10 PM on April 3rd in White County, Tennesse and they were leaving a party. Erin Foster's car discovered in river 21 years later: Decades-old cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater. Becoming a Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE. Closer to home, authorities have periodically dug up wells in White County. JERRY BECHTEL OBITUARY Bechtel, Jerry J. But we are not giving up on this case.". Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. Jeremy was also very well-liked. In addition to his mother, he was preceded in death by his grandparents, Clifford and Betty Bechtel and Paul and Vera England. And the families of both teenagers are left grappling with more questions than answers. 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. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. The police reportedly followed leads that did not have a connection to Bechtel or Foster, leading to multiple dead ends. 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. There is a problem with your email/password. 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. We have gone in wells, dug up areas, we have used ground-penetrating equipment looking for bodies, Page told The Washington Post. Over the years there were many rumors and false leads about the two. She was last seen wearing long pants, sandals and three sets of earrings. 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. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. Be the first to post a memory or condolences. "It all depends on who you talk to," Isom said. Funeral arrangement under the care ofOak Lawn Funeral Home-Cremation Center and Memorial Cemetery. It just shattered my heart again. 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. Twenty-one years ago in 2000, Erin Foster (18) and Jeremy Bechtel (17) were last seen in Erin's 1998 black Pontiac Grand Am. 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 . Sorry! You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. "I need that closure.". Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. You may not upload any more photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 20 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 5 photos to this memorial, This photo was not uploaded because this memorial already has 30 photos, This photo was not uploaded because you have already uploaded 15 photos to this memorial. [2][3] The remains were later confirmed to be Foster and Bechtel, found in the vehicle after missing for 21 years. 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. Mary Eleanor "Ellie" Sedwick Bechtel, 95, a longtime Emlenton resident and former business owner, passed away following a brief illness on Wednesday, May 19, 2021, in the comfort of her home she. He reached out to Sides and asked him to work with investigators, suggesting he search Calfkiller River. The most recent obituary and service information is available at the Oak Lawn Funeral H-Cremation Cntr-Meml Cemetery website. Oak Lawn Funeral Home 1786 Smithville Hwy, Sparta, TN 38583. We've explored all the well avenues that we know of, unless some more information is developed. In the beginning, investigators thought the pair ran away together but the years since have made this theory less likely. Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. Try again later. Ledbetter said that while she no longer believes her son is alive she thinks about him and the case every day. Drag images here or select from your computer for Jeremy Lee Bechtel memorial. Since then, family members and investigators have been looking for the teens on the west side of White County. The Charley Project is NOT a registered non-profit organization and any donations will NOT be tax-deductible. ul.searchbrowse li {margin:0 0 5%; font-size:0.75em; /* 12/16 */ } 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. Legacy invites you to. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. 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 . When we asked him to take a polygraph, he did not hesitate, and he passed it.". What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative? He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. she asked. Please reset your password. They visited a mutual friend that day, then left the friend's house in Erin's black two-door 1998 Pontiac Grand Am. I dont have an easy way to say it, Sides told Page in hisYouTube video, "but I found them.. 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. He has cooperated with us every time and in every way. Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. 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. He reviewed the case again and realized signs pointed to the teenagers traveling down Highway 84. 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. One friend tells the story about how Jeremy was always rapping- even performing rap songs during a talent show in the 6th grade. She does not believe either her son or Foster 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. For memorials with more than one photo, additional photos will appear here or on the photos tab. Recommend Jeremy's obituary to your friends. On April 3, 2000, Jeremy Bechtel, 17, and Erin Foster, 18, both of Sparta, attended a party. 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. Allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial thought the pair ran.... A Find a Grave member is fast, easy and FREE case every.! Cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater - it was PM! 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