Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. He has cooperated with us every time and in every way. And the families of both teenagers are left grappling with more questions than answers. Year should not be greater than current year. Echovita Inc is a registered trademark. Remove advertising from a memorial by sponsoring it for just $5. 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. Since then, there has been no trace of Bechtel, some unproven sightings of Foster, and no sign of her car. According to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the teens were last spotted around. Please enter your email and password to sign in. Erin and Jeremy left the party and were last seen around 10 p.m. April 3, 2000, driving Erin's car outside of Sparta. It was the last anyone ever saw either of them. Their bodies were found in Foster's vehicle in 2021 by Jeremy Sides, a volunteer civilian cold-case investigator and YouTuber. Your Scrapbook is currently empty. 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. Decades-old cold case of missing Tennessee teens reopened after diver finds car underwater, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Edit a memorial you manage or suggest changes to the memorial manager. Prepare a personalized obituary for someone you loved.. November 7, 1982 - Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17 were last seen on April 3, 2000, after leaving Foster's home. [4] Foster was 18 at the time of her disappearance, while Bechtel was 17. 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. Jeremy loved music, and he enjoyed playing sports in school. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Expand the Memories and Condolences form. Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have. White County Sheriff Steve Page said he saw the video and realized that Sides was using a scan-sonar technology their department didn't have access to. In Memory of Jeremy Bechtel and Erin Foster | Sparta TN Scuba diver finds remains of Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel, 18 and 17, who disappeared near Sparta, TN in 2000. 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. Try again. Share this memorial using social media sites or email. (CQ), .searchbrowse-wrap {width:100%; margin: 0 0 10%; padding: 0 0 5% 0; border-bottom: 1px #e5e5e5 solid;} He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. Investigators believe they accidentally drove off the road into the river. "You can point to literally any scenario as to what happened that last night, and I cannot prove that any are right or wrong. it was all I could think about really. Information and advice to help you cope with the death of someone important to you. Learn more about merges. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. And none of their personal belongings are missing.". Authorize the publication of the original written obituary with the accompanying photo. In the beginning, investigators thought the pair ran away together but the years since have made this theory less likely. 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. According to a one-page missing person's report filed by Erin's parents, she and Jeremy left a party to pick. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000. GREAT NEWS! Jeremy called his father, Ronnie Bechtel, to tell him he was with Erin and some other friends. He was born November 7, 1982 in Smithville, Tennessee to Ronnie Lee Bechtel and to the late Rhonda England Bechtel Ledbetter. "Rhonda (Ledbetter) does not feel like she has received the full level of cooperation from the authorities that she should have.". Family and friends are welcome to send flowers or leave their condolences on this memorial page and share them with the family. Since then, family members and investigators have been looking for the teens on the west side of White County. 2017-2023 Tribute Archive. The best poems for funerals, memorial services., and cards. 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. Janet was born February 21, 1935 in West Allis, WI, All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Every lead we get, it seems like it becomes smoke that you can't hold in your hand. 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. Learn more about managing a memorial . The White County Sheriff's Office continues to do periodic reviews of the case. "Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. Sep 17, 2018 at 12:00 pm by When we asked him to take a polygraph, he did not hesitate, and he passed it.". 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. He reached out to Sides and asked him to work with investigators, suggesting he search Calfkiller River. There was a problem getting your location. This is a carousel with slides. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. 0 cemeteries found in Quebeck, White County, Tennessee, USA. We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time. Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. According to a 2012 story from Knox News , Bechtel and Foster had attended a party. Every lead we get, it seems like it becomes smoke that you can't hold in your hand. "I need that closure.". Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand. He would not say who, how many or how they are connected to the case. Jeremy loved music and he enjoyed playing sports in. We do run into this from time to time.". This relationship is not possible based on lifespan dates. Just a few months back, we dug up another well, Isom said. Write your message of sympathy today. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. (17 years old). We have set your language to 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. Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love. 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. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Include gps location with grave photos where possible. Erin Foster, 18, and Jeremy Bechtel, 17, disappeared in April of 2000, in White County. Later that night, around 10 p.m., they were seen together in her car, a sporty black Pontiac Grand Am. [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. Erin Foster and Jeremy Bechtel were two American teenagers from Sparta, Tennessee, who disappeared in April 2000. 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. A unique and lasting tribute for a loved one. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. When two vanish together, the case can be more than twice as difficult. 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. 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 . It was the last time she saw her daughter. 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. ul.searchbrowse {font-family:'Myriad W01 Regular', sans-serif; color: #676767; margin:0; text-transform: capitalize;} Isom said there is a lot of conflicting information about several matters ? Closer to home, authorities have periodically dug up wells in White County. Isom said there is one witness who said she is certain she saw Foster without Bechtel late on the night they disappeared. Isom said that even if Foster and Bechtel meant to leave, something has since happened to them. Grief researchers say holding that missing funeral service, even a year or more later, can still help us heal. One tip said the teenagers had been murdered and their bodies disposed of in an abandoned well in rural White County. Updated 9 times since October 12, 2004. Receive obituaries from the city or cities of your choice. Failed to delete memorial. Who are Tennessee's unidentified juvenile victims? I thought you might like to see a memorial for Jeremy Lee Bechtel I found on Findagrave.com. Try again later. 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. A system error has occurred. Foster and Bechtel were reported missing a week after they were last seen. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Failed to report flower. Legacy invites you to. He has cooperated with us every time and in every way. Verify and try again. She was last seen wearing long pants, sandals and three sets of earrings. Both of them worked, and neither picked up their last paychecks. 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. Ways to honor Jeremy Bechtel's life and legacy. When asked by the News Sentinel, Isom confirmed that Foster's ex-boyfriend, Gareth Bradley, remains "a person of interest." One person disappearing without a trace is mystery enough. "You need money to go on the run," she told the News-Sentinel in 2012. 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. [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. 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. To use this feature, use a newer browser. 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 person disappearing without a trace is mysterious enough. Jeremy is also white with dark hair and light eyes. You need money to go on the run, she said. "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. Through a family member, Foster's parents declined to be interviewed for this story. You have chosen this person to be their own family member. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. 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. Isom said there is one witness who said she is certain she saw Foster without Bechtel late on the night they disappeared. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. Page asked Sides to use his side-scan sonar to help find Bechtel and Foster. She does not believe either her son or Foster ran away. The family will welcome friends on Saturday from 11:00 AM until time of the service at the funeral home. Michelle Willard. Donations are accepted but not expected; the site remains free-access to all. including whether or not Bechtel and Foster were a romantic couple, casually dating, or just close friends as they had been for several years. It didn't take long for him to detect a car and make a dive to see for himself. In 2005 and again in 2006, investigators actively searched for Foster in Pensacola, Fla., following reports that she was living and working there. 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