Friday, September 19, 2008

ARTICLE #99) DNA kits going to missing woman's family


Tuesday, January 22, 2008
DNA kits going to missing woman's family
Edmonton Sun by Canadian Press

KAMLOOPS, B.C. -- The parents of a missing Kamloops woman are being sent DNA swab kits to determine whether a burnt body found in Texas is that of their daughter.

Jessica Foster disappeared in Las Vegas two years ago after meeting a man at a party.

A facial reconstruction of a young woman was recently featured on America's Most Wanted.

Foster's mother, Glendene Grant, was alerted by friends that the image was similar to that of her daughter.

Grant said while the photo has similarities to Foster, she doesn't believe they're a match.


"The girl in the reconstruction, you know, she does have very beautiful teeth, and Jessie has always had very beautiful teeth," she said.

"So I contacted the police with this, and they contacted Texas, and now Texas is sending up DNA kits."

A kit is also being sent to Foster's father in Calgary.

Foster was last heard from March 29, 2006. The body of the woman featured on America's Most Wanted was found Oct. 29, 2006, badly burned alongside a highway in Kilgore, Texas. It's believed she's aged 17 to 22.

Authorities suspect Foster, who was 21 when she disappeared, may have been caught in a sex-trafficking ring.

Grant and ex-husband Dwight Foster hired a private investigator who found out the former straight-A student had travelled to the U.S. with a man she met at a reggae party.

Despite not having contact with her daughter for nearly two years, Grant still remains hopeful.

"I believe Jessie's alive with all my heart," she said. "But on the other hand, it's been almost two years and I'm realistic. I do understand."

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