DA: Pieper was 'consumed with evil' on the day he killed Jenni-Lyn Watson

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – An indictment from the Onondaga County District Attorney's office, which was obtained by NewsChannel 9, states the cause of Jenni-Lyn Watson's death was strangulation and suffocation.

The indictment says that Steven Pieper intentionally "strangled and suffocated Jenni-Lyn Watson causing her death by asphyxia" on Nov. 19.

According to the Onondaga County Sheriff’s Office, Pieper then placed Watson in his car and drove to a nearby park, where he dumped her body.

Syracuse (WSYR-TV) – A man accused of killing Jenni-Lyn Watson was indicted by an Onondaga County Grand Jury on Monday.

Steven Pieper, of Coconut Tree Drive in Liverpool, was indicted on a charge of murder in the second degree.

He will be arraigned on Tuesday morning, Feb. 15.

According to Sheriff's Investigators, Pieper killed Watson at her family's home in the Liverpool area. The 20-year-old was home from college in order to visit her parents. Pieper then dumped the woman's body in a park in Clay, touching off a search for Watson that drew state-wide attention.

At the time of his arrest, investigators said that Pieper had become a suspect early on.

Clay (WSYR-TV) - In the wake of the tragic disappearance and death of Jenni-Lyn Watson, Central New Yorkers banded together. Now, her family and friends are asking people to join together once more, for a good cause.

Jackie Watson, Jenni-Lyn's mother, says that two benefits are planned to raise money for dance scholarships in her daughter's honor.

The first event will be held Sunday, January 2, from noon to 7:00 p.m. at Sharkey's Sports Bar in Liverpool and will raise money to create a scholarship fund at Mercyhurst College. It will include performances from about a dozen local bands. Tickets for that event cost $20 and include a buffet meal and draft beer. Those too young to drink can attend for $15.

The Born Again Rebels say they didn't know Jenni-Lyn, but they knew her story and the love the whole community had for her. They want to perform at the benefit because they say music is the best way they know to honor her memory.

"Throwing one great party never hurts people's memories," said Born Again Rebel Eric Maliszewski. "It'll stay with people."

"People that don't even know the Watson's or Jenni-Lyn, they felt so bad for the situation that they wanted to help in some way. I think its part of the human spirit that when there is a tragedy to help," said event organizer Paul Davie.

Davie says all the bands that will be performing at Sharkey's in Jenni-Lyn's benefit came together with the same intent. "This is how they grieve. They mourn and become happy again so that's what everyone is doing today," he said.

Many others are also involved in making t-shirts, bracelets and bumper stickers to sell, or organizing a raffle to help raise even more money for the dance scholarships. Jonathan Bee, who attended high school with Jenni-Lyn, says he is involved to help other people achieve the dream that his friend had lived, "by providing financial support so students are able to pursue their dance aspirations at Mercyhurst or at another college."

The second fundraiser will be a memorial concert held Monday, January 3, from 5:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at New Beginnings Christian Center on State Fair Boulevard. Proceeds from the event will allow the Watson family to create local scholarships for dancers.

Jackie Watson also released a written statement to the community Thursday, December 23:

The Watson Family would like to thank the community for their heartfelt prayers and support over the past month.

We are overwhelmed with the enormous amount of love, support, condolence, thoughts and prayers from Central New York, Erie Pennsylvania and others from across the United States and gain our strength from them as well as God.  You all have openly stood with us in our grief.

Everyone who was and continues to be on team Jenni-Lyn, including our own family members, the Kinahan family, our entire neighborhood, Jenni-Lyn’s friends, Mercyhurst College, SoMar Dance Works, St. Margaret’s Church, Thomas Pirro, Father Francis Pompei, Co-Workers, countless scores of local businesses, the Onondaga County Sherriff’s Department, contributing law enforcement agencies, search and rescue teams, Liverpool High School Class of 2008, our DA Bill Fitzpatrick, all those dropping off cards and remembrances at our doorstep, thank you.  The dignity, focus and energy in which you gave of yourselves have been powerful and sustaining to us.

For all those grieving Jenni-Lyn’s loss, all who knew her and those who wish they had, may you find comfort in your neighbor, friend, and community this holiday season.  Give of and from your heart, be true to yourselves, live life to the fullest as Jenni-Lyn did.

Mattydale (WSYR-TV) - Funeral services for a Liverpool woman whose body was found in a town of Clay park were held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church in Mattydale.

The body of Jenni-Lyn Watson, 20, was found at Clay Central Park, just over a week after she disappeared on Friday, Nov. 19. She was covered in leaves and vegetation.

Her ex-boyfriend, Steven Pieper, was arrested Saturday. The Onondaga County Sheriff's Office charged the 21-year-old with second-degree murder. Investigators say Pieper killed Watson, a junior dance major at Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania, in her parents' home while she was visiting on Thanksgiving break.

Pieper pleaded not guilty in Town of Clay Court. He was set to appear in Clay Town Court Friday, but his case was waived to a Grand Jury.

Town of Salina (WSYR-TV) - Friends and family members gathered to say goodbye to Jenni-Lyn Watson on Tuesday.

Calling hours for the 20-year-old were held at the Thomas J. Pirro funeral home in the Town of Salina.

Her funeral will be Wednesday morning at 11:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church on Roxboro Road in Mattydale.

Watson's former boyfriend, Steven Pieper, is accused of murdering her, and leaving her body at Clay Central Park.

Clay (WSYR-TV) - The Onondaga County District Attorney has confirmed that several elements led to the Sheriff's Department focusing on Jenni-Lyn Watson's ex-boyfriend in the investigation into her disappearance.

District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says that a cell phone belonging to Steven Pieper was found at the Watson home the same day the missing girl disappeared. They believe he used Watson's cell phone to generate an alibi by texting friends.

Investigators believe that after Pieper allegedly killed Watson, he backed his car up into the family's garage and placed her body in the trunk before hiding it in Clay Central Park.

Small signs in memory of Watson still dot the landscape at the park, two days after authorities found her body hours before charging Pieper with murder.

Investigators also say they're still looking for help from anyone who may have seen a Volkswagen Jetta at the park on Friday between 11 a.m. and noon.

"Absolutely, anything that can help, we'll pass that right along," said Undersheriff Warren Darby.

On Monday, students at Liverpool High School - where both Watson and Pieper attended class, and where the victim's father is a school board member - were wearing yellow in her memory and observed a moment of silence.

One person who knew both Jenni-Lyn Watson and Steven Pieper told NewsChannel 9 she was shocked but not surprised by what happened.

Alyssa Copp says she knows Pieper from her days at Liverpool High School and from the gym where both work out.  "He wasn't violent from what I knew, just a normal kid.”

When asked if she was surprised, Copp said, “Surprised that we would snap and do it?  Surprised that it was him?  I wouldn't put it past him.”

Copp showed us Pieper's Facebook page, one in which he professes his love for Jenni-Lyn even after her death, and one in which he changed his status to single after the pair broke up last month.

“I just don't understand how anyone could do this,” Copp said.

Calling hours for will be held Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thomas J. Pirro Funeral Home on Vickery Road near the corner of Buckley and Hopkins Roads in North Syracuse.

The funeral service for Watson will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church on Roxboro Road in Mattydale.

The family requests that anyone who attends the calling hours or the funeral maintain a degree of reverence.

"Keep it reverent as possible, it is a tragic case, i think people need to respect this, I'm sure they will," said Funeral Home owner Thomas J. Pirro.

North Syracuse (WSYR-TV) - Services for Jenni-Lyn Watson have been finalized. Calling hours for the 20-year-old Liverpool woman who was found dead after a search that lasted several days will be held Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Thomas J. Pirro Funeral Home on Vickery Road near the corner of Buckley and Hopkins Roads in North Syracuse.

The funeral service for Watson will be held Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at St. Margaret's Church on Roxboro Road in Mattydale.

Sheriff's Department Investigators began looking for Watson after she went missing on Nov. 19. Her body was found on Saturday near Wetzel Road. Her ex-boyfriend, 21-year-old Steven Pieper, was arrested shortly after her body was found.

ONONDAGA LAKE PARK, NY (WSYR-TV) - Candles at Onondaga Lake Park struggled to hold on, just like the friends and strangers, who are all united by the story of one young woman.

About 150 people gathered for a vigil at the park's Butterfly Garden Sunday night.

Fond memories are all that's left, permanently written on wooden crosses held by her former classmates who wish they hadn't grown apart.

"It just reminds us that we should keep in contact. A lot of us didn't keep in contact with Jenni when she went away to school and that's one of our biggest regrets," said Melissa Volick.

"It's definitely a shocker that it happened, but you have to enjoy everyday you have here still," said Chris Webster, who organized the vigil.

It's a loss that hits this class twice. They're also dealing with the news that it was one of their former classmates, who authorities say is the prime suspect in her murder.

"Everyday people would ask me could he have done it I said no, no way and then Saturday rolled around and then I was like you're kidding me, I defended you," said Jessica Volk.

If there's one thing keeping her family and friends together, it's knowing that they had to a chance to know a woman who has danced her way into so many people's hearts.

A vigil was also held Sunday night at Mercyhurst College in Erie, Pennsylvania, where Jenni-Lyn was a junior dance major. Students will return to class there Monday and counselors will be on hand.

SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) - The Onondaga County District Attorney says the physical examination of the 20-year old's body is complete.

But the medical examiner is still reviewing slides and other materials, as part of the autopsy.

The district attorney and medical examiner are not releasing any of the initial findings right now. He tell us they most likely won't be released until after the case is reviewed by a grand jury.

Clay (WSYR-TV) - 21-year-old Steven Pieper has pleaded not guilty in Clay Town Court to charges of second degree murder, in connection with the death of 20-year-old Jenni-Lyn Watson.

The Liverpool man, and ex-boyfriend of Watson, was arraigned just after 7:30 Saturday evening in front of Clay Town Justice Brian Lauri. Pieper did not have anything to say, but did answer routine questions from the judge.

Judge Lauri also read the court document to Pieper, which says that he intentionally caused the death of Jenni-Lyn Watson by a manner that has yet to be determined. It goes on to say that Pieper removed Watson's body from the family's home along Donegal Way in Clay and then transported and dumped her remains in the Clay Central Park.

Pieper, dressed in a track suit, showed no remorse during the court proceedings.

Investigators say the body of Jenni-Lyn was found around 10:30 Saturday morning in a heavily wooded area near the park, just 350 yards from Wetzel Road. They say her body was covered by grass and other vegetation and would not have been visible to passers-by. The remains have been transported to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's office and an autopsy will be performed Sunday to determine the cause of death.

Pieper is being held at the Onondaga County Justice Center without bail because of the charge, which is a Class A1 felony. He is expected back in Clay Town Court this Friday, December 3rd.

Clay (WSYR-TV) - Sheriff's deputies, in conjunction with the Onondaga County District Attorney's office, say they have arrested 21-year-old Steven Pieper of Liverpool and charged him with second degree murder in the death of 20-year-old Jenni-Lyn Watson.

Pieper, of 8237 Coconut Tree Drive, was arrested just after 4 o'clock Saturday evening.  He is expected to be arraigned sometime Saturday evening in Clay Town Court. 

District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick says Jenni-Lyn Watson and Pieper had an on-and-off relationship over the course of 18 months. He says Jenni-Lyn decided she wanted to end that relationship in early October but that message was not clear to Pieper.

Fitzpatrick says Pieper, who was a suspect in the investigation early on, visited the Watson home along Donegal Way in the Town of Clay sometime between 11am and 12pm on Friday, November 19th; the day Watson disappeared. He says Pieper was driving a Volkswagon Jetta, in hopes someone saw that car in the area of Jenni-Lyn's home. 

The DA says investigators believe Jenni-Lyn was killed at her home and then taken in that Jetta to the wooded area near the Clay Town Park, where her body was discovered Saturday morning. Fitzpatrick says there were no visible signs of struggle from Jenni-Lyn.

Investigators say Verizon phone records from Jenni-Lyn's phone show a call had been made on Friday, the 19th, in the area where Jenni-Lyn's body was found. They say those phone records were part of the reason why search teams had not strayed very far from the 1,200 acres they've been combing over the last several days. Investigators believe they know what happened to Jenni-Lyn's phone, but have not retrieved it.

The Sheriff's Department recently asked people to inform them if they'd seen a dark-colored pickup truck near Donegal Way the day Jenni-Lyn disappeared. When asked during a press conference this afternoon how that truck played a role in this investigation, Fitzpatrick said it would be revealed at the trial. He says members of the community no longer need to contact them about a pickup truck and if they see one in the area, they should not be concerned. 

Steven Pieper has been interviewed by investigators twice and has an attorney. We're told he is denying any involvement in Jenni-Lyn's death.  Pieper does not have a lengthy criminal record.

Jenni-Lyn's body has been transported to the Onondaga County Medical Examiner's office and an autopsy will be performed tomorrow morning to determine the cause of death.

The investigation is ongoing. If you did see a Volkswagon Jetta (photo attached of similar vehicle) in the area of the Clay Central Park between 11am and 12pm on Friday, November 19th, you are asked to call Sheriff's investigators at 435-3081.

Click here to read a statement issued by Mercyhurst College.

Stay with Newschannel 9 and 9wsyr.com for updates.

CLAY, NY (WSYR-TV) – The Onondaga County Sheriff's Department confirms a body, believed to be that of Jenni-Lyn Watson, has been found in a heavily wooded area near the Clay Central Park off Wetzel Road around 10:30am.

Onondaga County District Attorney Bill Fitzpatrick tells NewsChannel 9 the appearance, age and race of the body found is consistent with the description of the 20-year-old who disappeared more than a week ago. The body has been removed from the scene and an autopsy will be performed later this evening or tomorrow morning to determine the cause of death.

Fitzpatrick says tire tracks were discovered in the area where the body was found and they are investigating whether those are related to the incident. He says the body was haphazardly covered in vegetation. He also says the Sheriff's Department has also recovered significant evidence in relation to this case.

The family of the college student has been notified and Fitzpatrick calls them "extraordinary people and people of faith." He says he has promised them that Jenni-Lyn's killer will be brought to justice.

Investigators say a team of eighteen law enforcement personnel began searching the marshy area, which is about 650 yards from the North Area YMCA, because it falls into the designated area that agencies have been searching for nearly a week.

The Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's office has scheduled a press conference for 5pm. We will be carrying that live on our Digital Channel 9.2, Time Warner Cable Channel 890.

Keep checking 9wsyr.com for updates.

	The Search for Jenni-Lyn: DA's Office Involved 11-26-10
	RAW Video: Jenni-Lyn Watson search update from Sheriff's Department 11-26-10
	Search for Jenni-Lyn: No Citizen Volunteers 11-26-10

Town of Clay (WSYR-TV) – One week after Jenni-Lyn Watson was last seen, the sheriff’s department says the size of search teams has tripled, and they won’t need civilian volunteers as the effort continues Saturday.

At an evening news conference, Undersheriff Warren Darby said search and rescue crews plan to be back out in the morning looking for 20-year-old Jenni-Lyn, who was last seen November 19.

Police set up road-side canvassing near the Watson family’s home on Donegal Way in Clay, the area Jenni-Lyn was last seen.  She was home from college on Thanksgiving break.

In their expanded search, crews began covering an area east of Henry Clay Blvd.  By Friday night, search crews had covered 1,200 acres.

Darby said the number search and rescue personnel has reached 150, and it's large enough that they do not need members of the community to volunteer for the search.  The department is worried citizens might disrupt the process.

But volunteers were helping in other ways on Friday.  Flyers with Jenni-Lyn’s photo and description were being handed out to Black Friday shoppers and placed on car windshields.

At this time Darby says there are no suspects or persons of interest, but his office has met with the District Attorney, preparing if it does become a criminal case.

State Police say Jenni-Lyn Watson was last seen wearing a tan sweatshirt; blue, green and white pajama pants; and white socks. She also carries a Verizon LG V3 cellphone with a blue cover.

Sheriff’s investigators are still trying to find the driver of a dark-colored pick-up truck that was seen near Donegal Way on November 19 between 7:00am and 3:00pm.

Property owners are being asked to check sheds and store garages for anything out of the ordinary.

Anyone with information about Jenni-Lyn's whereabouts should call the Sheriff's Office at (315) 435-3081.

	Watson family asks for help distributing Jenni-Lyn flyers 11-25-10
	Search for Jenni-Lyn resumes tomorrow 11-25-10
	Search for Jenni-Lyn: No Ground Search Today 11-25-10

Town of Clay (WSYR-TV) – The full-scale ground search for Jenni-Lyn Watson continues Friday, after being put on hold Thanksgiving day.

Sheriff John D'Eredita said search and rescue crews were not available on the holiday, but detectives were working, following up on leads the department received.

Kelly Kinahan, a Watson family friend and spokesperson, said 15,000 “missing” flyers have been distributed and now they need more. Businesses or individuals who are able to print flyers can drop them off at 7408 Donegal Way. ( Download a copy of the flyer)

Kinahan is also asking to people to pick up flyers at that address and hand them out to Black Friday shoppers, and place them on windshields in parking lots.

A meeting is scheduled for Friday between the sheriff’s department and Kinahan, where she says they’ll be discussing plans for volunteers to help in the search. After the meeting she expects to have details on how people can get involved.

On a Facebook page dedicated to the search for Jenni-Lyn, Kinahan posted to following message, responding to rumors about the case:
“We are requesting that all individuals STOP & REFRAIN from posting any forms of conspiracy theories, accusatory comments or any other forms of accusations on Facebook and any other forms of media platforms to which we may not be currently aware of. It is deeply upsetting The Watson Family, Close Friends of The Watson Family and us. Please respect the wishes of The Watson Family by abiding by this request. We ask that you stick to the basics by: handing out fliers, getting the word out about the disappearance of Jenni-Lyn and making people aware of what is currently going on. Thank you abiding by our request.”

State Police have released a description of the clothes Jenni-Lyn was last seen wearing. They say she was wearing a tan sweatshirt; blue, green and white pajama pants; and white socks. She also carries a Verizon LG V3 cellphone with a blue cover.

Sheriff’s investigators are still trying to find the driver of a pickup truck seen near the Watson home the day Jenni-Lyn was last seen. It’s a dark-colored pick-up truck that was reported near Donegal Way on November 19 between 7:00am and 3:00pm.

Anyone with information about Jenni-Lyn's whereabouts, or information about the pickup truck and its driver, should call the Sheriff's Office at (315) 435-3081.

Town of Clay (WSYR-TV) – There will not be a full-scale search for Jenni-Lyn Watson today. The Sheriff's Department says search teams will return to action Friday.

Sheriff John D'Eredita says search and rescue crews were not available on the holiday, but he says detectives are working, following up on leads that the department continues to receive. Meanwhile, investigators are attempting find the driver of a pickup truck seen near the Watson home the day the 20-year-old disappeared. A tip about the pickup truck was phoned in to the Sheriff's Department tip line, leading to Undersheriff Warren Darby calling it, "a vehicle of interest."

They're looking for a dark-colored pick-up truck that was reported to have been near Donegal Way on November 19 between 7:00am and 3:00pm. Onondaga County Sheriff's Detectives are hoping the driver of the vehicle could have information that could help them in their investigation.

Newly released information from the State Police also includes a description of the clothes Jenni-Lyn was last seen wearing. The outfit is described as a tan sweatshirt, blue, green and white pajama pants and white socks. She also carries a Verizon LG V3 cellphone with a blue cover.

Anyone with information about Jenni-Lyn's whereabouts, or information about the pickup truck and its driver, should call the Sheriff's Office at (315) 435-3081.

Although the information about the pickup truck is the newest development in the investigation, the search for Jenni-Lyn did continue in the Town of Clay. So far about 600 acres have been searched in an area targeted as an area of interest by Jenni-Lyn's cell phone records.

Wednesday, investigators searched along waterways, rail tracks and throughout the overgrowth for any clue about the missing woman's whereabouts. In all, 22 people searched as part of six teams made up of Wilderness Search and Rescue, Oswego County Search and Rescue, Cayuga County Search and Resuce, Massasauga Search and Rescue and Eagle Valley Search Dogs.

Oswego County Search and Rescue representative Roger Fox says they're looking for even the smallest clues. "We're looking for evidence. Things that might have been left, whether it's a footprint, wallet or a pair of glasses, something like that. We figure that if we're looking for the small things, we're more apt to see the large things - as opposed to the other way around," he said.

In addition to the search in the Clay area, Undersheriff Warren Darby reported Wednesday that detectives had visited Erie, Pennsylvania, where Jenni-Lyn was a student at Mercyhurst College. "We've been talking to anyone who knew Jenni-Lyn, including people that she dated, both here and down in Erie," he said.

Detectives also spoke with faculty and staff at the college. Those interviews, Darby says, have not yielded a person of interest but have provided a lot of useful background about the missing woman.

Additionally, Undersheriff Darby announced Wednesday evening that the Lamar Outdoor Advertising company has facilitated the spread of electronic billboards with Jenni-Lyn's photo nationwide. The image is already being shown on seven billboards in Central New York, but Darby says it may be important to extend public awareness about the search. "We don't know where she is, and it might be anywhere during this 5 day stretch that we're looking at," he said.

So far, the physical search has been performed entirely by professionals and the public have been asked not to perform a search of their own. That may change this weekend, Darby says, but for the time being the Sheriff's Department is still asking the public to refrain from searching in the same area as search and rescue teams.

The Watson family asks that those who would like to help immediately either make a donation of food to a local food pantry in Jenni-Lyn's name, or bring copies of the flyer to 7408 Donegal Way.

Search for Jenni-Lyn Watson to resume at daybreak 11-24-10
Search for Jenni-Lyn, Deputies: No Suspects
Update on search for Jenni-Lyn Watson 11-24-10
RAW Video Jenni-Lyn Watson search update 11-24-10
Search for missing Liverpool woman resumes 11-24-2010
Search for Jenni-Lyn Watson continues 11-24-10
Jenni-Lyn Watson Billboard Locations (2.1MB)

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - The search for Jenni-Lyn Watson resumed early Wednesday morning.

The 20-year-old Liverpool woman was home from Mercyhurst College in Pennsylvania visiting her family when she went missing on Friday, Nov. 19.

Personnel involved in the search expanded from 10 people to 22 people divided into six crews. In addition, two dogs are helping the effort. The search also went slightly beyond the boundaries that were established when the search began on Tuesday.

Sgt. John D'Eredita says crews hope to cover another 200 acres on Wednesday. He added that they might deploy the Sheriff's Department's Air-1 helicopter over Syracuse's northern suburbs once again.

Search teams are concentrating their efforts in areas where her cell phone records registered activity the day she went missing. Her parents say Watson was home when they left for work. When they returned, she was nowhere to be found.

On Tuesday, Oswego County Search and Rescue, Onondaga County Sheriff's Department personnel, and US Marshals targeted an area surrounding the Moyers Corners Fire Department house at the intersection of Taft Road and Henry Clay Boulevard before moving on to an area adjacent to Waterhouse Road. The Sheriff's Department's Air-1 helicopter also circled the area.

The effort to find the missing woman has expanded on the web, where more than 18,000 people had joined her Facebook group. In addition, seven billboards with Watson's picture have been placed throughout the Syracuse area and similar billboards have been placed in the Albany and Buffalo areas.

Undersheriff Warren Darby says the department is still treating the situation as a search and rescue operation, but conceded that the timeline does not favor a positive result.

"We are following every tip - people will call and say, I don't know if it means anything...It does to us. Get involved…one of our own, find Jenni-Lyn and bring her home," he said.

Darby says there is no person of interest at this time. Authorities in Pennsylvania are also on the lookout.

The missing woman's mother, Jackie Watson, told NewsChannel 9 that her family would like to thank the public for all of the offers of help and assistance. The family is asking, however, that people respect the advice of the Sheriff's Department and avoid designated search areas. They do ask that people check their personal property, including buildings, basements, or sheds. 

A prayer service will be held at St. Margaret's Church on Roxboro Road in Mattydale on Wednesday at 3 p.m.

Search for Jenni-Lyn to resume in the morning 11-23-10
Search for missing Liverpool woman suspended due to darkness 11-23-10
Update on search for Jenni-Lyn 11-23-10
RAW Video the search for Jenni-Lyn Watson 11-23-10
RAW Video: Sheriff's Department comments on the search for Jenni-Lyn Watson 11-23-2010

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - After spending most of the afternoon and evening searching a wooded area off Waterhouse Road for a 20-year-old Liverpool woman who went missing on Friday, search and rescue crews paused due to darkness on Tuesday.

A team of 10, accompanied by search dogs and the county's Air-1 helicopter, combed through 200 acres of wooded land less than a mile from the Jenni-Lyn Watson's home Tuesday.

"This is an area that has shown up on her cell phone records," explained Onondaga County Undersheriff Warren Darby. "We wanted to make sure her phone wasn't left here and if it was, we wanted to recover it because it may have some more information."

Undersheriff Darby says all signs are pointing to Jenni-Lyn still being alive, but he admits that as time flies, so do the chances of finding her. "The timeline is not in our favor. The quicker we can locate Jenni-Lyn and bring her home the better chance of bringing her home alive," he said.

Darby also said that there are other Central New York locations they will consider searching if the area off of Waterhouse Road fails to yield anything substantial.

The Sheriff's Office is asking the public to avoid visiting the area they have been searching either during or after their activities. In a written statement, Jenni-Lyn's mother Jackie Watson echoed that request: "Thank you for all of the offers of help and assistance, it is greatly appreciated. At this time, we ask that you respect the advice of the sheriff’s department and do not go near the designated search area. Professionals are covering that part of the search. However, what you can do is check any property you own, to include buildings, basements, sheds or places that you do not normally spend time in."

Family and friends says they don't want to let go of the hope for Watson's safe return. "I'm hoping that someone will see Jenni-Lyn's photo recognize seeing her in the past day or two or three because it's been four and they report it immediately to the Sheriff's Department and it will be a good lead to bring her back home," said the Watson's next-door neighbor Kelly Kinahan.

Search crews will return to the woods and air Wednesday morning to look for anything that will help bring Jenni-Lyn home.

A prayer service is planned for 3:00 p.m. Wednesday afternoon in Jenni-Lyn's honor at St. Margaret's Parish in Mattydale. Mercyhurst College, where Jenni-Lyn was a student, will also be holding a service Wednesday afternoon.

Anyone with any information about Jenni-Lyn's whereabouts is asked to call investigators at 435-3081.

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - Emergency crews and law enforcement agencies have been targeting a wooded area off Waterhouse Road bordered by Morgan Road and Henry Clay Boulevard as they continue their search for Jenni-Lyn Watson, a Liverpool woman who has been missing since Friday, Nov. 19.

According to NewsChannel 9 reporter Keith Kobland, the Onondaga County Sheriff's Department's Air-1 helicopter is flying low over the area.

The search effort is using Route 481, Buckley Road, Morgan Road, and Henry Clay Boulevard as its boundaries.

Sgt. John D'Eredita of the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office said that the search effort is utilizing Watson's cell phone records. He said her cell phone is no longer on. D'Eredita also maintained that there are no suspects in the incident, but that they are discussing the situation with family members and friends, as well as staff at Mercyhurst College.

Emergency crews and law enforcement agencies converged on Moyers Corners Fire House at the intersection of Taft Road and Henry Clay Boulevard, which is serving as a staging area in the search for 20-year-old Watson.

Watson was home from school visiting her family when she disappeared.

US Marshalls and Onondaga County Sheriff's Deputies are also involved in the search.

Lamar Outdoor Advertising is posting electronic billboards with Watson's picture at seven locations in the Syracuse area, as well as one in Buffalo and one in Albany. More than 12,000 people have joined a Facebook page dedicated to the missing woman.

Mercyhurst College has scheduled a vigil for 3 p.m. Although the school is on break, a message has been sent to remaining students to attend the vigil at Christ the King Chapel on campus.

Watson is a junior dance major at the school.

Missing Liverpool Woman 11-23-10

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - Friends of a missing 20-year-old gathered with strangers Monday night to hand out flyers with her photo as the effort to find her expanded.

Jenni-Lyn Watson was last seen by her family on Friday.

The Onondaga County Undersheriff says he's puzzled by Watson's disappearance. No one knows where she is. She came home from college on Thursday to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Investigators are examining her cell phone records but her phone is currently turned off, so it can't be used to help with the search.

Volunteers handed out flyers at Lights on the Lake on Monday night, as well as in North Syracuse. ( Download a copy of the flyer) More than 9,000 people have joined a Facebook group formed to spread information on her.

"It's completely unlike her. She's a ballerina, a wonderful student, keeps in touch with her family, loves her family. It's very out of character for her not to contact anybody," said her next door neighbor, Stacey Kinahan.

Watson is a junior dance major at Mercyhurst College. She has blonde hair and brown eyes and is 5-foot-2 and weighs about 100 pounds.

A prayer service is planned for Wednesday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Watson's honor at St. Margaret's parish in Mattydale.

Anyone who has any information on the incident should call the Sheriff's Office at 435-3081.

Flyers handed out in search for missing Liverpool woman 11-22-10

Liverpool (WSYR-TV) - A large-scale effort is underway to find Jenni-Lyn Watson, who was last seen Friday morning. Friends and family attended the opening of Lights on the Lake to hand out a flyer and further the effort to find her.

The County Sheriff's Department says it is unlike Watson to not be in touch since she came home from college on Thursday. They are looking at her cell phone records to see if they include any unusual activity. Currently, they say, Watson's phone is not turned on and can't be used in the search.

As of Monday evening, more than 3,500 people have joined a Facebook group dedicated to finding Watson.

"I hope that Jenni-Lyn is found and returned home to her family," said family neighbor and search organizer Kelly Kinahan. "She is a beautiful young talented girl, a dancer, who is going to college and came home for Thanksgiving."

"If we could just touch one person who had some idea or saw her or has a clue, it could help solve this and she could come back home," said Jennifer Cittadino, who helped hand out flyers.

John Hakes is also volunteering, because he knows how he would feel if he was in the same situation. "I just saw it on the news and I have three girls and it definitely makes you worry and think about it and I wanted to help," he said. "I've had nights where I've spent a couple hours worrying. I can't imagine three days and they've been waiting since Friday. It's upsetting and I want to help anyway I can."

Watson is described as having blonde hair and brown eyes. She's 5'2" tall and weighs about 100 pounds. Anyone with information is asked to call Onondaga County Sheriff's detectives at 435-3081.

A prayer service is planned for 3:00 Wednesday afternoon in Watson's honor at Saint Margaret's Parish in Mattydale.

If you are interested in passing out flyers email Kelly Kinahan at kelly@kinahanassociates.com.

Search for missing college student continues 11-22-10
Missing Liverpool Woman 11-21-10

LIVERPOOL, NY (WSYR-TV)- Investigators are asking for your help to find this 20 year old.

They say Jenni-Lyn Watson has blonde hair and brown eyes. She's 5'2" tall and weighs about 100 pounds.

She was last seen at her home in Liverpool in the early morning hours on Friday.

There is now a movement on Facebook to spread information about Jenni-Lyn started by her neighbor and close family friend Kelly Kinahan.

"I changed my Facebook picture from myself to Jenni-Lyn's picture with a description of her and the last time she had been seen and the sheriffs number," said Kinahan.

Soon after many of her friends did the same and there is now a Facebook page called Missing: Jenni-Lyn Watson with over 1500 members.

Kinahan used Facebook to organize people to pass out over 1,000 flyers today.

"The response was tremendous, my friends, friends of friends, Jenni-Lyn's friends, her parent's friends, indirect friends from other people on Facebook that showed up here, I didn't even know some of them," said Kinahan.

"We can't find her unless we do something," said Aubrey Ellis, Jenni-Lyn's childhood friend. "There is only so much you can do with praying and good messages, we need people to go out there and look for her while it's still fresh in people's minds and we need to get the word out there that she is missing."

If you are interested in passing out flyers email Kelly Kinahan at kelly@kinahanassociates.com.
 
Anyone with information is asked to call Onondaga County Sheriff's detectives at 435-3081.