Did This Man Kidnap Jessica Heeringa?


The disappearance of Jessica Heeringa may be one step closer to being solved, but the latest developments in this case indicate something sinister in the area surrounding Norton Shores, Michigan.

Authorities believe they have the primary suspect in the disappearance of the Michigan woman, who vanished under frightening circumstances in 2013 — just over three years ago. The arrest of 46-year-old Jeffrey Willis attracted immediate attention due to the allegations against him. The Dreamin’ Demon reports that the Michigan man is accused of trying to kidnap a teenage girl approximately three years after the suspicious disappearance of Jessica Heeringa. Now they believe the man may be a serial killer.

When the Michigan man was arrested, authorities found in his van an assortment of items that gave them probable cause to investigate him for other disappearances in the state. They found syringes that had been filled with sedative, chains, ropes, handcuffs, rubber gloves, a mask, batting gloves, ball gag, restraints, and other disturbing items. There were also photos of women bound and chained. He also had a .22-caliber handgun, which is being investigated for a possible connection to an unsolved murder from 2014.

In June 2014, a 36-year-old woman named Rebekah Bletsch was found shot dead near her home. Authorities believe that she was jogging when someone shot her multiple times in the head. Her death has remained unsolved for close to two years, and now authorities in Muskegon County, Michigan, think they have the man responsible.


When Jessica Heeringa vanished, she had been working closing shift at an Exxon Station in Norton Shores, Michigan. Her disappearance attracted immediate panic because it was instantly apparent that the 25-year-old woman had been kidnapped while she was working alone, late at night, at a well-trafficked convenience store that didn’t have security cameras. Blood belonging to the Norton Shores woman was found at the scene, which indicated that she was taken during a struggle.

If Jeffrey Willis is the man behind the disappearance of Jessica Heeringa, the unsolved shooting of Rebekah Bletsch, and the attempted kidnapping of a teenage girl, then this would indeed make him a serial predator. However, authorities haven’t confirmed any evidence to link this man to Jessica’s disappearance at this time. These new details are still developing while police investigate any possible connection to this and other disappearances and deaths.

While authorities in Michigan investigate, social media is fired up with discussion about Jessica Heeringa’s case. Many are already condemning the Michigan man who has been arrested, convinced that he is a serial killer who is behind unsolved cases in the state. Meanwhile, others are patiently awaiting evidence before they accept that a serial killer took Heeringa on that night in 2013. Media personalities are also taking to Facebook and Twitter to keep everyone updated constantly on the developments in this three-year-old case.

[Photo via Norton Shores Police handout]

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