Body of Missing Teen Found 20 Days After Route 15 Crash in Wallingford
WALLINGFORD, CT — The body of 17-year-old Khasir Jennette was discovered on February 21, over three weeks after a crash on Route 15 led to a multi-agency search for the missing teen.
Authorities reported the body was found near the Quinnipiac River close to the Wallingford Compost Center. Jennette was last seen on February 1, the night of the crash at approximately 9:45 p.m., which involved three vehicles, including a stolen black Acura RDX. State Police said occupants from the Acura fled on foot after the collision.
The Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner confirmed Jennette died from hypothermia due to environmental exposure.
Family members alerted State Police early on February 2 that they believed Jennette was lost in the woods, prompting the issuance of a Silver Alert. Witnesses reported seeing a person resembling Jennette entering an Uber after the crash, but detectives could not confirm all passengers linked to the incident.
Multiple agencies, including K9 units and local fire personnel, conducted extensive searches of the area, covering wooded locations and riverbanks. Despite the efforts, Jennette was not located until a resident found him while walking their dog.
At a Friday news conference, the Connecticut NAACP announced an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Jennette's death, citing a lack of public communication regarding the case. “When our children are in crisis, we cannot simply accept silence,” said Corrie Betts, president of the Greater Hartford branch.
State Police have stated that no press release was issued upon Jennette's body discovery, adhering to protocol for unattended deaths and juvenile cases.
The investigation remains ongoing.