John Couey: The Jessica Lunsford Murder Case

On February 24, 2005 Jessica Lunsford went missing from her home sometime during the night or early morning hours. Over the next few weeks, neighbors were questioned about the incident and John Couey, who was a registered sex offender, became a prime suspect. On March 18 2005, when brought in for questioning in regards to the kidnapping, Couey confessed to kidnapping and sexually assaulting the nine year old child over a weekend, then burying her alive in his front yard. Because Couey asked for an attorney before questioning began and did not receive one, his confession could not be used in court. (John Couey, http://murderpedia.org/male.C/c/couey-john-evander.htm)

Briefing:

Currently at the crime scene is Detective Benson, Detective Stabler, Detective Tutuola, Officer Adams, the forensic team, and Captain Cragen. Captain Cragen is leading the briefing.

We are here to investigate the case of Jessica Lunsford who is believed to have been kidnapped and possibly murdered by John Couey. We are at the resident of John Couey and a body has been found. It is located under the front porch stairway, where Couey stated he buried the body. Other than uncovering the burial site, the area has not been disturbed. We do not currently know the cause of death or if the victim is Jessica Lunsford. We are here to collect evidence of foul play

Since the crime scene is located in a shady location under the porch stairway, certain measures must be taken to achieve adequate photographs. Timed Exposure Photography will be the best option for this scene. All angles around the burial site will be photographed, as well as the victim located within the burial site. An all-inclusive photo will be taken showing the burial location in relation to the home. From there, more photographs will be taken in closer increments until we have photographed all of the more minute details of the burial site and the