she was staying away by choice. >> the haunting image of a bike tipped over and abandoned terrified all of the investigators and, of course, jessie's family. >> i mean, you never lose hope for them not to come in. you still hope, but we knew she wasn't just going to walk away. >> after six weeks, jessie's parents' worst fears were realized. her body, beaten and sexually violated, was discovered in a corn field. it can never be easy telling a parent their child is dead. >> no, it wasn't, but at least we were able to tell them this is her, she's gone. we were able to erase all doubts. >> gary miller had a murder case to solve and it was now a federal case involving prosecutor larry beaumont as well, since jessie's body had been found across the illinois state line. for the next year, miller did lots of leg work, but to no avail.