Remains of missing East Islip woman found in Florida

Jenna Jacobsen had been missing for five weeks and was found dead in Lantana, Florida.

News 12 Staff

Jun 3, 2019, 2:13 PM

Updated 1,802 days ago

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The remains of a 20-year-old woman from East Islip were found in Florida.
Jenna Jacobsen had been missing for five weeks and was found dead in Lantana, Florida. Police believe she was slain.
Jean, the victim's aunt, says there's little that can comfort her family now. She called Jacobsen an "artistic, very sweet girl" who wanted to be a veterinarian.
Jacobsen graduated from East Islip High School in 2017. A month ago, she checked herself into a drug rehabilitation facility in New Jersey. But Jean says without her family knowing, Jacobsen checked herself out and traveled to the Lake Worth area with another patient to go to a Florida rehab center. Jean says she has since learned that Jacobsen was lured there by someone who was getting paid by that Florida rehab center to "recruit" new patients.
Jacobsen was last seen outside of a convenience store in the Lake Worth area. Her aunt speculates that she was abducted from there.
At the Family and Children's Association in Mineola, drug treatment expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds says patient brokers have become pervasive, intentionally preying on people in rehab.
Jean says that despite her pain, she spoke with News 12 Monday to warn other people about the patient brokers.
Reynolds says there's little state certification needed to open a treatment center in Florida, compared to New York.
Police in Florida continue to investigate Jacobsen's death.
 
Extended interview with drug treatment expert Dr. Jeffrey Reynolds
 
 


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