Kidnapped or Murdered? The Case of Deorr Kunz Jr.
I just recently listened to the podcast True Crime Garage cover this case, and it was very well done, as are all of their episodes. There are a few other podcasts that talk about it, but I recommend listening to True Crime Garage out of all the others.
Background
Deorr Kunz, Jr. was just two years old when he went missing on July 10th, 2015. He went camping with his parents Jessica Mitchell, Deorr Kunz, Sr., (who is also called Vernal), his great-grandfather, Robert Walton, and Isaac Reinwand, who was a friend of Robert’s.
Deorr or “little man” as his parents refer to him as
DeOrr and his mom, Jessica
Jessica and Vernal
The group went camping in east Idaho when DeOrr went missing. They were supposed to go fishing that day, and DeOrr was being watched by his great- grandfather, when Robert had supposedly falling asleep, and lost track of the toddler.
Almost 5 years later, we still have more questions than answers about what happened to DeOrr, and if the parents actually involved.
Disappearance Timeline
July 10th- The group arrives at the campsite, Timber Creek Campground. It’s about 2 hours away from where they live in Idaho Falls.
At 2:28pm- Jessica Mitchell calls 911. It’s reported that Vernal, travels in his truck to look for service to also call 911.
The campground is immediately searched.
July 11th- The campground is being searched. There are people searching the water, on ATVs, on horseback and by foot. Since DeOrr was 2 years old, they focus on the creek, which is about 15 yards from the campsite.
July 12th- There were around 200 volunteers that showed up to search for Deorr. The police say that trained professionals will take over the search.
July 13th- Jessica Mitchell and Vernal are interviewed. They said they think Deorr was kidnapped, and beg for whoever took him to send him okay.
They also have a candlelight vigil.
July 14 and 15th- Jessica and Vernal stay near the campsite. The investigators don’t find anything.
July 16th- A representative from the National Center for Missing or Exploited Kids arrives.
The case become a media sensation on the Nancy Grace Show.
July 18th- Vernal stays camped at the area. It’s his birthday.
July 19th- No evidence is found after 10 days of baby DeOrr’s disappearance.
Theories
The main theory put out to the world by DeOrr’s parents is that DeOrr was abducted. There was no evidence of that.
Another theory is that DeOrr was attacked by a wild animal. Again, there was no evidence of this. There was no clothing or blood found anywhere near the campsite.
The last theory is that DeOrr was never at the campsite to begin with. There have been many stories told by Jessica that she talked to a few people when she and DeOrr went into town to get some things the day they arrived, and nobody ever said they saw DeOrr with Jessica.
There was a woman who came forward who said she saw a little blonde boy with a “dirty looking man” in a black truck that was crying until the man offered him candy. Vernal said that he had a black truck, and that he never offered his son candy. My question is why did he think the woman was referring to him????
1 Year Later
Jessica Mitchell told the police that DeOrr was wearing a camo jacket and cowboy boots when he went missing. In their only interview, they also had a few of DeOrr’s toys that they said “he never was seen without them.”
Investigators said that the jacket he was supposedly wearing when he went missing, and some other toys, were found at the parent’s apartment. The parents were evicted from their home after not paying rent.
Accusations
Jessica Mitchell and Vernal Kunz have split up, and apparently Jessica claims she said in a video that:
“I believe DeOrr’s father could have hurt him,” “He’s living his life like it’s nothing and I’m falling apart every day.”
Vernal fired back:
“I would never harm my child,” “Nothing about my life is normal anymore. Not a single minute goes by that I don’t try to figure out what happened to my son, and I’ll never ever stop looking for him.””
Jessica and Vernal have never been named as suspects in this case.
Other
Jessica has since remarried. Jessica and Vernal are still the only suspects, and everyone has looked into the case has said that it appears that Deorr is dead, and there’s no other evidence to show otherwise.
Robert Walton, DeOrr’s great-grandfather died from cancer.
FINAL THOUGHTS
DeOrr’s case on People Magazine
I’m just going to put this out there, I think the parents did it. I at least think that one of the did it, anyways. I don’t think DeOrr was ever at the campsite, I feel like if they killed him there, there would be evidence. I am obviously just guessing, but I think the parents got tired of having a 2 year old, and killed him at their home. Why else would that jacket be there? They either killed him at home, or know where he is buried.
I think if it was one parent that did it, it would be Vernal. He seemed to very controlling, especially if you watch the video of their first interview. He takes over the whole interview, and when Jessica tries to talk, he cuts her off. They also lack emotion, they didn't cry once in that video or seemed like they gave one shit about DeOrr. I don’t want to blame them, especially if they do end up being innocent, but they are sketchy to me.
This case also got to me because my husband and I are trying to have children, and personally, sometimes I get so angry when the wrong people are parents and it’s harder for some people to have kids. That was some personal information, but that’s just how I feel.
#JUSTICEFORDEORR
Sources
https://www.eastidahonews.com/2015/07/deorr-kunz-disappearance-a-timeline-of-events/
https://www.yourtango.com/2019324272/what-happened-deorr-kunz-jr-missing-idaho-toddler
https://idahonews.com/news/local/investigators-find-missing-jacket-toys-at-deorr-kunzs-old-apartment
