Jasmine Fiore's missing Mercedes may hold key to whether killer had accomplice, police say

Police today continued to search for murdered model Jasmine Fiore's white Mercedes sedan, saying it might hold the key to whether reality TV contestant Ryan Jenkins had help when he allegedly killed her.

Buena Park police said they are trying to determine where Fiore was killed and whether Jenkins acted alone.

“The Mercedes is still missing. It is the biggest piece of the puzzle. We hope it will contain evidence that will help us determine what happened,” said Sgt. William Kohanek. “Did someone else drive it away?"

Fiore was found dead inside a suitcase dumped in a trash bin in Buena Park Aug. 15. The day before, Fiore and Jenkins were at an upscale Del Mar hotel. Jenkins was seen checking out of the hotel -- but it's not clear where Fiore was at that point. Authorities don't know what happened to her car.

Detectives said the car might hold clues as to whether Jenkins had help disposing of her body.

"We are trying to determine if someone else helped him. That is why this case remains open,” Kohanek said.

Jenkins was found dead in a British Columbia motel room Sunday night. He apparently committed suicide and police are focusing on a woman who they said was with the former reality TV star when he checked in.

Canadian authorities on Monday described her only as a "person of interest" in the case who knew him previously.

"We're exploring those avenues and we're continuing to investigate," said Sgt. Duncan Pound, spokesman for the Federal Border Integrity Program of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. "We kept our mind open to the fact that he had roots in Canada, friends and family members in Canada."

The manager of the Thunderbird Motel said Jenkins "bore no resemblance" to the photos distributed as part of the international search aimed at capturing him.

"He did not look like the same man. He did not look like the man they were showing on TV," said Kevin Walker, who was working when the unidentified woman checked Jenkins into the remote motel Thursday evening -- a little more than two days before he was found hanged.

Jenkins, a real estate executive in Calgary who was recently a contestant on the reality TV shows "Megan Wants a Millionaire" and the third season of "I Love Money," is suspected of killing Fiore, his former wife, stuffing her in a suitcase and dumping her mutilated body in a Buena Park trash bin.

Both reality TV shows, which were set to air on VH1, have been canceled.

Police identified Fiore by a serial number on a breast implant. Her fingers had been cut off and teeth were pulled out.

Jenkins, 32, and Fiore had married in March, then had the marriage annulled but were apparently still together.

--Richard Winton

Comments

[justlooking]

If the police or others are looking for Fiore's car, it would make sense for them to give a better description than simply a white Mercedes. This is California, there's a million of them around. With a model or plate number maybe a citizen could spot it.

[Edward]

This incident has been a horrible tragedy and I feel for the families of the dead. However, I think that Jasmine was a Gold Digging woman who corrupted poor Ryan!

[John]

The condition of the body with the fingers and teeth removed would seem to indicate an organized crime killing. It would take time and resources to do that sort of thing as well as forethought.

[Danny]

@Edward: Please. Anyone who whores themselves on not one but two reality shows is already corrupted. The fact that one can actually make a semi-career out of appearing on these kind of shows is a sign of our nation's decline.

[Sylvia]

I would like to know if security tapes showed Jasmine returning to the hotel with Ryan after their spotting at the Casino on Friday evening - Perhaps she took off and met someone else who murdered her and Ryan left the next day and took his own life when he found out she was dead? I agree the car is a key factor in all this but it could already have gone to a chop shop by now - or be anywhere - and cleaned up -

[Jess]

Not trying to disrespect the deceased here BUT why do they keep referring to this guy as a reality "star"? Nobody would even know who he is(was)if he didn't commit this atrocity! Yet he's a "star"? Huh?

[Timothy]

Edward!! How could you say that about this poor woman unless you knew her! It seems like the jealous husband couldn't stand her giving other guys attention. But who knows!!! This country is soo messes up in every possible way imaginable; corrupt cops, politicians, country is broke, frivilous law suits, everybody whining about something, health care's a mess, illegal immigration.. on and on and on...

[alllll]

2007 WHITE MERCEDES BENZ CLS 550
BLACK ROOF
BODY KT
BLACK GRILL
BLACK 20in RIMS
Loud exaust
"B" emblem on the back on the car in place of the mercedes emblem
her license plate is nevada 08JF08
or Paper plates for platinum motors

[Carl LaFong]

A lot of your questions have already been answered for a while.....The picture of her white Mercedes has been plastered all over the news for 2 weeks now, even here on the LAT website. White Mercedes, black windows, black wheels, lowered, black grille
As for the idea of organized crime...not likely. The body was badly beaten and the teeth were pulled/knocked out. It was not done carefully but crudely.
The idea of her meeting someone else...also not likely. Ryan reported her missing on a Saturday then went missing himself. His abandoned SUV and empty boat trailer were found along the border and he got into a game of cat/mouse with his boat/US Coast Guard. He was able to elude them and then enter Canada.

My guess is the car is either in a garage somewhere in SoCal or burned up in the desert...

[ThisIsRidiculous]

I somewhat agree with Edward. How seriously could she have taken herself marrying the guy two days after meeting in VEGAS of all places. I'm not defending Ryan, but come on!

And Ryan, went for easy and easy is what he got - in life and in death.

Seems the only real thing on them was their hunger for filth and money.

This whole thing just makes me sick.

[James]

" However, I think that Jasmine was a Gold Digging woman who corrupted poor Ryan!" - Edward

Are you serious?!?!?

[Ernie Sandoval]

Its always a tragedy when a scumbag lowlife killer like Jenkins kills himself AFTER killing an innocent defenseless woman. Good riddance, may he burn in hell as she sings in heaven, sipping the euphoric cocktail of eternal bliss.

[sophia]

oh my gosh

[Randa]

Let me begin by saying that what has happened here is a horrific tragedy for all families and friends involved. I do believe that the incident that took place was unfortunate, yet also an incident that got out of control, fast. I do not believe Ryan to be a cold hearted murderer, but his actions did lead him to make some very bad decisions, which in the end lead to the death (murder) of Jasmine. Also, it is very, very hard to commit suicide. I believe Ryan was remorseful for what he had done. I believe the guilt of his actions lead him to committing suicide. At the end of the day, two people are dead. They each had friends and a family who loved them. Lets now try to be a little respectful for them.

[Canadian Comment]

This whole story is crazy.. meeting in Vegas, getting married after a what?? 2 day courtship? Reality shows? these people were not living in Reality. Regardless of her apparent foolishness, and poor choice in men - this young woman did not deserve to die. Life in the fast lane - and people with too much money and time on their hands, is a recipe for disaster. R.I.P. Jasmine.. Does anyone know if Dude left a note at least?

[cody mccall]

This whole episode sounds like something right out of Raymond Chandler's 'latest' novel. And I bet Polanski would have a field day with this stuff. The Coen brothers maybe? You KNOW somebody is going to do it so let's hope it's done by someone who knows what they're doing and does it right. Probably not, eh?
What I'd prefer, actually, is for everybody to say this is a sad, ugly situation so let's just leave it alone; but, given the elements--L.A., Vegas, sex, violence--I probably won't get my wish.

[Darren Meade]

Jasmine, was an amazing human-being. Much more than the beautiful image you have seen photos and video of.

She was very funny and a very nurturing person. And, the most amazing cook. As I was just learning how to walk again, after being in a coma, Jasmine drove from Las Vegas to my home in Laguna Beach, just to check on me.

As I shared, I was just starting to walk again when I met Jasmine, and one day we went to Trader Joes. She took off ahead of me, and began placing items in the basket. As she walked aisle to aisle, I watched a few men following her, trying to get a glimpse of her, at one point, Jasmine turned back around suddenly, and caught one gentlmen looking right at her, he turned red and was obviously embarrassed, Jasmine smiled, and said 'hello'.

That is the type of person she was, kind and caring. One who went out of her way, to make others feel comfortable.