Dozens of family members and friends gathered Saturday evening at Highland Bayou Park in La Marque to remember the teen. They said they wanted a place where they could all come together and reflect, so a bench was dedicated in her memory at the park.
"Since she has been missing for 15 years, we've had 15 years of not having anywhere to go," friend Alicia O'Neill said.
The morning after Jessica went missing, her father found her truck abandoned on the side of the Gulf Freeway near F.M. 519.
Family and friends have never given up hope for answers.
"Up to this point, we haven't had any solid lead that would bring us back to her," O'Neill said.
Friends tell us they wanted a place to be able to come together and visit. The bench in her honor was dedicated during Saturday evening's vigil.
"We get together and share stories all the time, but we never have a place where we can meet or even just reflect individually about her," friend Michelle Profitt said.
Jessica was one of several women who have been reported missing or found murdered in Galveston County since 1971. All of the missing persons cases reported were either young girls or women.
Profitt said coming together is healing for everyone -- even the families of the other missing girls.
"You get support from them and get a sense of understanding from other people who have been through the same thing as you," she said.
According to La Marque Police Department Detective Danielle Herman, numerous law enforcement agencies have continued throughout the years to work this case. They believe there are still several witnesses who have not come forward after all these years.
"Even 15 years later, law enforcement believes these individuals may possess key information that can help us in solving her disappearance," Herman said.
The FBI has reissued a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. If you have any information, you're urged to call police or Crime Stoppers.
