The Jolene Cummings Murder: Florida Hairstylist's Disappearance on Mother's Day — True Crime Documentary
The disappearance of Jolene Cummings, a 34-year-old mother of three and beloved hair stylist at Tangles salon in Yulee, Florida, sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community. Known for her dedication to her children and loyal clientele, Jolene failed to pick up her children on Mother's Day 2025, which also happened to be her birthday—a deeply concerning development for those who knew her devotion to her family.
The investigation quickly intensified as Nassau County Sheriff's detectives explored multiple angles. Jolene was last seen leaving work around 5 p.m. on Saturday, and both her ex-husband, with whom she was going through a divorce and custody battle, and her boyfriend, who had been involved in a recent domestic incident with her, became persons of interest. The discovery of her abandoned vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot days later, captured on surveillance footage being parked by a figure dressed in black clothing, marked a significant turning point in the case.
Key Takeaways
Jolene Cummings vanished after leaving her workplace at Tangles hair salon, failing to pick up her children on Mother's Day.
Both her ex-husband and boyfriend were initially investigated as persons of interest due to their complicated relationships with Jolene.
Surveillance footage showing her abandoned vehicle being parked by someone in dark clothing provided a critical lead in the investigation.
The Mysterious Disappearance of Jolene Cummings
On Saturday, May 12, 2025, 34-year-old Jolene Cummings vanished after finishing her shift at Tangles hair salon in Yulee, Florida. The beloved stylist and mother of three failed to pick up her children on Mother's Day, which immediately raised concerns among family members. Her absence was especially troubling as the day also marked her birthday—a special occasion she would never miss celebrating with her children.
Jolene was a dedicated stylist with many loyal clients who appreciated her kind and loving nature. Her children were the center of her world, making her disappearance all the more alarming. When she didn't call her mother or post on social media—behaviors completely out of character—her mother contacted the Nassau County Sheriff's Office.
Detective Wayne Harrington began investigating the case, quickly learning that Jolene was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband. She was also involved with a new boyfriend, with whom she'd recently experienced a domestic incident. Both men were initially considered persons of interest in her disappearance.
Key Persons of Interest:
Ex-husband (Jason Cummings) - Going through divorce proceedings with Jolene
Boyfriend (Jason G) - Had recent domestic incident with Jolene
Jolene's ex-husband cooperated fully with authorities, voluntarily appearing at the Sheriff's Office for questioning. He allowed investigators to search his phone and vehicle, and provided an alibi that was later verified, clearing him of involvement.
The investigation then focused on Jolene's boyfriend, who was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant. During questioning, authorities noticed suspicious scratches on his wrists, which he claimed came from playing with his dog. His inability to account for his whereabouts during the critical timeframe and the mysterious loss of his phone raised additional concerns.
Despite these suspicious circumstances, investigators still lacked concrete evidence of foul play. The first significant break came when Jolene's 2006 Ford Expedition was discovered in a Home Depot parking lot in Yulee. Surveillance footage showed the vehicle being parked there around 9:17 a.m., with a figure dressed entirely in black exiting the vehicle.
The video captured this individual walking toward a nearby convenience store, where they asked to use the phone to call a taxi. This discovery shifted the investigation significantly, suggesting possible foul play in Jolene's disappearance.
Timeline of Events
Final Appearance at Hair Studio
Jolene Cummings, a 34-year-old mother of three, was last seen at Tangles Hair Salon in Yulee, Florida, on Saturday around 5:00 p.m. As a stylist at the salon, she had developed strong relationships with many loyal clients over the years. Her colleagues described her as kind, loving, and devoted to her children, who were "her heart."
Saturday represented her busiest workday, concluding what should have been the beginning of a special weekend. The upcoming Sunday would mark both Mother's Day and Jolene's birthday, making it a particularly significant occasion. She was scheduled to pick up her three children from her ex-husband that Sunday.
When Jolene failed to appear for the planned custody exchange, family members became immediately concerned. This behavior starkly contradicted her character, as she would "never ever miss picking up those children."
Investigation Begins
The day after Mother's Day, Jolene's mother contacted the Nassau County Sheriff's Office to report her daughter missing. Detective Wayne Harrington took charge of the case. Authorities quickly identified that Jolene was going through a divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband, and had recently experienced a domestic incident with her boyfriend.
Both men initially fell under scrutiny. Jolene's ex-husband Jason Cummings cooperated fully with investigators by:
Voluntarily appearing at the Sheriff's Office
Allowing searches of his phone and vehicle
Providing a verifiable alibi
Investigators shifted focus to Jolene's boyfriend, Jason G., who was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant. During questioning, detectives noted unexplained scratches on his wrists, which he attributed to playing with his dog. His interview raised concerns as he:
Could not account for his whereabouts during the critical timeframe
Claimed to have lost his phone
Provided explanations investigators found inconsistent
The case took a significant turn when Jolene's beige 2006 Ford Expedition was discovered in a Home Depot parking lot in Yulee. Surveillance footage showed the vehicle being parked there around 1:17 a.m., with a figure dressed entirely in black exiting the vehicle. This person later approached a nearby convenience store and requested to use a phone to call a taxi.
The discovery of the abandoned vehicle without any sign of Jolene led investigators to shift their approach, now considering the possibility of foul play in her disappearance.
Key Suspects Examined
Former Spouse's Whereabouts Confirmed
Jason Cummings, Jolene's ex-husband with whom she was going through divorce and custody proceedings, initially came under close scrutiny by investigators. When questioned at the Nassau County Sheriff's Office, he cooperated fully with Detective Wayne Harrington's investigation. He voluntarily appeared for questioning when contacted about Jolene's disappearance.
During his interview, Jason suggested Jolene might have gone on "a bender" with what he described as the "wrong crowd." He expressed concerns about her new boyfriend, referring to him as a "junkie." Despite being considered a person of interest, Jason demonstrated complete cooperation with authorities.
Investigators thoroughly vetted Jason's account of his whereabouts during the relevant timeframe. He permitted authorities to search both his vehicle and cell phone, providing a detailed timeline of his activities over the weekend of Jolene's disappearance. After thorough verification of his alibi, detectives concluded he had no involvement in Jolene's disappearance.
Boyfriend's Questioning and Inconsistent Story
Investigators shifted their focus to Jolene's boyfriend, Jason G, particularly after learning about:
An outstanding warrant for his arrest
A recent domestic incident with Jolene
Unexplained scratches on his wrists
When questioned about the scratches visible on his body, Jason G claimed they resulted from playing with his dog. Authorities had previously received reports of a confrontation at Jolene's residence days before her disappearance, raising additional concerns.
The interrogation revealed troubling inconsistencies in Jason G's account. He claimed to have lost his phone and could not accurately recall his whereabouts during the critical 48-hour period surrounding Jolene's disappearance. When pressed by investigators about these discrepancies, he became defensive.
"Your story is making no sense," investigators told him during questioning. "This is your opportunity here to clear your name." Though he agreed to take a polygraph test and maintained his innocence stating, "I didn't do nothing with her," his inability to provide a coherent timeline or explanation for his missing phone intensified suspicions.
A Sudden Turn of Events
Kimberly Kessler's Numerous Identities
Investigators discovered that Kimberly Kessler had created an elaborate web of false identities, operating under 14 different aliases throughout her life. Her method was particularly disturbing—she would gather these fake names from cemetery headstones and obituaries, systematically assuming the identities of the deceased. This pattern of deception extended beyond mere identity theft. Evidence later revealed that Kessler possessed disturbing capabilities, including knowledge of how to use common household items like electric carving knives to dispose of evidence quickly and efficiently. When authorities attempted to verify her residence, they found she had provided a completely fictitious address, further complicating the investigation.
For Jolene Cummings, discovering someone's false identity clearly represented a significant danger. The investigation revealed that Jolene had likely begun questioning Kessler's background and true identity. As one investigator noted, "Fake to Jolene meant that you're not who you say you are"—and her determination to uncover the truth about this person may have ultimately led to her disappearance.
Clues Lead to Tangles Hair Salon
The investigation focused on Tangles hair salon in Yulee, Florida, where Jolene had last been seen alive. A 34-year-old mother of three, Jolene was a beloved stylist at the salon with a loyal clientele who adored her. Security footage from that Saturday showed Jolene was scheduled to finish work at approximately 5:00 PM. This timing became a crucial element in establishing the timeline of events.
The case took a significant turn when investigators located Jolene's abandoned Ford Expedition in a Home Depot parking lot. As one distraught family member exclaimed upon hearing the news, "There's a vehicle but there's no Jolene! My God, where is my daughter?" Surveillance footage provided crucial evidence:
Video showed the vehicle being parked at approximately 1:17 AM
A figure dressed entirely in black clothing exited the vehicle
This individual walked toward a nearby convenience store
The person asked to use the store clerk's phone to call a taxi
This discovery shifted the investigation's focus dramatically. What initially appeared to be a missing person case now showed strong indicators of foul play. The mysterious figure in black clothing became a central element of the investigation, though initially, law enforcement could only determine it was a woman—they did not yet know her identity.
The Investigation Intensifies
Exploring Personal Connections
The search for Jolene Cummings, the 34-year-old mother of three who disappeared after leaving Tangles hair salon, prompted investigators to closely examine her personal relationships. As a dedicated stylist with loyal clients, Jolene's sudden disappearance on the Saturday before Mother's Day raised immediate concerns. Her absence was particularly alarming as she failed to pick up her children on what would have been a special day—both Mother's Day and her birthday.
Detective Wayne Harrington of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office identified two key individuals for initial scrutiny. Jolene was in the midst of a divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband Jason Cummings, while also maintaining a relationship with a new boyfriend, Jason G. The ex-husband cooperated fully with the investigation, voluntarily appearing at the Sheriff's Office and consenting to searches of his phone and vehicle. His alibi checked out, eliminating him as a suspect.
The boyfriend's situation proved more complicated. Jason G had an outstanding warrant and showed suspicious physical marks during questioning. When interviewed, he displayed scratches on his wrists which he attributed to playing with his dog. His inability to recall his whereabouts during the critical timeframe and his claim of losing his phone raised red flags for investigators.
Scrutiny of Evidence and Suspect Behaviors
The discovery of Jolene's abandoned 2006 Ford Expedition in a Home Depot parking lot marked a significant breakthrough in the case. Surveillance footage revealed the vehicle being parked around 7:17 a.m., with a figure dressed entirely in black exiting the vehicle. This unidentified individual was later seen walking toward a nearby convenience store, where they requested to use a phone to call a taxi.
Timeline of Key Events:
Saturday, 5 PM: Jolene last seen leaving Tangles hair salon
Mother's Day: Failed to pick up her children or contact family
Day after Mother's Day: Reported missing by her mother
Day after public alert: Vehicle found abandoned in Home Depot parking lot
The boyfriend's interview behavior heightened suspicions. When confronted about inconsistencies in his story, he responded defensively: "I need to get a lawyer to help me out." Investigators directly challenged him: "This is your opportunity to clear your name, and you're acting like a jackass." Despite the confrontational interview, without physical evidence or Jolene's whereabouts determined, investigators faced limitations in how to proceed.
The discovery of the vehicle with no sign of Jolene transformed what began as a missing person case into a potential crime investigation. As one family member emotionally expressed upon seeing the empty vehicle: "There's a vehicle but there's no Jolene. My God, where is my daughter?"
Discovery of Jolene's Vehicle
The search for Jolene Cummings took a significant turn when her vehicle was located in a Home Depot parking lot in Yulee, Florida. A local resident contacted authorities after recognizing the beige 2006 Ford Expedition with Florida tag 035 KBQ that had been featured in police bulletins.
Upon finding the vehicle, Jolene's mother expressed immediate concern, reportedly saying, "There's a vehicle but there's no Jolene. My God, where is my daughter?" This discovery prompted investigators to treat the case with heightened suspicion.
Surveillance footage from the area provided crucial evidence. The video showed the Ford Expedition being parked at approximately 1:17 a.m. Following this, a figure dressed entirely in dark clothing could be seen walking from the vehicle toward a nearby convenience store.
The surveillance recording revealed that this individual, later determined to be a woman, approached a store clerk and requested to use the phone to call a taxi. Law enforcement initially couldn't identify this person, but the discovery of the abandoned vehicle combined with this footage suggested potential foul play.
Before locating the vehicle, authorities had been investigating multiple angles, including Jolene's relationship with her ex-husband (with whom she was going through a divorce and custody battle) and her boyfriend (with whom she had recently experienced a domestic incident). The discovery of her empty vehicle shifted the investigation's direction dramatically.
This evidence represented a turning point in the case. As Detective Wayne Harrington from the Nassau County Sheriff's Office noted, they began seriously considering that they might be "working with foul play involved with this missing person."
Video Evidence Unravels the Mystery
The discovery of Jolene Cummings' beige 2006 Ford Expedition marked a critical turning point in the investigation. A concerned citizen spotted the vehicle in a Home Depot parking lot in Julie, Florida, promptly alerting authorities. This sighting generated mixed emotions for Jolene's family. "There's a vehicle but there's no Jolene. My God, where is my daughter?" her mother exclaimed upon hearing the news.
Surveillance footage revealed crucial details about the vehicle's abandonment. The car had been parked at approximately 5:17 a.m., and cameras captured a figure dressed entirely in dark clothing walking away from the scene toward a nearby convenience store. This mysterious individual, later determined to be female, entered the store and asked to use the phone to call a taxi.
Law enforcement's focus shifted dramatically with this discovery. What began as a missing person case now indicated potential foul play. The 34-year-old mother of three had last been seen leaving Tangles hair salon around 5:00 p.m. on Saturday, where she worked as a beloved stylist with many loyal clients.
The timing raised immediate concerns. Jolene was known to prioritize her children above all else, making her absence on Mother's Day—which doubled as her birthday—particularly alarming. "Jolene would never ever miss picking up those children," noted one person close to the investigation.
Investigators initially examined the two men in Jolene's life. Her ex-husband Jason Cummings was cooperative, voluntarily appearing for questioning and allowing searches of his phone and vehicle. His alibi checked out, eliminating him as a suspect. Jolene's boyfriend, Jason G, proved more problematic with unexplained scratches on his wrists, an outstanding warrant, and inconsistent stories about his whereabouts.
Nassau County Sheriff's detective Wayne Harrington noted the complexity of the situation. Personal circumstances complicated the investigation, as Jolene was amid divorce proceedings and a custody battle with her ex-husband. A recent domestic incident with her boyfriend had also been reported.
The surveillance footage from Home Depot became the investigation's cornerstone. Each frame offered new evidence that would prove vital in understanding what happened to the missing mother of three.
Incident Analysis and Community Impact
The mysterious disappearance of Jolene Cummings, a 34-year-old mother of three, sent shockwaves through the small town of Julie, Florida. Jolene, a beloved hair stylist at Tangles salon, vanished after work on Saturday, failing to pick up her children on Mother's Day—which was also her birthday.
Surveillance footage revealed crucial evidence in the case. A figure dressed entirely in black clothing was captured parking Jolene's beige 2006 Ford Expedition in a Home Depot parking lot around 5:17 a.m. This individual later approached a nearby convenience store and requested to use a phone to call a taxi.
Detective Wayne Harrington of the Nassau County Sheriff's Office immediately identified persons of interest in the case. Jolene was going through a divorce and custody battle with her ex-husband, while also having recently experienced a domestic incident with her boyfriend. Both men were initially scrutinized.
Jolene's ex-husband cooperated fully with investigators. He voluntarily appeared for questioning, permitted searches of his phone and vehicle, and provided an alibi that was subsequently verified. Investigators ultimately determined he had no connection to Jolene's disappearance.
The investigation then intensified around Jolene's boyfriend, Jason G, who was arrested on an unrelated outstanding warrant. During questioning, he displayed suspicious behavior:
Physical evidence: Unexplained scratches on his wrists
Inconsistent statements: Unable to account for his whereabouts
Missing evidence: Claimed to have lost his phone
Defensive behavior: Eventually requested a lawyer
Despite these red flags, investigators initially lacked concrete evidence of foul play. The discovery of Jolene's abandoned vehicle, however, shifted the investigation dramatically. Law enforcement began treating the case as potential foul play rather than a routine missing person case.
The community rallied around the search efforts. Local news stations broadcast updates, and flyers circulated showing Jolene's image and vehicle information. Her clients and colleagues described her as kind-hearted, loving, and completely devoted to her children—making her disappearance even more alarming to those who knew her.
The Arrest and Legal Proceedings
The investigation intensified after Jolene Cummings' vehicle was discovered in a Home Depot parking lot. Surveillance footage captured a figure dressed entirely in black parking the car around 1:17 a.m. This individual later entered a nearby convenience store and requested to use the phone to call a taxi.
Authorities initially considered both Jolene's ex-husband and boyfriend as persons of interest. The ex-husband, Jason Cummings, cooperated fully with investigators. He voluntarily appeared at the Sheriff's Office, permitted searches of his phone and vehicle, and provided an alibi that police later verified, clearing him of involvement.
Jolene's boyfriend, Jason G, became a focal point of the investigation. Police discovered he had an outstanding warrant and promptly arrested him. During questioning, Detective Harrington noticed suspicious scratches on G's wrists, which G attributed to playing with his dog.
Key Evidence Against the Boyfriend:
Unexplained scratches on his body
Report of a recent domestic incident with Jolene
Inability to account for his whereabouts during critical days
Missing phone he couldn't explain
Inconsistent statements during questioning
When confronted about inconsistencies in his story, G's demeanor became defensive. "If you could be sitting in our seats and listen to this interview... your story is making no sense," investigators told him. G eventually requested legal representation when pressed further.
Nassau County Sheriff's Detective Wayne Harrington noted that the discovery of Jolene's abandoned vehicle marked a significant shift in the case. "We started looking at this as possibly foul play involved with this missing person," he explained, as evidence began mounting.
The investigation would later reveal shocking information about a suspect using multiple aliases. This individual reportedly obtained false identities from cemeteries and obituaries, having used as many as 14 different names to conceal their true identity.
