Developments in the disappearance of Jennifer Hillier-Penney - The Fifth Estate

When Jennifer Hillier-Penney disappeared in 2016, friends and family had serious questions about the police investigation — and they shared suspicions about who might have been involved with The Fifth Estate. Her husband is now charged with first-degree murder in her death.

#Crime #Investigation

Connect with The Fifth Estate online:

About The Fifth Estate: For more than four decades, The Fifth Estate has been Canada's premier investigative documentary program. Hosts Bob McKeown, Mark Kelley and Steven D'Souza continue a tradition of provocative and fearless journalism. The Fifth Estate brings in-depth investigations that matter to Canadians — delivering a dazzling parade of political leaders, controversial characters and ordinary people whose lives were touched by triumph or tragedy.

The Fifth Estate airs Fridays at 9pm on CBC-TV and steams on CBC GEM.

FINDING JENNIFER

producer/director
LISA MAYOR

written by
MARK KELLEY

editor
LORETTA HICKS

principal cinematography
JOHN BADCOCK csc

additional cinematography
KEITH WHELAN

intern
MARIE-HÉLÈNE HÉTU

graphic designer
TIM KINDRACHUK

archival material
CP IMAGES
POND 5

graphic director
JEFF GOLDHAR

art director
DAVID MORGAN

senior producer, creative strategy
CELINA FISCHER

visual research
LESLIE MORRISON

rights coordinator
HELENA RAPOSO

media management
MATT GUERIN

post audio engineers
RON SEARLES
MIKE WILSON

colourist
PETER JORGENSEN

interactive producer
STUART DUNCAN

unit managers
JANET BRIDEL
JAY THARAYIL

project manager
SHARON MUSSON

theme music
STEVE D’ANGELO

associate director
MARY-ANN VENDITTI

packaging editor
NANCY DIMENNA

resource coordinator
VICTOR KERR

coordinating producer
LINDA SIBONY

senior producer
RAJ AHLUWALIA

executive producer
JIM WILLIAMSON

original broadcast
OCTOBER 14, 2018

[royalmichaels]

There is no doubt in my mind that the Fifth Estate had a direct impact on both finding the person responsible for Jennifer's disappearance and holding him accountable.

Mark is fantastic! The way he tells the story of the victim, the personal and compassionate way he helps us know Jennifer by speaking to her lover ones, the research put in to understand the setting and most importantly the way he can convince a suspect to talk just to go right in to the hard questions.

The second interview with Dean told everything! Dean. kicked back, cocky, arrogant until Mark directly asks if he did ir. Clearly he didn't think anyone 2oupe have the balls to ask him that. His body language was extremely telling.

Her daughters broke my heart. Your mama is looking down on you always, just reach out to her and she will be there. She would be very proud of her beautiful girls!

Seven long years, far too long... Well done Fifth Estate!

[ivydickson]

Coercive control. Most dangerous time for a woman to leave a partner. He will never give up the body. Ultimate control.

[cleopatraoatcake]

The Fifth Estate, doing the RCMP's job ! So sad for her daughters, family, and friends.

[steveh]

Her daughters and their bravery says a lot about who she was.

[Puzzle_Dust]

You mean to tell me the rcmp didn’t do their job!?!? SHOCKER!

[catherinecole]

Seven long years to get justice in this case. And with so much time having gone by, physical evidence has been compromised, memories fading, and a story in a remote part of Canada that many people have never heard if. By now, we've learned that the most vulnerable women and children are those who live in rural areas, with few resources to fall back on to in the community. She was blessed with having friends and family who really cared about her, but even then, it took the wheels of justice forever to roll to a conclusion. She was a brave lady, to stand up for herself. She was determined to make a new life for herself on her own terms. Sadly, this opportunity was taken away from her!

[lordwalker]

Who fills their bathtub then suddenly decides to leave town 🙄🤦‍♂️

[LaughingblueSu]

AND THE COPS SAID SHE LEFT ON HER OWN???
without a car, phone or purse?
Yeah, happens all the time! 😡😡😡

[LovelyLass-nbop]

Of course it's the husband. He will have dumped her body at sea. No surprise the inept RCMP again being exposed

[forrestnelson]

so many red flags that the family saw yet the RCMP seemed not to think viable. So tired of hearing this story, it happens over and over and it seems that those in power positions learn nothing. My heart goes out to this family.

[bethewalt]

If her husband did it and the husband is a fisherman, her body got dumped in the ocean, sadly she's long gone, could it be any more obvious?

[lifefordummies]

The sad thing is, if convicted, he will probably have to serve very little time. Remember the guy up in Airport Heights in St Johns who went out in his truck to run his wife over, then made a second pass and ran her over again to make sure he had the job done? he got charged with man slaughter, sentenced to 7 years i think? and only had to serve half of it? I don't call that justice.

[projectkj]

The way he gave his “alibi” was so telling. Disgusting monster.

[kimberleyporter]

Mark Kelly. Thank you for your reporting. We appreciate you. Thank you.

[Isabella-nhdm]

He 'wanted Jennifer. He didn't want Jennifer he just didn't want Jennifer to be in control or be with someone else. Everyone knew it was the husband, but knowing and proving are two very different things. So sad for her and her family. Trying to escape domestic violence in smaller communities is very difficult. You have limited resources available near to hand. Everyone knows everyone and everything that is happening in the community but no one wants to get involved.

[CrankyBubushka]

I am so very sorry for this family and the kids. There were so many warning signs of the danger she was in.

[jeanettecoleman-mzie]

He wasn't going to let her go, so he's kept her where only he knows, monster.

[whererosemaryflourishes]

Sadly, a woman going missing still isn't taken seriously enough by law enforcement throughout the world.

[stephanieholmes]

Oh my sweet daughter, your mom is sooo proud of you for being her voice and sooo, soooo strong for her!!!
Sending you ((hugs))

[jenniferbailey]

Please remember if you intend to leave an abuser make an exit strategy and keep it on the down low. Your life depends on it!