Years later, a father's quest for killer continues

By CHRIS PETERSON/Hungry Horse News

Mr. Binx is a witness to a horrible crime, the brutal murder of a bright, young reporter, working her way up the ranks in television news.

Her name was Jennifer Olson. She went to high school here in Columbia Falls. Was a cheerleader. Swam on the swim team. Worked at the Big Sky Waterslide. Joined the Army Reserves in 1996 to help pay for college. Graduated from high school in 1998. As a freshman at the University of Montana, she got her first television job with KPAX out of Missoula. Then went to KECI-TV in Missoula and eventually to Abilene, Texas, where she landed a job with KRBC-TV and took on her mother's maiden name, Servo.

Mr. Binx was with her in Texas. He was there the evening of Sept. 16, 2002. When an assailant bludgeoned Jennifer in the head with a blunt object, strangled her, dragged her from the living room to the bathroom. Her vagina was also bruised, evidence of a sexual assault.

Mr. Binx probably saw at least some of this. Probably most of it. He then stayed with Jennifer's body. Until co-workers, worried about the fact that she hadn't shown up for work, started making calls. The manager of the apartment complex found her body. Then police came. Leads were followed. Evidence was gathered and examined. But no one, even six years later, has been charged.

Her murder goes unsolved.

Mr. Binx now lives with Jennifer's father, Norm Olson. Back home, in Columbia Falls.

But Mr. Binx is no ordinary witness.

Mr. Binx is a cat. Jennifer's best friend. He is huge. A tabby with beautiful fur and a broken tail. When Olson brought Mr. Binx home, he went straight to Jennifer's old bedroom in the family home. He knew exactly where the litter box was, Olson said in a recent interview.

Today, he sleeps in Jennifer's old room.

"He spent two days with Jennifer's body," Olson explained in a recent interview. "He was very traumatized."

When strangers come to the house, Mr. Binx hides. But other than that he stays with Olson.

"He sticks to me like glue," Olson said.

Maybe because Olson is trying so hard to solve Jennifer's murder.

ABOUT A YEAR after Jennifer's murder he started a Web site — www.justiceforjennifer.org. It showcases stories about the crime. Her obituary. A guestbook. A way to submit tips in the case.

Jennifer's case has been featured on America's Most Wanted, in Cosmopolitan magazine, several newspapers, several television news shows and most recently, in April, a CBS 48 Hours Mystery segment.

The hope is the press will generate some leads. Get someone to talk.

Olson, however, said he knows who murdered Jennifer. He thinks it was Jennifer's former boyfriend, Ralph Sepulveda. An Army Ranger she met while in the reserves during training in Great Falls. He followed her to Texas.

Olson claims Sepulveda had the motive and the means to commit the heinous act. After Jennifer's death, he never offered condolences. Never came to the funeral, even though he's met Jennifer's mom, Sherry Abel, twice.

There was also no signs of forced entry in the crime — evidence, Olson maintains, that Jennifer knew her assailant.

The Hungry Horse News tried to reach Sepulveda by phone and e-mail for comment, but he did not respond. He is still in the Army today.

But Olson, and apparently police, have no hard evidence to link Sepulveda to the crime.

Abilene police have also frustrated Olson. He said he's learned little from them over the years. In short, Olson claims they've botched the case.

"I found information last year they should have found in a month," Olson said.

He also learned more details about Sepulveda that he hopes might someday put him in jail. Olson won't talk about them publicly, but since the airing of the 48 Hours piece, a picture of Sepulveda has come clearer into focus.

There may still be other evidence out there as well. Items from Jennifer's apartment, including several Sex and the City tapes, a cell phone and a purse were missing after the crime.

Meanwhile, Olson continues his search. He used to be a Web designer. Now he stays at home, working on the case. Hoping for a break.

"The worst time is when there's nothing going on in the case. It feels better when there's something pending. When you have a little hope," he said.