Jessica Heeringa

Status:

Open

Jurisdiction:

Norton Shores Police Department (MI)

Missing From:

Norton Shores, Michigan

Summary:

Jessica Heeringa was a 25-year-old mother who disappeared on April 26, 2013, while working a late-night shift at an Exxon gas station in Norton Shores, Michigan. In 2018, Jeffrey Willis was convicted of her kidnapping and murder, though her body has never been found. He is serving a life sentence.

Vital Statistics

Circumstances of Disappearance:

On the evening of April 26, 2013, Jessica Heeringa was working alone at the Exxon Mobil gas station at 1196 E. Sternberg Road in Norton Shores, Michigan. Her last cash register transaction occurred at 10:51 p.m. She disappeared sometime between 10:51 and 11:07 p.m., shortly before closing time. At 11:07 p.m., a customer discovered the store abandoned and called 911. When police arrived at 11:25 p.m., they found her car parked outside, and inside the store they found her purse with $420 in cash, her cigarettes, lighter, cellphone, and keys—all left behind, ruling out robbery as a motive. DNA testing confirmed a small amount of blood found outside the gas station belonged to Heeringa. Eyewitnesses reported seeing a silver minivan parked behind the station and driving away at high speed around the time of her disappearance. Security cameras from nearby businesses captured a silver Chrysler Town & Country minivan traveling away from the scene at approximately 11:02-11:05 p.m. Investigators determined that Heeringa was lured outside by someone she likely knew, as indicated by the lack of signs of struggle and the absence of robbery.

Additional Details:

The disappearance of Jessica Heeringa became a high-profile case involving a 75-member task force and thousands of investigative hours. In April 2016, Jeffrey Willis was arrested for attempting to abduct 16-year-old Madison Nygard. After Willis's arrest, investigators connected him to Heeringa's disappearance and to the June 2014 murder of Rebekah Bletsch. Willis had been a frequent customer at Heeringa's gas station, matched a police artist's sketch of a man seen with her on the night of her disappearance, and owned a silver 2006 Dodge Grand Caravan minivan matching witness descriptions. Police discovered pictures of Heeringa in a folder labeled 'vics' on his computer, along with images of Rebekah Bletsch. In Willis's van, investigators found a pistol, ammunition, syringes with liquid, ball gags, chains, masks, and restraints. Evidence also included firearm components near the gas station matching a laser sight from a Walther P22 handgun found in Willis's possession. On May 16, 2018, after jury deliberation of approximately 1.5 to 2 hours, Willis was convicted of first-degree murder and kidnapping in Heeringa's death despite the absence of her body. He was sentenced to life in prison without parole on June 18, 2018. Willis is serving a second life sentence for the Bletsch murder. In December 2019, his conviction was upheld on appeal. The case led to legislative action: in December 2013, the Jessica Heeringa Act was introduced by Michigan Representatives Marcia Hovey Wright and Collene Lamonte, requiring gas stations and convenience stores open between 11 p.m. and 5 a.m. to either install security cameras or maintain two employees on duty. The bill never made it out of committee due to opposition from industry groups. Heeringa's mother, Shelly Heeringa, maintains the 'Help Find Jessica Heeringa' Facebook page. The family has expressed skepticism about Willis's conviction, with Heeringa's sister stating her belief that Jessica is still alive. Lead detective Lt. Michael Kasher believes her body is buried in the Manistee National Forest near the Lake-Mason county line, northwest of Baldwin, approximately 90 minutes from Norton Shores, based on cell phone tower data showing Willis traveling north on US-31 and east on M-46 at 1:10 a.m. on April 28, 2013, two days after the disappearance.

Case Last Updated:

Aug 08, 2026