Case Notes #005: The Search for Jastine Valdez

About this episode

Retired Detective Superintendent Frank Keenaghan discusses the abduction and murder case of Jastine Valdez, detailing the investigation and emotional impact of the case.

In this episode of Lines of Enquiry: Case Notes, retired Detective Superintendent Frank Keenaghan takes us inside one of the most shocking cases in recent Irish history, the abduction and murder of 24 year old student Jastine Valdez. Frank led the frantic 24 hour search in May 2018, from the first early morning briefing to the moment a member of the public spotted the suspect’s car, and the dramatic scene where Mark Hennessy was shot by gardaí. Frank explains the race against time in a live abduction, the critical decision to release the suspect car’s registration to the public, and how small details, including a blood soaked note and a single guard’s instinct on a Wicklow hillside, ultimately led to finding Jastine’s body. Drawing on 40 years in An Garda Síochána, he reflects on the emotional toll of cases like this, the importance of public cooperation, and why gut instinct still matters alongside procedure and forensics. 

People in this episode

Guest: Frank Keenaghan

Topics covered

• abduction
• murder
• investigation
• public cooperation
• emotional toll
• Irish history

Keywords

• Jastine Valdez
• Frank Keenaghan
• Mark Hennessy
• abduction
• murder
• Irish history
• investigation
• public cooperation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: An Garda Síochána

Places: Wicklow

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