Kidnapped by a Killer: Is Jenna Cormack Based on a Real Detective?

Lifetime’s ‘Kidnapped by a Killer: The Heather Robinson Story’ is based on the true story of Heather Robinson, whose mother, Lisa Stasi, was murdered. The man responsible, John Robinson, later gave Heather to his own relatives to adopt, and it was something Heather would only discover at the age of 16. One of the central figures in the film, Detective Jenna Cormack, is shown as being deeply committed to uncovering the truth behind Lisa’s disappearance and murder. The character is brought to life by the very talented Deja Dee, who brings forth the desperation and the hard work that the police put into bringing the killer to justice.

Jenna Cormack’s Character Represents the Efforts of the Many Real-Life Officers

In the film, Detective Jenna Cormack is portrayed as a persistent and intuitive investigator who never lets go of the mystery surrounding Lisa Stasi’s disappearance. From the start, she is deeply skeptical of the circumstances and pays close attention to details, especially the letter allegedly written by Lisa. When Lisa’s family insists that the letter doesn’t match her writing style or personality, Jenna takes their concerns seriously. She follows every lead from January 1985 onward, determined to uncover the truth. It’s not until 2000 that suspicions arise around a man named John Robinson, and Jenna begins to believe she may have finally found the person responsible. She becomes part of the law enforcement team executing a search warrant on Robinson’s property, where the discovery of Lisa’s remains ultimately confirms her long-held suspicions.

The real-life events played out somewhat differently than depicted in the film. While a search warrant was indeed executed on the real Robinson’s property in Kansas in June 2000, Lisa’s remains were never recovered and remain missing to this day. Nevertheless, Robinson was charged with her murder based on circumstantial evidence and later convicted in 2002. However, in 2015, his conviction for Lisa’s murder was overturned on appeal due to legal technicalities. Despite this reversal, he remains on death row as he was conclusively linked to several other murders in both Kansas and Missouri.

As for Detective Jenna Cormack, no real-life officer by that name was involved in any of the investigations surrounding Robinson. The character appears to be fictional, though likely inspired by the many law enforcement officials who worked on the case over the years. Rather than being purely a product of imagination, Cormack seems to serve as a composite figure, representing the persistence and dedication of the real investigators who pursued justice in Lisa’s case.

Many Police Officers Worked Relentlessly to Bring John Robinson to Justice

Police had long been suspicious of John Robinson, as his name repeatedly surfaced during investigations into the disappearances of several women in the area. Their concerns deepened in early 2000 when a woman came forward accusing him of sexual assault and theft. Acting on this, authorities obtained a search warrant for his property. During the search, the remains of two women were discovered, leading to Robinson’s arrest in June 2000. Rick Roth, an investigator from Lenexa, Kansas, played a key role in the case, and he was present during the search and helped execute the warrant in Robinson’s garage, where the remains of three additional women were found.

Another crucial figure was Steve Haymes, a former district supervisor for the Missouri Board of Probation and Parole. He had been monitoring Robinson as early as 1985, initially due to Robinson’s involvement in embezzlement and fraud cases. Haymes was well aware of his criminal background and manipulative tendencies. What made Robinson particularly concerned was his proximity to Lisa Stasi around the time of her disappearance, but there was no evidence. Despite the limitations, officers like Haymes never let Robinson slip entirely off their radar. It was the relentless efforts of investigators across state lines who paid attention to patterns, kept files open, and followed even the thinnest of leads that eventually led to his arrest.