05.A.Descent.Into.Hell.2008 (26 page)

Jennifer and Lauren, here in their uniforms, were cheerleaders through elementary and middle school, into high school, jumping in the air, shouting out cheers, and urging the Bishop, Texas, teams to victory.
Courtesy of the Cave family

Jim, surrounded by his girls (left to right, rear row): Hailey, Jim, Sharon, Vanessa; (front row): Jennifer, Whitney, Lauren.
Courtesy of the Cave family

Lauren, Jennifer, Sharon, and Vanessa at Jennifer’s high school graduation. By then, Jennifer was already changing, coming out of her shell. Her glasses and braces were gone, and she was turning into a beautiful young woman.
Courtesy of the Cave family

As Jennifer came of age, she and Vanessa (left), looked more alike. Both turned heads when they entered a room.
Courtesy of the Cave family

Nora Sullivan and Colton Pitonyak lived just six doors apart at the Orange Tree condominiums.
Courtesy of Nora Sullivan

Colton Pitonyak arrived at UT a scholarship student, but gradually refashioned himself into a drug-dealing thug.
Austin PD photo

Christmas 2004 brought an end to what was known in the Cave family as “Jennifer’s dark year.” That day a miracle of sorts happened—snow—in South Texas, a rarity. (Back row, left to right): Jim, Myrtle, Sharon, Whitney, Clayton; (front, left to right): Hailey, Lauren, Vanessa, Jennifer.
Courtesy of the Cave family

Living with Scott, Jennifer felt more at ease, happier than her friends had ever seen her. Yet dark fears still haunted her, and she grabbed life with both hands, fearing she had little time to enjoy it.
Courtesy of K. Reine

Scott Engle fell in love with Jennifer, and for a little while, his love changed her life.
Photo Kathryn Casey

A precocious, waifish little girl, Madyson called Jennifer “Mom.”
Photo Kathryn Casey

Katrina deVilleneuve was a topless dancer with a heart of gold who grew frightened when Jennifer told her of Colton Pitonyak’s threats.
Photo Kathryn Casey

Denise Winterbottom befriended Jennifer, inviting her to move into her apartment when she needed a place to stay.
Photo Kathryn Casey