PRODUCER AND ACTIVIST FOLKLAUR CHEVRIER COLLABORATES WITH JESSOP FAMILY ON DOCUMENTARY IN DEVELOPMENT

 

October 20, 2020 – Not long after the 36th year anniversary of Christine Jessop’s brutal death, and an endless search for justice, a killer was finally named. Toronto Police Chief James Ramer identified Calvin Hoover as Jessop’s murderer, using Forensic Genetic Genealogy announced on October 15. The case of nine-year-old Christine Jessop who mysteriously vanished after school in her hometown has become known as the preeminent murder investigation for judicial change in Canada. The tragedy not only horrified the nation but resulted in an extraordinary wrongful conviction and devastation for the family, in the wake of Christine’s untimely death.

 

For years, the Jessop’s kept silent as rumours circulated about the identity of Christine’s real killer, and harmful fabricated stories were told about their family. Now, they are ready to exclusively share their compelling, intimate perspective, having lived through the harrowing ordeal.

 

Producer and Activist Folklaur Chevrier has received the Jessop family’s consent to tell their story, having acquired the exclusive Life Rights through her production company, Folklaur Films. A decade ago, inspired by the surge of press marking the 25th anniversary of Christine’s murder, Chevrier, introduced herself to the Jessop family and became a confidante.

 

“Folklaur is a very driven, compassionate person who deeply cares about our family and this case, victims and children’s rights everywhere,” said Kenneth Jessop.

 

What drew Chevrier to the case was the pain and trauma of the family circumstances, plethora of questions and astonishingly few facts. In true ‘citizen detective’ nature, now synonymous with the True Crime genre, Chevrier has spent much of the past decade doing her own investigative work with the aim of helping advance the feature film. With countless hours of interviews already conducted with the Jessop family and detectives working the case, Chevrier believes the full story needs to come to light.

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“Over a decade ago, I approached Janet and Kenneth (Christine’s mother and brother),” Chevrier says. “I am honored they entrusted me with their story and bravely agreed to the idea of a film. I will boldly and fearlessly document what has been their horrific experience spanning over 36 years and now, with the stunning identity of the killer revealed. I hope the conclusion from this cold case will provide hope to families, because it is never too late for justice.”

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As an advocate for The Canadian Centre for Child Protection, Chevrier believes it is her responsibility to tell the horrid truth that surrounds child abduction, and to unearth the riveting untold story that has made Janet & Kenneth Jessop's life a living hell. In 2019, there were 40,425 reports of missing children in Canada. Every 40 seconds in the United States, a child goes missing or is abducted.

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About Folklaur Films: Folklaur Films, founded by Folklaur Chevrier in 2018, is a Toronto-based production company that focuses on creating impactful content with a particular emphasis in films that reflect the diversity of the human spirit. There remains a vested interest in the nexus where cinema and socially conscious stories contend. Chevrier is an actor, producer, acclaimed public speaker, and advocate for Children, through her work St. Felix Centre and The Canadian Centre for Child Protection Inc.