LINCOLN, Neb. — A 42-year-old Lincoln woman reported missing Thursday morning was located safely Thursday night after a coordinated search by Lincoln Police and partner agencies. Her 36-year-old ex-boyfriend, Christopher Collins, is in custody facing multiple serious charges.
The search began around 8 a.m. Thursday when Jesserae Beck’s family reported they could not reach her and she missed a 9:30 a.m. appointment with the Lincoln Police Department (LPD). Investigators focused on Collins, who has a documented history of domestic violence, and traced Beck to his residence near 95th and Eagleton Lane in northeast Lincoln.
Due to the circumstances, the Nebraska State Patrol issued a statewide Endangered/Missing Person Advisory on Thursday, alerting the public and law enforcement agencies across Nebraska to assist in locating Beck and ensuring her safety.
Late Thursday evening, a SWAT team executed a search warrant at a northwest Lincoln home in the 200 block of Santa Fe, with assistance from the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office and Nebraska State Patrol. Officers discovered a strong odor of natural gas, prompting evacuations of nearby homes until Lincoln Fire and Rescue secured the area.
Inside the home, authorities found Beck and Collins in a bedroom. Beck was safely evacuated and taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Collins resisted arrest during a brief struggle, was hospitalized for taser deployment and a head injury, and was subsequently booked into the Lancaster County Jail.
Collins faces charges of domestic assault, kidnapping, false imprisonment, terroristic threats, use of a deadly weapon to commit a felony, and violation of a protection order.
According to court records, Beck and Collins ended their relationship in July. In August, Beck obtained a protection order after alleging Collins had assaulted and strangled her, causing serious injuries including a brain bleed and broken ribs. Collins was arrested, charged with assault by strangulation, and released on bond in early September. Just one day before Thursday’s search, Beck requested to dismiss the protection order, citing shared financial responsibilities and her pregnancy.
During a Friday morning press conference, Assistant Chief Jason Stille praised Beck’s resilience. “She was a warrior. And she turned seconds into minutes and stretched minutes into hours to allow us to find her,” he said. Police Chief Michon Morrow highlighted the teamwork of LPD officers, Nebraska State Patrol, and the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office.
Lt. Michelle Jochum, head of the LPD Special Victims Unit, emphasized the complex nature of domestic violence. “Victims are never to blame for the actions of their abusers. Decisions made by survivors are often shaped by fear, hope, and difficult circumstances,” she said. Authorities continue to investigate the case and encourage anyone with information to contact the Lincoln Police Department.