Killer on Campus: The Murder of Jesse Valencia

When a popular, openly gay University of Missouri student is murdered on campus, police interview his friends and lovers as well as looking at the murder as a possible hate crime. The entire time the detectives are digging into Jesse’s personal life, the actual killer is hiding in plain sight, much closer to the investigation than anyone expected.

Sources:

• Davidson, Linda. The Cop With A Secret. 2026.
• Arnold, Chelsea. “Steven Rios Seeks New Trial for 2004 Murder of MU Student | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 9 Apr. 2011, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/steven-rios-seeks-new-trial-for-2004-murder-of-mu-student/article_1cea6d2d-1eec-5f83-9883-ab198ab52d81.html.
• Dateline NBC. 1992.
• Dowling, Paul. Forensic Files. 1996.
• “22-MO v. Rios: Leah Wooden & Zev Feintuch | Court TV Video.” Court TV, https://www.facebook.com/courttv, https://www.courttv.com/title/22-mo-v-rios-leah-wooden-zev-feintuch/. Accessed 1 June 2026.
• “DNA Evidence | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 July 2008, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/dna-evidence/article_885b03b7-aa42-5a23-974b-17b03f1ca91a.html.
• Dungey, Michaela Marshall. “Mother of Jesse Valencia Wants Dead Son’s Belongings Returned | Local | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 2 July 2015, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/local/mother-of-jesse-valencia-wants-dead-sons-belongings-returned/article_1d283d6a-20d4-11e5-8c19-57f72dce51f7.html.
• McCarthy, Danielle. “SPECIAL REPORT Part Two: Ex-Wife, Former In Laws Stand by Convicted Murderer | News | Komu.Com.” KOMU 8, https://www.facebook.com/komu8, 15 Feb. 2013, https://www.komu.com/news/special-report-part-two-ex-wife-former-in-laws-stand-by-convicted-murderer/article_9e622a7e-62a0-58cb-b411-67522475499d.html.
• McCarthy, Danny Spewak and Danielle. “SPECIAL REPORT: Steven Rios Former Family Members Break Silence | News | Komu.Com.” KOMU 8, https://www.facebook.com/komu8, 14 Feb. 2013, https://www.komu.com/news/special-report-steven-rios-former-family-members-break-silence/article_703f2750-f63f-5a03-9ba0-a9b3bd0e223d.html.
• Sederstrom, Jill. “Missouri Cop Steven Rios Killed Jesse Valencia After Affair.” Oxygen, Oxygen, 25 July 2024, https://www.oxygen.com/dateline-secrets-uncovered/crime-news/missouri-cop-steven-rios-killed-jesse-valencia-after-affair.
• Whitehurst, Tram. “Clinch Tells Jury Why He Killed Former Brother-in-Law | News | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 Oct. 2009, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/clinch-tells-jury-why-he-killed-former-brother-in-law/article_88d3bdd5-255d-51f4-9539-638688e011c1.html.
• “Clinch Tells Jury Why He Killed Former Brother-in-Law | News | Columbiamissourian.Com.” Columbia Missourian, https://www.facebook.com/ColumbiaMissourian/, 21 Oct. 2009, https://www.columbiamissourian.com/news/clinch-tells-jury-why-he-killed-former-brother-in-law/article_88d3bdd5-255d-51f4-9539-638688e011c1.html.
• Find A Grave, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/73822382/jesse_james_wade-valencia. Accessed 1 June 2026.
• Columbia Missourian, 7 June 2004.
• Columbia Daily Tribune, https://www.columbiatribune.com/story/news/crime/2011/03/17/former-in-laws-stand-by/21458357007/. Accessed 1 June 2026.

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