After Her Son's Murder, A Minn. Mom Is Working To Encourage Others

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- There's a Minnesota mother who knows a lot about courage after living through a mom's worst nightmare.

Now Jan Jenkins is sharing her story with others.

"My understanding of courage was forged in the trenches of a parent's worst nightmare: a missing and murdered child," she said.

Her son, Chris, disappeared a decade ago this coming Halloween night. He was last seen leaving a downtown Minneapolis bar. Four months later, his body was found.

On Monday afternoon, Jenkins spoke to a group of businesswomen. She told them that "courage lies at the heart of every human being."

Jenkins has motivated people across the world. After three decades of speeches to students and business executives, her focus has not wavered.

"I've always wanted to help people be the best they can be," Jenkins said.

Her focus carries personal meaning. She considers her darkest hours to be those clouded by the mystery that surrounded her son's disappearance.

"We all felt he was gone, but you hang on to that little thread of that lottery miracle," she said, during an interview after her son's body was found.

When speaking to groups, Jenkins shares her resilience during those days. She says she felt a level of pain she had never experienced before.

She says she tries to lift others up by "being a role model and example of courage."

She wrote a book about her experiences; it's titled "Footprints of Courage." In the book, she shares the five key ways others can stay strong. She calls them her stepping stones.

"So what I share with people is that here's a process," she said. "Here's a road map for how you can go forward, and it really is about developing courage."

It has to do with believing in yourself and staying committed to your goals despite hardships. Jenkins uses a star and its five points in her presentation.

"It's rewarding for me to watch other people gain confidence and lead the best life they can," she said.