Missing Model's Body Found, Man Sought

Fairfax District (myFOXla.com) - This story about Jasmine Fiore's murder has been updated with a new version. Click here for the latest information on this story.

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Authorities are searching for a Canadian man, Ryan Alexander Jenkins, for questioning in the death of a 28-year-old former swimsuit model Jasmine Fiore, whose body was found stuffed in a suitcase in a Buena Park dumpster over the weekend.

Ryan Alexander Jenkins, 32, a former reality show contestant, is a "person of interest" in the case and "could be anywhere he chooses to be," said Buena Park police Sgt. Eileen Jones.

A publicist for Jenkins told TMZ.com late Tuesday that "Ryan is currently speaking to his attorney and will fully cooperate with the police in this matter. He is planning on meeting with them in the near future."

Buena Park police declined to confirm or deny the TMZ report.

Jenkins was dating or recently married to Jasmine Fiore, who police said was last seen about 8:30 p.m. Friday at her home in the 800 block of Edinburgh Avenue, near Melrose Avenue.

Jenkins reported Fiore missing Saturday evening, Buena Park police Lt. Gary Worrall said Tuesday after the body in the suitcase was identified.

"It's suspicious that after he reported her missing he is nowhere to be found," Worrall told reporters.

Buena Park police said Jenkins may be heading for Canada. He was believed to be traveling in Fiore's car, a white 2007 Mercedes CL S550 with black rims and tinted windows.

Investigators said the car's paper license plate, which read "Platinum Motors," may have been replaced by Canadian license plate HLY275 from Jenkins' black BMW X5 sports utility vehicle, said Buena Park police Sgt. Mike Lovchik.

Fiore's body was found about 7 a.m. Saturday inside a Dumpster in the 7400 block of Franklin Street in Buena Park. The body was found by a man rifling through the trash for recyclable bottles and cans.

Worrall said Fiore had been strangled.

Jenkins and Fiore may have gone to a poker party in San Diego Friday night, according to published and broadcast reports.

TMZ reported that Jenkins was a contestant on the VH1 reality show "Megan Wants a Millionaire," a dating show in which men compete for the affections of a woman looking to become a "trophy wife" for a well-to-do suitor.

The show's star, Megan Hauserman, told TMZ that the pair met in a Las Vegas strip club where Fiore was a dancer, and that they were married two days later.

Buena Park police said Tuesday they were still trying to determine the relationship between Jenkins and Fiore. Fiore's mother, Lisa Lepore, said she does not believe a legitimate marriage took place.

"I just arrived in L.A.," Lepore, who lives in Maui and was in Santa Cruz on Tuesday, told City News Service early today. "I haven't been watching the news. I just can't handle it. Buena Park police called and told me they identified my daughter's body. I'm just distraught."

Lepore said she plans to meet with investigators today.

Jenkins' profile on the "Megan Wants a Millionaire" Web site states Jenkins is a Calgary investment banker who "claims he has left many amazing women in his life primarily because he wanted more women." He also claims that he molds "player girls" into "princesses."

Fiore was from the Las Vegas area and had recently moved to Los Angeles, police said.

Lepore said her daughter was well known in some circles because she appeared as a model in advertising for radio personality Howard Stern and Las Vegas hotels. She also said her daughter has worked for Playboy as a representative and coordinator for "Girls of Golf."

Fiore was in Los Angeles to start a personal training business, Lepore said, adding that her daughter recently changed her last name to Kinkaid.


See also:

DA: Slain Model IDed by Breast Implants (8/21/2009)

$25K Reward for Ryan Jenkins' Arrest (8/21/2009)

Cops Give Graphic Details on Fiore Case (8/20/2009)

Ryan Jenkins Set Off by Text Message? (8/20/2009)

Ryan Jenkins Charged in Model's Murder (8/20/2009)

Police Seek Dead Model's Ex-Husband (8/19/2009)

Fiore's Marriage to Jenkins Had Been Annulled (8/19/2009)

TMZ: Ryan Jenkins 'Done' With Jasmine (8/19/2009)

Missing Model's Body Found, Suspect Sought (8/18/2009)

Body Found Inside Suitcase in Dumpster (8/15/2009)