John Evander Couey was convicted on Wednesday of the murder of 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford, kidnapped from her Florida home and buried alive in trash bags in early 2005.

Monday marks 20 years since 9-year-old Jessica Lunsford disappeared. A known sex offender was found guilty of murdering her, and the case has gone on to spark major changes in legislation.

Ruth Lunsford often visits the grave of her granddaughter, Jessica, most recently to tell her that the man accused of kidnapping, raping and murdering the third-grader nearly two years ago is ...

The case puzzled investigators because the Lunsford home showed no sign of forced entry. Jessica's room showed no signs of a struggle, and a stuffed animal was the only thing missing.

Jessica was abducted in the early morning hours of Feb. 24, 2005. Police uncovered her body after Couey, 48, confessed to the killings to Citrus County detectives.

Jessica Lunsford's killer deserves the death penalty for taking the 9-year-old from her bedroom, raping her, then leaving her to die in a dirt hole in his backyard, prosecutors argued Tuesday ...

"The impacts of Jessica Lunsford's story have been huge," said Ernie Allen, president and chief executive officer of the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children in Alexandria, Va.

Jessica Lunsford was missing for more than a month before her body was found. John Evander Couey, a 47-year-old convicted sex offender, gave the confession to detectives, but also told them that he ...