Brittany Hendershot’s family still searching for answers

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Crystal and Lee Hendershot, parents of Brittany. (c) Mid-Hudson News

PORT JERVIS – The family of young Brittany Hendershot of Port Jervis, who sought answers as to her whereabouts throughout most of this summer, is still seeking answers about her death.

Beginning with the first days of summer, in June, through the middle of August, Brittany remained missing week after week.  On August 15 her remains were discovered in a wooded area of the Town of Wallkill.  While this brought painful answers about Brittany’s physical location, painful questions remain for her family.

Crystal and Lee Hendershot, Brittany’s parents, learned in August that their 21-year-old daughter was found dead. They continue to seek answers as to how the young mother, who gave birth to her first child on Mother’s Day this year, died – and why.  They and others close to Brittany are seeking justice that they say needs to come.

The Hendershot family has endured past family tragedies, including others recently.  They say unlike Brittany’s death, expected conclusions and past justice have been served.  

Brittany’s death certificate, received by her family days ago, lists her cause of death as “pending.”  Her date of death is listed as the day her remains were found. Brittany’s family maintains that their loved one was murdered at some point and left behind in the woods.  They say three people known to have been with her in those woods have gone on with their lives. 

“We were told toxicology reports could take up to take 12 weeks.  We understand that,” Crystal said.  “But meanwhile two homeless individuals and Brittany’s boyfriend, who were with her, are not saying what happened.  We know they know.  But they’re walking around, and being driven around by others, free to do whatever they want.” 

Brittany’s family, friends, and others who knew Brittany best say she was never known to use drugs, and in fact was always against drug use.  She was never in any trouble in school, graduating with Port Jervis Class of 2019, or in later months, until she met her boyfriend. 

Brittany was arrested with him for having taken their infant to live in the woods, something her parents say she was pressured to do. 

While her boyfriend ran from police at that time, Brittany helped them find him.  Her mother said she wanted to get away from him, but also loved him.

“When he went to jail the first time, that’s when Brittany learned that he was using drugs and that he was an addict.  She told him if he went back to drugs, she was leaving him,” Crystal said.  “He cried all the time and threatened to kill himself. He was very controlling of everything Brittany did, but Brittany felt sorry for him.  But he’s the one still walking around, not Brittany.”

Contacted this past week, State Police Public Information Officer Trooper Steven Nevel confirmed that the Hendershot case is still active and awaiting reports.  These can take up to 12 weeks to thoroughly investigate and complete.

Crystal, sadly, has waited for medical examiner reports before.  

Last year, Crystal’s oldest brother Glenn Travis, 41, and his 18-year-old son, Derek Travis, a Monticello High School student, were brutally murdered during an invasion of their Swan Lake, Sullivan County home on January 14, 2021.    

Crystal, the oldest child and only daughter of four born to her parents, grew up with three younger brothers.  Glenn was less than a year younger than Crystal.  Matthew Travis, born in July 1993, was her youngest brother, and died of leukemia at age 10. Her third and middle brother Michael, now 40, her only surviving sibling, has had a rough life and is not living in the area.

“The murders last year were not connected in any way to Brittany’s situation.  But at least arrests were quickly made and justice given for them,” Crystal said.  “This is what we need for Brittany.” 

Chasity Cutway, now 39, and David Host, now 34, were arrested the same day as the murders on January 13, 2021.  They were indicted months later, and sentenced this year — April 29, 2022 — to 25 years to life in prison.

Less than two months later, Brittany was last seen by her family, and their pain continued.

“It just brings it all back up.  It’s very hard,” Crystal said.

While this incident was very different from Brittany’s, and was witnessed by a resident who had locked herself in a back room and survived, Crystal said justice needs to come for her daughter, too.

“The last three people to see Brittany alive were two homeless people and Brittany’s boyfriend.  They were all in those woods with her,” Crystal said.  “Brittany did not use drugs.  Her only bad habit was smoking.  She had no reason to suddenly die.”

“Justice needs to be given for Brittany, and it will come one way or another.”




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