IA JODI SUE HUISENTRUIT: Missing from Mason City, IA - 27 June 1995 - Age 27

The Doe Network:
Case File 1326DFIA

Jodi Sue Huisentruit
Missing since June 27, 1995 from Mason City, Cerro Gordo County, Iowa.
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

Date Of Birth: June 5, 1968
Age at Time of Disappearance: 27 years old
Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'3"-5'4"; 110-120 lbs.
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Blonde hair; brown eyes.
Dentals: Available
DNA: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance
Jodi Huisentruit, an anchor at KIMT television station in Mason City, Iowa, disappeared from outside her apartment as she left for work
at approximately 4:00 on June 27, 1995. Initially a missing person case, Huisentruit's disappearance was soon classified an abduction. When investigators arrived at her apartment complex they found her red Miata convertible in the parking lot. A pair of red women's dress shoes, a blow dryer, bottle of hair spray, car keys and earrings were scattered beside the car. The key was found bent and out of the door lock. Witnesses indicate that they heard screams at 4 o'clock that morning. Investigators are looking for a white mid 1980s Ford Econoline van. Foul play is suspected.

Huisentruit grew up in Long Prairie, Minnesota, where she was active in sports, excelling in golf. She earned her bachelors degree in 1990 from St. Cloud State University with a double major in TV Broadcasting and Speech Communication. Huisentruit worked for Northwest Airlines immediately after graduation, followed by a broadcasting position at KGAN-TV Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She then returned to Minnesota for a position at KSAX-TV in Alexandria, before joining KIMT-TV in Mason City.

The Jodi's Hope Fund has been established to help youngsters in Long Prairie, Minnesota — where Jodi Huisentruit grew up — develop their writing and speaking skills. To learn more about the fund and how to contribute, go to www.jodishopefund.com.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

Mason City Police Department
641-421-3636
Iowa Missing Persons Clearinghouse
1-800-346-5507
Email

NCIC Number: M-844559811
Please refer to this number when contacting any agency with information regarding this case.

Source Information:
Iowa Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Namus
Find Jodi
Cerro Gordo County Sheriff's Office
Unsolved Mysteries

Doe Network: International Center For Missing and Unidentified Persons

Doe Network is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to bringing awareness to missing persons and unidentified persons throughout the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Australia.

www.doenetwork.org

edited by staff to add media link

JODI SUE HUISENTRUIT: Missing from Mason City, IA since 27 Jun 1995 - Age 27

Jodi Huisentruit, an anchor at KIMT television station in Mason City, Iowa, disappeared from outside her apartment as she left for work at approximately 4:00 on June 27, 1995. Initially a missing person case, Huisentruit's disappearance was soon...

www.crimewatchers.net

 

[Kimster]

Dang, I didn't pay attention to the state where they are searching! That's crazy!

 

[Guess Who]

OOOOOOOOOOOOOHhhhhhhhhhhhhhh. Oops.

Your question is what got me to wondering how far apart they were though. 3ish hours!

 

[Kimster]

Your question is what got me to wondering how far apart they were though. 3ish hours!

Thanks for looking that up! I was going to and didn't get around to it. My mind is wandering as to the different scenarios that might have happened. I wish I could remember the names of the men who have been suspects in the past. I watched a documentary on this case a LONG time ago and seems like three men were in question.

 

[Kimster]

Thanks for looking that up! I was going to and didn't get around to it. My mind is wandering as to the different scenarios that might have happened. I wish I could remember the names of the men who have been suspects in the past. I watched a documentary on this case a LONG time ago and seems like three men were in question.

Here's some info:

https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/jodi-huisentruit-suspect-list-four-people-private-investigator/

 

[Guess Who]

Thanks for looking that up! I was going to and didn't get around to it. My mind is wandering as to the different scenarios that might have happened. I wish I could remember the names of the men who have been suspects in the past. I watched a documentary on this case a LONG time ago and seems like three men were in question.

I was hoping somebody knew their names so we could see if we could tell if any of them might have had connections there.

 

[Guess Who]

Here's some info:

https://www.newsnationnow.com/missing/jodi-huisentruit-suspect-list-four-people-private-investigator/

Hmmmmm....

Huisentruit had begun dating an out-of-state man in the days leading up to her disappearance.

 

[Kimster]

Hmmmmm....

Huisentruit had begun dating an out-of-state man in the days leading up to her disappearance.

Good catch!

 

[Kimster]

But wait, there's more!

Iowa TV news anchor had ‘secret fling’ before vanishing in 1995: investigator

An Iowa television news anchor had a “secret final fling” with a mystery man just 10 days before going missing nearly three decades ago, according to a private investigator.

nypost.com

 

[GrandmaBear]

If there are any good reporters they are searching property records on who owned that home... Of course the person didn't have to own it to have dumped a body there BUT they obviously think it is connected to someone...

 

[SheWhoMustNotBeNamed]

Iowa cold case: Reward in Jodi Huisentruit case doubled to $100,000

Investigator Steve Ridge has raised the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the discovery of Jodi Huisentruit's remains, with the offer valid until June 2026.

www.kcci.com

Iowa cold case: Reward in Jodi Huisentruit case doubled to $100,000​

Iowa-licensed private investigator Steve Ridge has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the location and positive identification of the remains of former KIMT-TV morning television anchor Jodi Huisentruit.

The offer is valid through June 27, 2026, which is the 31st anniversary of her disappearance.

"The great success we’ve had with this level of reward in the case of eight-year-old Cherrie Mahan in Butler, Pennsylvania, has encouraged us to try again in Iowa," Ridge said.

Since Ridge joined the 40-year-old abduction case in Pennsylvania in March, he has surfaced a key witness who he says "will likely lead to an eventual arrest and conviction" in that case.

Ridge said he will no longer be making his findings public in the Huisentruit case.

"Now the goal is arming authorities with the evidence and testimony needed for indictments," Ridge asserted.

Ridge has also withdrawn his appeal to the state Supreme Court to unseal a search warrant of vehicles owned by self-proclaimed leading suspect John Vansice.

"I’m confident that I know virtually everything that was included in the underlying affidavit to secure that search warrant," Ridge added. "At this point we need to trust the system to work on behalf of justice for Jodi."

Ridge has recommended that a special grand jury be impaneled to hear testimony of more than a dozen witnesses. Ridge plans to update for authorities.

 

[Mel70]

Iowa cold case: Reward in Jodi Huisentruit case doubled to $100,000

Investigator Steve Ridge has raised the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the discovery of Jodi Huisentruit's remains, with the offer valid until June 2026.

www.kcci.com

Iowa cold case: Reward in Jodi Huisentruit case doubled to $100,000​

Iowa-licensed private investigator Steve Ridge has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to the location and positive identification of the remains of former KIMT-TV morning television anchor Jodi Huisentruit.

The offer is valid through June 27, 2026, which is the 31st anniversary of her disappearance.

"The great success we’ve had with this level of reward in the case of eight-year-old Cherrie Mahan in Butler, Pennsylvania, has encouraged us to try again in Iowa," Ridge said.

Since Ridge joined the 40-year-old abduction case in Pennsylvania in March, he has surfaced a key witness who he says "will likely lead to an eventual arrest and conviction" in that case.

Ridge said he will no longer be making his findings public in the Huisentruit case.

"Now the goal is arming authorities with the evidence and testimony needed for indictments," Ridge asserted.

Ridge has also withdrawn his appeal to the state Supreme Court to unseal a search warrant of vehicles owned by self-proclaimed leading suspect John Vansice.

"I’m confident that I know virtually everything that was included in the underlying affidavit to secure that search warrant," Ridge added. "At this point we need to trust the system to work on behalf of justice for Jodi."

Ridge has recommended that a special grand jury be impaneled to hear testimony of more than a dozen witnesses. Ridge plans to update for authorities.

Doesn't seem they found any evidence at Vanice's property. He had since 1995 to get rid of any.

 

[Regina]

The way this crime occurred reminds me of Holly Bobo's case, I mean, that she was abducted from where she parked where she lived and when she was about to leave.

 

[Mel70]

The way this crime occurred reminds me of Holly Bobo's case, I mean, that she was abducted from where she parked where she lived and when she was about to leave.

I do think it is the deceased man that knew her.

 

[Regina]

I do think it is the deceased man that knew her.

It strikes me as a stalker scenario, I mean, like in Holly's case, this occurred when she'd be expected to leave.
It comes across to me as someone who may have known her only well enough to know where she lived and her daily routine.

 

[Mel70]

It strikes me as a stalker scenario, I mean, like in Holly's case, this occurred when she'd be expected to leave.
It comes across to me as someone who may have known her only well enough to know where she lived and her daily routine.

He was the prime suspect. I completely agree. It's about 2 hrs 45 minutes from Winstead, MN to Mason City, Iowa. But if he was obsessed, and IDK his work situation. There's a reason he was a prime suspect. I remember they suspected someone else, but was cleared. I don't remember the specifics. There were even flyers hung up here. I remember. I also remember she went missing right after my 25th birthday. It's hard to believe it's been that long. Her poor family.

 

[Regina]

He was the prime suspect. I completely agree.

Well, I don't know the evidence against him but it seems that in general, when there's force involved and the scene is a parking lot, it's more likely to be "a stranger".

 

[Mel70]

Well, I don't know the evidence against him but it seems that in general, when there's force involved and the scene is a parking lot, it's more likely to be "a stranger".

They searched his property much later. Found no evidence. But he had plenty of time to get rid of any. I'm certainly not discounting a stranger becoming obsessed with her. Stalking her. And, then committing the crime. I don't know why they suspected the man. I haven't looked into it. He is deceased. He died at age 76.

 

[GrandmaBear]

The way this crime occurred reminds me of Holly Bobo's case, I mean, that she was abducted from where she parked where she lived and when she was about to leave.

Which to me implies a stalker, or someone that knew their schedules in another way, i.e., a coworker, friend, etc. Or a simple opportunist who lucked out (right time and place) which I think is less likely.

 

[GrandmaBear]

It strikes me as a stalker scenario, I mean, like in Holly's case, this occurred when she'd be expected to leave.
It comes across to me as someone who may have known her only well enough to know where she lived and her daily routine.

Well someone they know and have spent any amount of time with I'd classify as more than a stalker although someone known to them could still be stalking them if you get me. I mean even ex husbands have stalked. I think in Jodi's case it was more of someone she knew, someone obsessed with her but known to her. Of course also she was a public figure unlike Holly so many people knew what time she was on the air at least which would give anyone an approximate window of time that she'd be leaving for work and on which days.

 

[GrandmaBear]

Well, I don't know the evidence against him but it seems that in general, when there's force involved and the scene is a parking lot, it's more likely to be "a stranger".

I tend not to think so in this case. And she was running late for work for some reason... Of course since no one has ever been arrested, none of us can say for certainty who killed her.

I think it was someone closer than a total stranger.