Johnetta Jackson
22 YOA
Missing from Des Moines
Found in Four Mile Creek, Pleasant Hill
Polk County
May 4, 1993
Twenty-two year-old Des Moines resident Johnetta Jackson, the mother of a small daughter, was reported missing on Tuesday, May 4, 1993.
Because Des Moines Police found blood and signs of a struggle in Johnetta’s apartment and her car had been set on fire, they suspected foul play.
The day Johnetta was reported missing, investigators attempted to question a man associated with her; however, he fatally shot himself in the head before they could learn anything.
On Sunday, May 23, Johnetta’s body was discovered in Four Mile Creek in Pleasant Hill east of Des Moines.
Polk County Medical Examiner Dr. R.C. Wooters performed the autopsy. He determined Johnetta was not strangled, shot, stabbed, or struck on the head and said the cause of death would likely never be determined.
Wooters also said the length of time the body was immersed in water made it impossible to determine if she drowned or if drugs were involved in her death.
Wooters believed, however, that Jackson’s body was placed in the creek the day she disappeared.
If you have information about the 1993 death of Johnetta Jackson, direct it to the Des Moines Police Department at 515-283-4864 or to Iowa Cold Cases through the Contact form.
Copyright 2012 Iowa Cold Cases, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
Im Dominique Moreno the son of johnetta jackson and id like to know more about this and where your getting information from.
Dominique, Please accept our condolences on the loss of your mother. Iowa Cold Cases received information about Johnetta’s case from a woman — now grown — who was friends with Johnetta’s daughter when they were 8 years old. That prompted me to do research. All I found was the article “Body of missing D.M. woman identified” in the Cedar Rapids Gazette on May 25, 1993. Would you like for me to put you in touch with the person who contacted us? Also, we believe that photos help tell the stories of our victims and to personalize them. Would it be possible for you to scan a photo of your mother and send it to us? We also welcome any other information or details you might have. All best, Nancy Bowers
Hello Nancy, I am La’Chaira Fisher, the daughter of Johnetta Jackson, and I would like more information like my brother. Is it possible for you to put us in touch with the individual who contacted you? Do you have an email address where we can send you a photo? Thanks for your help and opening this back up. Having the possibility of closure after almost 20 years is… almost unbelievable. Thank you again.