Jodi Sue Huisentruit

Missing Person: Homicide Suspected
Jodi Sue Huisentruit
27 YOA
Mason City, IA (Cerro Gordo County)
Case # 9508176
June 27, 1995

Case summary by Jody Ewing

At approximately 4:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27, 1995, CBS affiliate KIMT-TV morning and noon anchor woman and producer Jodi Sue Huisentruit was abducted from the parking lot of her apartment located at 600 North Kentucky Avenue in Mason City, Iowa.

Huisentruit usually arrived at work between 3 and 4 a.m., and when she hadn't arrived by 4:00 a.m. her co-producer called her. Huisentruit answered the phone, told her co-producer she had overslept, and stated she'd be at the station shortly. Nothing in Huisentruit's tone of voice indicated any undue stress.

The 27-year-old petite anchor was never heard from again.

When Huisentruit still hadn't arrived at work by 7:00 a.m., her co-anchor became alarmed and called Mason City police, asking them to check on Jodi's well being. Upon their arrival, officers discovered a number of Huisentruit's personal possessions strewn about the parking lot, including Jodi's hair spray, hair dryer, her key ring and a pair of red high-heeled shoes. Huisentruit usually carried these items to and from work in a canvas tote bag.

Mason City police and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation subsequently found blood on the right rear-view mirror of Huisentruit's 1995 red Mazda Miata sports car. The mirror had also been knocked ajar. Blood also was found in the parking lot near the passenger's side door. DNA testing indicated the blood matched that of Ms. Huisentruit. Scuff marks found in the parking lot — apparently made by Huisentruit's shoes — led away from her vehicle. Interviews with neighbors revealed that screams had been heard.

Crime scene evidence suggested Huisentruit was attacked from behind while unlocking her vehicle's passenger-side door, that she screamed, was struck in the head with a heavy object and then dragged to the perpetrator's awaiting vehicle.

Jodi's canvas tote bag — in which she often carried her notebooks and computer diskettes — was not found at the scene and has never been located.

In the 15 years since her disappearance, investigators have followed up on thousands of tips and interviewed more than 1,000 people.

While the Mason City community continues to mark her disappearance every year, police await the one solid tip they need to bring to an end the city's most infamous cold case.

Though Huisentruit was declared legally dead in 2001, her case remains an open investigation.

If you think you have information that could help solve this case please click here to send your information to the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.

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A website covering Jodi's case has been established at www.findjodi.com.


Other Sources and References:

Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Iowa Department of Public Safety Missing Persons Clearinghouse
Crime and Justice: Jodi Huisentruit
They’re trying to be strong, Huisentruit family fights uncertainty, Mason City Globe Gazette, June 20, 2008
Jodi once covered Minnesota abduction, Mason City Globe Gazette, June 20, 2008
Before disappearance Huisentruit was looking for new job, Sioux City Journal, June 23, 2008
15 Years: Jodi Still Missing, KIMT Channel 3, June 25, 2010
Huisentruit investigators live with frustration, hope, Mason City Globe Gazette, June 27, 2010
15 years later, family of Huisentruit feeling frustration, hope, Sioux City Journal, June 27, 2010
Jodi Huisentruit Still Missing, KSAX-TV, June 29, 2010

Page last updated: June 30, 2010