Here we are.
I never thought this case would go 25 years. I figured at least a decade ago we’d get the tip that blew the case wide open. Or we’d get a confession. Or Jodi would simply be found. After all, other cold cases have been solved decades after the fact. Why not Jodi’s case? It’s sad. And it’s frustrating.
But in the early morning hours of this 25th anniversary, it feels a bit different to write this summary compared to other years. After all, the world is a crazy place. Our world is dealing with a pandemic. Many of us are holed up in our homes, too stressed to go out. Cases are climbing. Businesses are crumbling. At times, it feels as though hope is lost. Jodi would be covering this story day in and day out. And she’d likely retreat to her family as the only means of entertainment with the closest of loved ones most of us can trust in a time like this.
But as I sit here not knowing what the next week will bring in our own lives, I think about Jodi’s family and friends. They didn’t get the option to have things ‘get better’ when it came to Jodi. They were robbed of a beautiful soul. And that maddening fact has been a driving force for our team. A chance to help make things right. Stop the pain. Bring Jodi home.
We’re still trying.
A few days ago our team connected virtually for the first time in a long time. After all, that’s how everyone is communicating these days, right? It was great to just sit and chat about Jodi’s case. Where we came from, what we’ve seen, what went right, what went wrong and how we plan to plow forward. It was cathartic. It re-energized this aging body more than it has been in awhile. I needed some hope. This chat really helped.
And it also made me realize the amount of ground we’ve covered. It’s staggering how much effort has been put into this case. Emails from 2002. Video from 1989. Pictures from before then. The amount of information we’ve generate and compiled is astounding. And yet, it may be the key to solving this case. As co-founder Gary Peterson always told me,
“The answer is in those files, man. We just have to go back and look.”
And I believe that. I think this case can be solved with the help of you, the reader. You help generate the tips regarding things you’ve seen, saw or remembered from 1995 and prior. Cross reference what we learn from those leads and compare with our files and a pattern starts to form. It’s like a 5000 word puzzle and we’re about 25 pieces away from finishing it. At least that’s what it feels like. Of course, we’re missing a piece or two. So a perfect ending will be hard to come by.
We just launched Episode 3 of FindJodi, the Podcast. Please give it a listen. It’s the team sitting down virtually and chatting about the case. Again, where we’ve been and where we are headed.
Listen to Episode 3 of the FindJodi Podcast here ››
And we sincerely want to thank all of you for your support, tips, information, donations and well-wishes.
I’d say I’m hoping their won’t be a 26th anniversary (as I’ve done every single anniversary before this), but my years of experience tell me otherwise. We’ll plan to have a 26th anniversary. But I’m hoping we won’t need to. I’m proud of our team. I’m proud of how much they dig and continue to push the case forward.
Thank you for your support. If you would like to continue to prop up this organization, you can do so by donating. We appreciate each dollar and ensure it’s put to good use.
And to the Jodi’s family and friends…we know this is a tough day. Maybe not as much as for you, but we feel the pain of having to see another year pass. And we hope to continue on doing what we can to put an end to the mystery and pain…and find Jodi.
If you have any information on Jodi’s disappearance, please come forward.
Submit an Anonymous Tip to FindJodi.com here.
Submit a question or comment to FindJodi.com here.
Call the FindJodi.com tipline and leave a message at: (970) 458-JODI
You may also direct your leads directly to law enforcement at:
Mason City Police Department
Phone: (641) 421-3636
Iowa Department of Criminal Investigations (DCI)
Phone: (515) 725-6010
(Featured Image: Kelly Torguson)
