Amy Kuns was a producer for KIMT-TV’s ‘Daybreak’ morning show in Mason City, Iowa when morning anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared. Amy called Jodi when she failed to show up to work on the morning of June 27th, 1995. To this day, Amy remains to be the last person to talk to Jodi before she disappeared from the parking lot of her residence at the Key Apartments.
Amy answered several of FindJodi.com’s questions regarding the day Jodi disappeared, the current investigation and instances surrounding the case.
Q: After 16 years, are you surprised this case is still unsolved? What surprises you the most?
A: Yes, I am surprised this case is still unsolved. I’m most surprised that the person responsible has not slipped up and talked about or “bragged” about what he did.
Q: How often do you think of this case? Have you been able to move on from it, or is it a constant struggle?
A: I had to let it go and move on. I had a private memorial service for Jodi at the river behind her apartment building. I let three roses go in the water…one for the past…one for the present…and one for the future. The future being important…vowing to hold out hope that the case would be solved. I also wrote Jodi a letter. I ripped it up…and let that go in the water as well.
Q: Regarding the morning you called Jodi–walk us through exactly when you knew she was not in, what time you called her and what she said on the phone.
A: I don’t remember what time I called her. I think it was 4:10 a.m. if I remember right. Please check the police report for the exact time. It’s been so long, I don’t remember! I called her twice. I talked to her and woke her up that first time. The second time, it just rang and rang. I don’t remember the times. I had obviously woken her up. She asked what time it was. I told her. She said she’d be right in.
Q: It’s been reported she was often late to work. What time was she supposed to be in? How often was she late?
A: She was supposed to be in no later than 3 a.m. She was often late. About once a week. I would call her and wake her up…and she’d be in to work within 20 minutes.
Q: When did Jodi’s shift start and end?
A: 3 a.m. to 12:30 or 1 p.m.
Q: Did she have a cell phone back then?
A: If she had a cell phone, I didn’t have the number.
Q: At what time did you know something was wrong–and why did you wait to call the police?
A: I knew something was wrong at about 6 a.m. I didn’t call police. I had the next person who came into work call police. I waited because I thought she had just fallen back asleep. At the very worst, maybe she fell and hit her head in the shower. And honestly, I was busy doing the work of two people.
Q: Do you think Jodi was alone in her apartment that morning?
A: Yes, I believe she was alone.
Q: Police say Jodi went to them about being stalked and a white truck was mentioned. Did you ever know anything about someone stalking her? Did she ever tell you?
A: She mentioned that she thought she was followed once while she was roller-blading. But it never happened again. She wasn’t that worried about it. It just creeped her out. This is the first I’ve heard mention of a white truck.
Q: Did Jodi confide in you about personal things, or did you just have a business relationship?
A: She did not confide in me. It was mostly a business relationship.
Q: The night before did you attend the golf event? If so, what do you remember of it?
A: I did not attend the golf event.
Q: Did you attend John Vansice’s party he threw for Jodi’s birthday? If so, what do you remember. Anything out of the ordinary?
A: I did not attend Vansice’s party. I wasn’t even invited.
Q: How soon were you interviewed by police? Did they give you a lie detector test? Were there any questions asked that were out of the ordinary you can remember?
A: I was interviewed by the police the day Jodi disappeared. I was interviewed by the FBI a couple days later. I’ve been told not to talk about the interview. I was not given a lie detector test.
Q: What was the mood in the newsroom the week after she disappeared? Did anyone suspect co-workers having involvement?
A: The mood was very somber. No one EVER suspected co-workers involvement.
Q: Do you think drugs were involved in this case?
A: Jodi had been really up and down before her disappearance. She would fall asleep in edit bays…and later in the day be really perky. I wondered what was going on with her. I would not be surprised if drugs were involved.
Q: Did Jodi butt heads with anyone at the station? What was her working demeanor? Was she always polite, or frustrated, irritated, happy and patient?
A: I was Jodi’s assistant. She was very demanding. She would often snap at me. Then she would turn around and clap…stand up at her desk and proclaim…”I love life!” I could never figure her out.
Q: Did Jodi hang out with work people or have an outside group of friends?
A: Jodi was good friends with out co-worker, Robin Wolfram. Robin was the main evening anchor at the time. Other than that, Jodi had an outside group of friends.
Q: You’ve said in the past that you have a hunch on who could have responsible. Do your friends or coworkers share the same hunch?
A: I do believe my former co-worker share the same hunch.
Q: How do you think MCPD is handling the case? 1-10? Can they do more?
A: On a scale of 1-10, I’d give them a 1. I definitely think they could be doing more. The interview where Ron Van DeWeerd is shown dusting off the case file speaks volumes.
Q: What do you think needs to happen to solve this case?
A: I think the person responsible needs to slip up an talk about what happened. Maybe brag to someone about what he did. Then we’ll get the break we need.
Q: What do you think of FindJodi.com?
A: Honestly, I’ve never been to FindJodi.com. Sorry!
