Investigators from Mason City, Iowa, recently searched an area in Winsted, Minnesota, on a possible lead connected to the search for missing Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, abducted on June 27, 1995.
Acting on a tip, the Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural city northwest of the Twin Cities.
Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley confirmed the purpose of the search in a brief statement to FindJodi:
“MCPD recently worked with Minnesota law enforcement officials to follow up on a lead in Winsted. MCPD continues to receive, evaluate, and follow up on information it receives related to Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance on a regular basis. Information gleaned from this effort will be used in the ongoing investigation. At this time, there is no additional information for public release. We do want to encourage anyone with information about Jodi’s disappearance to contact the MCPD or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation.”
The chief declined to share specifics about the tip or its status in the overall Huisentruit investigation.
FindJodi traveled to Winsted to take a closer look at the area in question.
The heavy Iowa and Minnesota police presence last month in an area by an apartment construction site caught the attention of Winsted residents who live in the community which has a population of about 2,000. It prompted a tipster to reach out to FindJodi who wondered if there might be a connection in Winsted to Jodi’s abduction.
The local newspaper also did a story on the search, but did not mention it was related to Jodi’s case. The Herald Journal reported: “Local authorities in Winsted, confirmed Monday, that they assisted an out-of-state law enforcement agency from Iowa in an ongoing investigation. The investigation is focused on the land and surrounding area of the new apartment complex construction site at Grass Lake Farms Third Addition.”
Acting on a tip, the Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural city of Winsted, Minnesota.
Journalist Andrew Meuleners also reported, “Winsted Police Chief of Police Justin Heldt confirmed that the local police department provided assistance to the Iowa law enforcement agency. However, due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, Heldt was unable to provide any further details.”
In response to an email from FindJodi co-founder Josh Benson, Chief Heldt said his Winsted department is not investigating “the case you mentioned.”
Acting on a tip, the Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural city of Winsted, Minnesota.
See Also: Winsted Police involved in Iowa-led investigation (Herald Journal)
Winsted is about a three-hour drive from Mason City and 104 miles from Long Praire, Minnesota, where Jodi grew up.
For Jodi’s family, friends and former KIMT-TV colleagues, reports on new tips and searches are part of the emotional roller coaster journey they have been on for almost thirty years, waiting for answers.
Acting on a tip, the Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural city of Winsted, Minnesota.
Jodi’s sister JoAnn Nathe said she was unaware of the latest development, when FindJodi reached out to her. JoAnn also said she’s grateful to hear Mason City police are following up on leads like the one in Winsted. “They need to follow up on everything,” she told FindJodi. “You never know where they might go.”
It will be 30 years in June since Jodi was abducted getting into her car in her apartment parking lot. She was on her way to anchor the morning news at KIMT-TV.
Anyone with information about Jodi’s unsolved case is asked to contact the Mason City Police Department at (641) 421-3636 or information can be shared with Iowa DCI Special Agent Ryan Herman : rherman@dps.state.ia.us. And you can contact FindJodi.com
