It is with deep sadness we share the passing of Jay Alberio, a longtime member of our FindJodi team, former Woodbury, Minnesota, police commander and good friend.
Jay joined FindJodi in 2013 after retiring from a 27-year career in law enforcement. In that role, he had a reputation as a tenacious investigator and respected supervisor who was also very kind to the victims and citizens he served in Woodbury.
Jay at his home studio set up for the FindJodi podcast.
He was the kind of detective you’d hope would be assigned to the case if someone in your family was the victim of a violent crime.
In a newspaper interview when Jay retired, then-Woodbury Police Chief Lee Vague reflected on his time with Jay, calling him the “most talented detective I have ever met.” He added, ” Jay Alberio is renowned for being a bloodhound and being able to catch bad guys.”
Many people who worked with Jay in law enforcement have been sharing their memories of him on social media.
Members of the FindJodi.com team prepare for the Walk for Jodi in Mason City, Iowa (Courtesy: Caroline Lowe)
One former colleague wrote, “Jay was the best investigator we’ve ever had. He had a memory for people and events unlike anything I have ever seen. He was also a mentor to all of us now in command positions.”
Several commented on Jay’s kindness. “Jay was a wonderful man who knew everyone and was so well-regarded in the community. This is a terrible loss.”
Jay brought those same investigative skills to our FindJodi team, providing the law enforcement perspective on various leads we have pursued in our search for Jodi Huisentruit.
Even in his final weeks dealing with cancer, Jay remained engaged in our discussions about Jodi, resolved to help find answers and justice for the abducted news anchor and her loved ones.
Jay lining up a putt at the Jodi’s Network of Hope Golf Tournament. He was an excellent golfer.
Our last chat with Jay was in a phone call from the hospital where he’d gone for emergency treatment after taking part in a FindJodi Zoom call. He refused to let his failing health stop him from talking about our latest investigative activities.
“That what was so incredible about him,” says FindJodi, Inc. co-founder Josh Benson. “He was relentless. He had that innate capacity to dig on a tip or a lead with great detail. And he wouldn’t quit, even up to the end. He had mentioned he was just going to listen in on the Zoom call but didn’t want to on camera. Now knowing he was likely hurting so badly, but still wanted to forge ahead is absolutely incredible. That was Jay.”
Over the years, Jay also frequently attended our FindJodi events in Mason City, Iowa, to honor Jodi. He was part of the most recent one last June 27 when Patty Wetterling was the keynote speaker.
An avid golfer, Jay also participated in the annual Jodi’s Network of Hope golf fundraiser in Jodi’s hometown of Long Prairie, Minnesota.
Jodi’s niece, Kristen Nathe, posted this message on Facebook, in response to Jay’s passing: “It is with heavy heart that I share this post. Jay was a steadfast member of the FindJodi team who provided a unique and valuable perspective with his law enforcement experience. I think it says a lot about who Jay was as a person that he would volunteer his time and energy in retirement to help solve Jodi’s case. Our deepest condolences to his wife, Judy, and all who loved him, and our eternal gratitude to him for all his work to help find Jodi.”
Our thoughts are with Jay’s wife, Judy, his mom, other relatives and his extended Woodbury police family during this difficult time.
Jay will be dearly missed by our team and we will continue to be inspired by him as we search for answers to what happened to Jodi.
