Jodi Huisentruit was on her way to work in the early-morning hours of June 27, 1995, when she vanished. Thirty years later, a sheriff has wondered whether a suspected serial killer could have been involved.
The case of the missing Iowa news anchor is being explored in a new ABC News Studios documentary, “Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit.” It features interviews with Huisentruit’s loved ones, investigators, and others closely connected to the case.
The film takes a deep dive into four persons of interest, including Wisconsin Rapids native Christopher Revak.
Mason City Police Department Lt. Frank Stearns previously said there was no evidence that connected Christopher Revak to Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance. However, it was important to explore all possibilities in hopes of getting answers. In the documentary, Mason City Police Investigator Terrance Prochaska (pictured here) spoke about the connection between the cases. (ABC News Studios)
“One of the things that always … resonated with me is that there are a lot of persons of interest related to this case that have been looked at over the years,” Awes explained.
“I think it’s easy to take a look at each individual and think, ‘Of course, it must be this person. Look at all the different pieces of circumstantial evidence.’ But then you also think, ‘But what about this other person?’ There are just a lot of people who, I think, warrant an investigation related to whether or not they could have been involved.”
The exterior of the apartment complex where TV anchor Jodi Huisentruit resided and mysteriously disappeared from. (Steve Kagan/The Life Images Collection via Getty Images/Getty Images)
“I think what surprises me is just that there are a lot of folks who’ve been mentioned as a potential person who may be responsible, someone who has a missing link, a piece of information. . . . Somebody has to come forward with answers.”
Investigators have never found Jodi Huisentruit, who was declared legally dead in 2001, The Associated Press reported. (ABC News Studios)
Awes noted that at the time, Huisentruit’s apartment was dusted for fingerprints.
“Fingerprints were the thing back then,” she said. “Sometimes that fingerprint dust can erode the ability to get DNA from things. But I think that what you have here is an opportunity to take advantage of … new testing techniques and new ways to potentially look at this evidence again.”
And investigators are “extremely hopeful” to find out what happened to Huisentruit, she said.
Pink ribbons tied on trees after Jodi Huisentruit disappeared. (Rita Reed/Star Tribune via Getty Images)
“They have never lost hope,” said Awes. “I think everyone feels like it is solvable. They just need that one missing piece. And I hope that someone watching this will have that piece of information they need to solve this case.”
Awes also hopes the documentary will shed light on Huisentruit before she made headlines.
Ani Kruse, a friend of Jodi Huisentruit’s, is seen sporting a ribbon in honor of the news anchor. (Steve Kagan/Getty Images)
“She was a daughter, sister, colleague, friend – all these wonderful things,” Awes said. “I think it’s important to keep the memory of who she was alive. . . . If anyone out there knows anything, it’s been 30 years. Please come forward with information to law enforcement. Let’s get that information to the police so that we can hopefully solve this case once and for all.”
