$25,000 reward offered in Jodi Huisentruit case

MASON CITY, Iowa (KTTC) – A $25,000 reward is being offered for information that leads to the recovery of the remains of former Mason City morning television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit.

Huisentruit disappeared in the early the morning of June 27, 1995, on her way to work at KIMT-TV in Mason City. Investigators never officially closed the case, but new developments and details have surfaced in recent months, leading private investigator Steve Ridge to believe he is close to solving it.

Ridge has been actively investigating the case going on three years, since leaving his former media consulting firm which provided on-air coaching for Huisentruit early in her career.

“I think steady progress is being made and the clock is ticking obviously in terms of the age of the case and the age of the people that may have been involved but as that happens it also does increase the likely hood somebody will talk,” Ridge said.

Ridge said he believes at least two people know what happened to Huisentruit, but it could be as many as three or more. Now Ridge is offering this reward as a private citizen hoping to motivate someone to talk. According to Ridge, the reward offer has the blessing of Huisentruit’s sister, JoAnn Nathe.

“I speak with JoAnn on a regular basis, and we have decided the timing is right to seek information on where Jodi’s body was discarded,” Ridge said in a news release.

In order for someone to obtain the reward it does not require an arrest or conviction, but the recovery of her remains. Ridge says if someone has valuable information as to where Jodi is, they most likely will not face charges.

“I think that person would be considered a hero probably, especially since there tends to be a lot of fear about coming forward and I think the timing may be right,” Ridge said.

Ridge has asked that any information in the case be directed to the Mason City Police Department at 641-421-3636.

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