Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Decades after the unsettling disappearance of Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, new insights surfaced through a documentary that suggests a potential suspect, rekindling hope in a case long considered cold.
The documentary, titled Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit, reveals previously undisclosed information about Brad Millerbernd, the ex-husband of Huisentruit’s childhood best friend, Patty Niemeyer. Authorities investigated Millerbernd after receiving tips that linked him to the sensational case of Huisentruit’s abduction in 1995.
Niemeyer disclosed that her ex-husband remarkably resembled police sketches of suspected individuals. At the time of Huisentruit’s disappearance, Millerbernd lived approximately three hours away from her apartment, raising further questions about his potential involvement in her abduction.
Maria Awes, the executive producer of the documentary, expressed the weight of this revelation. In a statement to Fox News Digital, she noted, “Here you have somebody who was extremely close to Jodi, who was in her very tight circle of friends, grew up with her – all of those things. Now, she believes that her own ex-husband may have had something to do with Jodi’s disappearance. To come forward takes an extreme amount of bravery.”
Throughout the lengthy investigation, Millerbernd has consistently claimed his innocence while cooperating with authorities. Fox News Digital reached out for a statement, but Millerbernd did not respond. Law enforcement officials, however, have refrained from confirming or denying whether Millerbernd is a person of interest in the ongoing investigation.
Jeff Brinkley, the Police Chief, emphasized the department’s ongoing commitment to solving this case. “MCPD continues to investigate Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance and hopes that the current information is able to produce useful leads that help bring some closure to the case for the family and our community,” he stated, adding that discussions about suspects with the media remain off the table.
Timeline of Disappearance
The events surrounding Huisentruit’s disappearance transpired on the morning of June 27, 1995. As an anchor for KIMT-TV, she was heading to work when she called a coworker to notify them of her travel plans, yet she never arrived.
Authorities quickly deemed her disappearance an abduction after her belongings were found outside her Mason City apartment. Evidence, including a bent key and high heels located near her vehicle, indicated a struggle had taken place. Eyewitnesses also reported seeing a white van in the vicinity and hearing a scream, which further escalated the urgency of the investigation.
Continued Efforts and Investigation
Despite extensive search efforts over the years, authorities have struggled to locate Huisentruit, and there have been no arrests related to her case. In 2001, she was declared legally dead, a painful milestone for her family. However, they remain hopeful for new leads as the investigation continues.
In a reaffirmation of their dedication, Brinkley stated, “We haven’t put this down, we haven’t stopped working, we have not stopped pursuing leads and information.” The search for answers saw a significant moment last year when officers examined a property located approximately 170 miles from Mason City, in Winsted, Minnesota. Unfortunately, this investigation yielded no new findings regarding Huisentruit’s disappearance, and the reasons behind targeting this particular property have not been disclosed.
Recent Developments and Renewed Hope
Recent information that emerged from a 2017 search warrant, disclosed earlier this year, linked GPS data from two vehicles owned by a friend of Huisentruit, John Vansice. Vansice, who has since passed away, was among the last known individuals to see Huisentruit prior to her vanishing act. Reports indicated that he fully cooperated with investigators at all levels.
Despite the numerous leads that have gone cold, Huisentruit’s family continues to hold on to hope. On the anniversary of her disappearance, they released an emotional statement on the Jodi Hope’s Facebook page. They expressed, “The pain and anguish felt by us and all who loved Jodi are immeasurable. True peace will only be given to us when Jodi is found and justice is served for her. We know it is hard to have hope for resolution after so many years, but we still choose to hope that one day soon it will happen.”
A Community United in Search for Truth
The time passing does not diminish the need for closure in this haunting case. The community continues to rally behind Huisentruit’s family, sharing information and engaging in discussions about any available leads. The re-emergence of potential suspects will likely encourage those with any knowledge of the case to come forward.
The investigation continues to evolve, and with the documentary highlighting new details, there is renewed interest from both the public and media. As the search for truth endures, many are left wondering if the current insights will finally bring justice to a case that has gripped Iowa for thirty years.
Fox News Digital’s Stephanie Nolasco contributed to this report.
