It's now been 28 years since the disappearance of Minnesota native Jodi Huisentruit.
The 27-year-old was reported missing after failing to show up for her early morning anchor shift at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa. Police found signs of a struggle in her apartment parking lot including drag marks on the pavement, a bent car key, and items from her bag strewn all over.
After nearly three decades, there still have not been any answers as to what led to her disappearance.
Huisentruit was declared legally dead in May 2001. She was born and raised in Long Prairie, Minnesota. She graduated from St. Cloud State with a communications and speech communication degree.
She began her broadcasting career with CBS affiliate KGAN in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, then returned to Minnesota for a job at ABC affiliate KSAX in Alexandria before her time at KIMT in Mason City.
Huisentruit apparently had overslept on the morning of June 27, 1995. She was supposed to be at KIMT-TV, in Mason City, IA, by 3:30 a.m.to begin her news anchor shift. When she failed to show up for work, KIMT-TV assistant producer Amy Kuns awakened Jodi with a phone call about 4:10 a.m. Amy said Jodi assured her she’d be right into work to anchor the 6:00 a.m. newscast in the studio, located about a mile away. Amy later said nothing sounded out of the ordinary.
Jodi was apparently abducted about 20 minutes later, next to her car, parked just 12 steps from the entrance of her apartment building according to findjodi.com.
"It’s now been 28 years since our Jodi went missing, and it is so hard to put into words the emotions we are feeling as we mark yet another year without answers and justice in her case," says a statement by the Huisentruit family. "28 years since we last saw her smile, heard her laugh, or had a chance to hug her and tell her how much we love her. 28 years of not being able to share in experiences and make memories together with her. 28 years of pure anguish dealing with the loss of our dear Jodi and trying to find answers to what happened to her on June 27, 1995."
The family says they're still holding out hope that answers will be found, and are asking anyone who has information to come forward.
"We never thought a tragedy like this would happen to our family. Please do not make us wait another year for answers. We implore you – if you know something, SAY something. The pain of not knowing where Jodi is or what happened to her is a pain we would never wish on anyone. Please – help us bring Jodi home."
You can read more from the family's statement here.