Investigators from Mason City, Iowa, are searching the area of ​​Winsted, Minnesota, for a lead on Huisentruit. • Find Jodi Huisentruit. Find Jodi Huisentruit

Investigators from Mason City, Iowa, recently searched an area in Winsted, Minnesota, for a possible lead related to the search for missing Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit, who was kidnapped on June 27, 1995.

Acting on a tip, Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural town northwest of the Twin Cities.

Mason City Police Chief Jeff Brinkley confirmed the purpose of the search in a brief statement to FindJodi:

“MCPD recently worked with Minnesota police officers to follow up on a lead in Winsted. MCPD continues to regularly receive, evaluate and follow up on information it receives related to the disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit. The information obtained will be used in the ongoing investigation. There is currently no further information available for publication. We would encourage anyone with information about Jodi’s disappearance to contact MCPD or the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation.”

The chief declined to provide details about the tip or its status in the overall Huisentruit investigation.

FindJodi traveled to Winsted to take a closer look at the area in question.

The heavy police presence from Iowa and Minnesota last month in an area next to a housing construction site caught the attention of Winsted residents who live in the community of about 2,000. This prompted a tipster to contact FindJodi, wondering if Winsted might have a connection to Jodi's kidnapping.

The local newspaper also reported on the search, but did not mention that it was related to Jodi's case. The Herald Journal reported: “Local authorities in Winsted confirmed Monday that they have assisted an Iowa non-governmental law enforcement agency in an ongoing investigation. The investigation will focus on the property and surrounding area of ​​the new Grass Lake Farms Third Addition apartment complex development.”

Acting on a tip, Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural town of Winsted, Minnesota.

Journalist Andrew Meuleners also reported: “Winsted Police Chief Justin Heldt confirmed that the local police department assisted Iowa law enforcement. However, due to the ongoing investigation, Heldt was unable to provide further details.”

In response to an email from FindJodi co-founder Josh Benson, Chef Heldt said his Winsted department was not investigating “the case you mentioned.”

Acting on a tip, Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural town of Winsted, Minnesota.

Winsted is about a three-hour drive from Mason City and 104 miles from Long Prairie, Minnesota, where Jodi grew up.

See also: Winsted police are participating in the Iowa-led investigation (Herald Journal)

For Jodi's family, friends and former KIMT-TV colleagues, reports of new tips and searches are part of the emotional rollercoaster they've been on for nearly thirty years waiting for answers.

Acting on a tip, Iowa investigators conducted the search two weeks ago in the rural town of Winsted, Minnesota.

Jodi's sister JoAnn Nathe said she was unaware of the latest development when FindJodi reached out to her. JoAnn also said she was grateful to hear that Mason City police are following up on leads like the one in Winsted. “You have to follow up on everything,” she told FindJodi. “You never know where they’re going.”

In June it will be 30 years since Jodi was kidnapped in the parking lot of her apartment as she got into her car. She was on her way to anchor the morning news at KIMT-TV.

Anyone with information about Jodi's unsolved case is asked to contact Mason City Police at (641) 421-3636. Alternatively, information may be provided to Iowa DCI Special Agent in Charge Ryan Herman at [email protected]. And you can contact FindJodi.com