(AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
MASON CITY – It’s been 22 years since Jodi Huisentruit tragically vanished, and some aren’t willing to merely forget the missing anchorwoman, as a former state legislator is calling on Mayor Eric Bookmeyer to declare June 27, 2017, as Jodi Huisentruit Day.
Back in December of 2016, now-retired State Rep. John Kooiker, who represented District 4 in the Iowa House of Representatives, sent a letter to a newspaper reflecting on his time serving in Des Moines. Much of his discussion gravitated to his work on the House Public Safety Committee and cold cases and – most specifically – the 1995 Jodi Huisentruit disappearance. He described in his letter how Mayor Eric Bookmeyer “begged” him to back off and other “strange” reactions to his quest to help solve the tragic case while in Des Moines.
Now, Mr. Koiker is again shedding light on the case of Jodi Huisentruit, who remains missing from Mason City. His letter to Mayor Eric Bookmeyer is below:
Dear Mayor Bookmeyer,
While I am no longer in the Iowa State House of Representatives, I know many people share my interest in solving the tragic Jodi Huisentruit case. I am requesting that you honor the memory of Jodi Huisentruit and the efforts that have been made to bring attention to her case by declaring June 27, 2017, as Jodi Huisentruit Day, as was respectfully recommended to your predecessor two years ago by all of the members Iowa State House of Representatives.
As you know, after being somewhat puzzled at the opposition from the now-retired Mason City police chief for this proposal, I confirmed that leads in this case from South Dakota had not been looked into by the MCPD for at least 7 years. In addition, I confirmed that these same leads were not made known to Iowa DCI by the Mason City Police Department for at least that same period of time. Perhaps that is why there was such opposition to calling attention to this case. Even if it is assumed these leads have now been followed up on, it still means Jodi’s case is unsolved and the public’s help is needed to solve it. So either way, proclaiming your support for solving this case is respectfully requested. And yes, I previously visited with Jodi’s sister and believe she would still be in support of your efforts to draw attention to this case.
I look forward to hearing from you. Attached is the 2015 proclamation request and the follow-up letter I sent to Chief Brinkley last year.
Sincerely,
John J Kooiker, Former HD#4 State Representative
3421 Jay Ave
Boyden, IA 51234
Why not a LYRIC AND ELIZABETH day?
the police department didn’t mishandle the case, jack schlieper is the one who mis handled it. if you knew what took place at that time you would see it was Jack who screwed it all up. after all it wasn’t just the PD that investigated it, the DCI and FBI were also there so I don’t think that the PD is trying to hide anything as if they were (did) the DCI or FBI would have discovered that, I heard that Jack made the statement when asked if the officers on duty should be notified of some info, “its none of their business”
He should be (or had been) requesting an investigation from a higher law enforcement department rather than just request a day of remembrance. Typical politician in just trying to act concerned about this rather than being pro-active in the investigation of the crime when it occurred. Politicians are generally the same, a sad bunch of people.
This guy is the worst example of grandstanding. He’s not local, he didn’t even know her. I wonder how missing persons there are from HIS district? Some, I’ll bet. Maybe no pretty blonde girls, though.
The last concern of the voters.
If you read the proclamation request, it is so much more than just about one missing person. It is about calling attention to cold cases. And indirectly the MCPD’s weird response calls for a full investigation also. Why would the MCPD be so opposed to this unless they are hiding something?
Not trying to be a dick, but why does Jody need her own day? There are thousands of missing persons in Iowa and we don’t give them each a day to honor them. Honestly what did Jody contribute to north Iowa besides being a pretty face on the news.