Ep 8. Radio Silence

In the sixth season of the popular true crime series Disappeared, episode 8 titled "Radio Silence" tells the story of Jodi Huisentruit, a respected news anchor for KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa who disappeared abruptly on her way to work one morning.

On the morning of June 27, 1995, Huisentruit failed to show up for her 4 am broadcast. When her colleagues at the TV station called her apartment, her answering machine provided no answer, raising concerns about her whereabouts. By 7 am, when Huisentruit still hadn’t shown up for work or responded to phone calls, a colleague contacted the police.

The search for Huisentruit began almost immediately, and the Mason City police department launched an investigation with the assistance of the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation. According to reports, it was quickly noted that Huisentruit's car was still in the parking lot of her apartment complex, with what appeared to be struggle evidence located around the car's doors and trunk. It was soon discovered that there were also visible signs of a struggle in her apartment.

As the days turned into months, and the months into years, the case went cold. Despite extensive searches and multiple investigations, no one has been charged in the disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit, and her body has never been found.

In "Radio Silence," the Disappeared team re-investigates the case and interviews some of Huisentruit’s friends, colleagues, and family members who, more than two decades later, still remember her as a kind, professional, and dedicated journalist who loved her job. In addition, the episode features detectives and other law enforcement officials who worked on the case and shared their theories on how and why Huisentruit disappeared.

The episode also explores some of the controversial and peculiar aspects of the case, such as the unknown person who reportedly called Huisentruit early that morning and declined to identify themselves, leaving her shaken and altering her morning routine. Other scandalous details that surfaced amidst the investigation involve a former CBS staff member who was accused of stalking her, a cold case from 15 years before her disappearance that she briefly mentioned on-air, and more.

Throughout the entire episode, viewers are left wondering what might have happened to Jodi Huisentruit and why she vanished. Despite the many theories that have circulated over the years, no one has ever been able to produce a solid answer.

As with every episode of Disappeared, "Radio Silence" is gripping and well-researched, and will leave viewers with many questions. It is a highly recommended addition to the show’s line-up and a must-see for true crime enthusiasts.