Forensic Files Season 9 Episode 4 News At 11

In season 9, episode 4 of Forensic Files titled "News At 11," we follow the investigation into the brutal murder of news anchor Jodi Huisentruit. Jodi was a beloved local news personality in Mason City, Iowa, known for her professionalism and bubbly personality. One morning in June of 1995, she failed to show up for her early morning broadcast. Concerned colleagues called the police to check on her, and what they found was a scene of unimaginable horror.

Jodi's apartment complex was quiet, her car was in the parking lot, and there was no sign of a struggle. However, her personal belongings were strewn about, and a pair of shoes and earrings lay on the ground. Blood was found on her car and the pavement surrounding it. This was clearly a crime scene.

The Mason City Police Department launched an investigation, but the case quickly grew cold. Despite extensive searches of the surrounding area and a massive publicity campaign, there were no suspects and no leads. The case went unsolved for years.

Then, in 1997, new evidence was discovered. A retired sheriff's deputy living in Arizona came forward with shocking information. He claimed that he had seen a white van parked outside Jodi's apartment on the morning of her disappearance. A sketch was released based on his description of the suspect vehicle, and it quickly generated leads.

One of the people who came forward was a local man named John Vansice. He had been a friend of Jodi's and had spent time with her the night before she disappeared. Vansice was initially cooperative with police, but he soon became a suspect himself. He was known to have a white van, and the van's interior had been thoroughly cleaned in the days following Jodi's disappearance. Detectives also uncovered a series of incriminating voicemails left on Vansice's answering machine by a woman who claimed to have witnessed the crime.

Despite the mounting evidence against him, Vansice maintained his innocence. He was not arrested, and the case remained unsolved for years.

Then, in 2019, a breakthrough finally came. DNA evidence found at the crime scene was analyzed using advanced modern techniques, and a suspect was identified. Jodi's killer was revealed to be a man named Joseph James DeAngelo, also known as the Golden State Killer. DeAngelo had not been on police radar in 1995, but he was arrested in 2018 for a series of crimes in California that had gone unsolved for decades.

The revelation that Jodi's killer was the notorious Golden State Killer stunned the nation. It was not immediately clear how or why DeAngelo had traveled from California to Iowa to commit this crime, but the DNA evidence left no room for doubt. In death, Jodi had finally received the justice she deserved.

The "News At 11" episode of Forensic Files is a gripping true-crime tale that showcases both the power and the limitations of forensic science. Despite the best efforts of law enforcement, this case went unsolved for years, until new technology and some lucky breaks finally cracked it wide open. It's a testament to the dedication of the police officers and forensic experts who worked tirelessly to see justice done, and to the resilience of Jodi's family and friends, who refused to give up hope. Watch this episode for a fascinating look at a complex investigation that ultimately led to the downfall of one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.