A new book explores the 1995 disappearance of Mason City television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit. Author Beth Bednar also worked as an anchor for a TV station in Austin, Minnesota, and knew Huisentruit as a colleague in the market. Bednar’s book, “Dead Air,” explores the possibilites of what may have happened to Huisentruit nearly 16 years ago.
“One of the persistent theories is that she was just taken by a stalker,” Bednar says. “Now, that is a possibility as a young woman on television, there are a few, shall we say, weirdos in the audience and that happens to anyone who’s ever spent any time on television.”
In the book, Bednar says she also explored the relationships Huisentruit had with several people. “Statistically speaking, it is most likely when a person disappears or is killed that, unfortunately, it’s a person close to her or someone who has made acquaintance with her,” Bednar says. “I looked into those possibilities as well.”
Bednar believes Huisentruit knew the person or persons who abducted her early on the morning of June 27th, 1995, as she prepared to leave for work. Bednar doesn’t believe it was a random event and thinks it is most likely it was a person Huisentruit knew or had at least met in the days before her disappearance.
Bednar will sign copies of her book today at Borders Books in Ames. A portion of the proceeds from the book will be donated to three foundations honoring Huisentruit’s memory. Learn more at: www.bethbednar.com
By Bob Fisher, KRIB, Mason City