Dead Air: Author speaks about missing news anchor

Standing before an audience in the Center for Multicultural Education Thursday, author Beth Bednar asked a very pointed question to start her talk: "Why are all of you here?"          Bednar, a former news anchor from KAAL-TV in Austin, Minn., was on campus to discuss a suspected murder that occurred 16 years ago – one that remains unsolved to this day. That case is the disappearance of Mason City news anchor Jodi Huisentruit on June 27, 1995. Bednar details the disappearance and possible solutions to the mystery in her new book, "Dead Air: The Disappearance of Jodi Huisentruit."

    Of those in attendance, some were there for participation points for class, and several others grew up in the Mason City area, experiencing news of the events firsthand. Huisentruit's unsolved abduction left an indelible mark on the people of Iowa, and on Bednar. 

    As a news anchor in the same region as Huisentruit, Bednar described hearing the news of the abduction.

    "The day she disappeared, it hit so close to home, that it felt like someone punched me in the gut," Bednar said.

    For research into her book, Bednar spent a year and a half conducting interviews and searching the site of the disappearance and surrounding vicinity.  Some people shot down her requests, others angled for something in return and many spoke to her only on condition of anonymity. 

    Even after all this time, Bednar found a wealth of information. 

    "Most people are still fascinated, frankly," said Bednar. "It's still the highest-profile cold case in the history of Iowa. People don't want to see it swept under the rug. This is one case where people still care."

    During the visit to campus, Bednar answered questions about her process of writing the book, discussed the disappearance and read a section of the book about one potential eyewitness on the morning of the disappearance. 

    "My ultimate hope is that someone will come forward and say something. There's got to be someone out there who knows something but is keeping quiet," said Bednar.

    Dakota Fleshner, a junior elementary education major, enjoyed the talk and Bednar's book. 

    "I thought it was really interesting – I read it last August," said Fleshner.  "I'm from south of Mason City, so I grew up hearing about (the case), and I thought it was cool to hear." 

    Jake Green, a freshman management major, echoed the sentiment.

    "I thought (the talk) was really interesting.  I thought it was interesting how it's still unsolved," he said.

    Bednar's book is available for sale at Amazon.com, with a list price of $24.95.  A portion of the proceeds from the book sales will be donated to three foundations honoring Huisentruit's memory. 

    Information about the author can be found at www.bethbednar.com, and information about Jodi Huisentruit and the case can be seen at www.findjodi.com.