Private investigator in Iowa claims to have learned who’s responsible for Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance

MASON CITY, Iowa (NBC, KYMA) - A potential breakthrough in a decades-long cold case as an Iowa private investigator claims he has learned who is responsible for Jodi Huisentruit's disappearance.

The morning anchor from Mason City disappeared on June 27, 1995.

"There are about 12 pages of information that I've shared with the DCI," said Steve Ridge, a private investigator.

A confession that may lead to solving the case.

"Essentially, it's a woman, who I surfaced, who had a relationship with a suspect in the case almost immediately after Jodi went missing," Ridge shared.

According to Ridge, the woman recalled authorities tailing the man she was dating on a regular basis.

However, Ridge wouldn't identify the woman nor name the man he believes is responsible for Huisentruit's disappearance, but he says his investigation revealed the suspect admitted his involvement.

"Even though he was denying that he had any involvement, they reached a point where he kind of lost his cool and basically said, 'I did it,'" Ridge explained.

The alleged confession came with evidence, with Ridge saying it included several photos and handwritten communication verifying the witness' relationship with the suspect.

"I was contacted by this woman who said that it had kind of build up on her psyche over the years, and she just felt as though she had to get it off her chest. She's in her 80's now," Ridge spoke.

Ridge wouldn't say if the suspect is still alive, but he firmly believes he's their guy.

"Hopefully, they'll be able to take the ball and run with it," Ridge expressed.

He also confirms he submitted the findings to the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation (DCI), nearly 31 years after it first began.

"We can finally have some kind of closure in this case," Ridge remarked.

NBC affiliate KTTC reached out to both DCI and the Mason City Police Department (MCPD) on the topic.

The DCI did not respond as of this writing, but MCPD says vetting is required to confirm the legitimacy of the private investigator's claim.

Ridge says the special agent in charge will be collaborating with MCPD.

KTTC also reached out to the group, Find Jodi, regarding this development. They declined to comment at this time.

This Friday marks what would have been Huisentruit's 58th birthday.