Cold Cases in Iowa

ColdCaseIndex documents 7 cold cases in Iowa, spanning 1982–2006. 7 of these cases remain fully unsolved. Each case page includes documented details, status, and information on how to submit a tip.

7 Documented Cases
7 Still Unsolved
1982–2006 Year Range
2 Case Types

By Type

5 Missing Persons 2 Homicides

By Status

7 Unsolved

All Iowa Cases

Unsolved 2006

Billy Meyers

Nineteen-year-old Billy Meyers disappeared from Cedar Rapids, Iowa in April 2006 after a night out. He was never found. His case is linked to a series of similar disappearances of young men from Midwest college towns nea

Cedar Rapids Missing Person Age 19
Unsolved 2005

Michaela Shamblin

Twenty-two-year-old University of Iowa student Michaela Shamblin was reported missing in February 2005. She was last seen leaving a bar. Despite extensive investigation, she was never found. Her case remains an ongoing i

Iowa City Missing Person Age 22
Unsolved 2004

Lori Erickson

Twenty-one-year-old Lori Erickson disappeared after leaving a party near Iowa State University in Ames. Despite a large-scale search, she was never found. Her case received media attention and remains open.

Ames Missing Person Age 21
Unsolved 1995

Jodi Huisentruit

Television news anchor Jodi Huisentruit disappeared on her way to work at KIMT-TV in Mason City, Iowa. Her car was found with signs of a struggle. Despite a 25+ year investigation and significant media attention, Jodi ha

Mason City Missing Person Age 27
Unsolved 1993

Lisa Doyle

Twenty-year-old Lisa Doyle was found strangled in her Iowa City apartment. She was a student at the University of Iowa. Despite DNA evidence collected from the scene, no match was made for years. The case remains open.

Iowa City Homicide Age 20
Unsolved 1989

Donna Freese

Thirty-one-year-old Donna Freese was found murdered in Davenport, Iowa in October 1989. Despite investigation, the case went cold. It remains in Scott County cold case files.

Davenport Homicide Age 31
Unsolved 1982

Johnny Gosch

Twelve-year-old Johnny Gosch disappeared while delivering newspapers in West Des Moines, Iowa. He was the first person to appear on a milk carton under the new program. His mother Noreen Gosch became a fierce advocate fo

West Des Moines Missing Person Age 12