Judge orders partial release of Huisentruit search warrant

Senior District Court Judge James Drew has ruled that part of a search warrant related to the 1995 disappearance of KIMT-TV anchor Jodi Huisentruit will remain sealed, while other portions can be made public. The warrant concerns GPS data associated with John Vansice, a longtime person of interest in the case, and was filed and executed in March 2017 before being sealed the same day.

Attorneys for private investigator Steve Ridge petitioned to unseal the warrant following Vansice's death in December 2023, arguing that his family deserves closure. In contrast, the county attorney's office contended that unsealing the records could jeopardize the ongoing investigation. During a recent court hearing, Drew noted the importance of maintaining the confidentiality of certain investigative materials, asserting that the affidavit associated with the search warrant contained sensitive information.

In his ruling, Drew emphasized that disclosing every affidavit could have negative consequences, enabling potential suspects to conceal critical information. The affidavit includes details only known to law enforcement and the perpetrator, which could diminish its value as evidence in future confessions. He underscored that public interest must not interfere with ongoing investigations, particularly in high-profile cases like Huisentruit's disappearance.

Drew acknowledged the public's curiosity about the case but stressed that it should not take precedence over the integrity of the investigation. He pointed out that while some similar cases have allowed for the sealing of affidavits, in this instance, the entire search warrant file was not sealed, affirming that only certain parts would remain confidential.

The application, endorsement search warrant, and the return documents will be unsealed in 31 days unless there is an appeal from the state or Ridge's attorneys. Those with information related to Huisentruit's case are encouraged to contact the Mason City Police Department.