What happened to Jodi Huisentruit? Everything to know about the new suspect

Nearly 30 years after the 27-year-old Iowa news anchor Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance case went cold, a new person of interest has emerged, breathing fresh life into one of America's most haunting cases. Jodi disappeared from the parking lot of her apartment in the early hours of June 27, 1995, leaving behind chilling clues like bent car keys, scattered belongings, and signs of a struggle.

But now, a new docuseries titled Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit reveals a previously unknown connection, one that may finally shed light on what happened to the news anchor.

A Familiar Face Raises Questions

The latest development centers around Brad Millerbernd, the ex-husband of Huisentruit’s childhood best friend, Patty Niemeyer. In the Hulu documentary, Niemeyer tells filmmakers that a police sketch of a possible suspect shown for the first time showcased an eerie resemblance to Millerbernd. 

“I see Brad Millerbernd. That is him to a T,” Patty stated in the docuseries.

Millerbernd, who lived approximately three hours from Huisentruit’s apartment, reportedly had dinner with her in the fall before her disappearance. According to Niemeyer, he also placed a call to Jodi just weeks before she vanished. Despite these revelations, Millerbernd has denied any involvement and has shown full cooperation with law enforcement, which includes providing DNA samples and also taking a polygraph test.

Another detail revealed in the docuseries is that Niemeyer and Millerbernd finalized their divorce, for reasons unknown, just four days before the Iowa news anchor went missing. Niemeyer also recalled her then-husband’s persistent interest in Jodi during their marriage, which seemingly bothered her. Her suspicion grew after a chilling phone call she received from Millerbernd on the 10th anniversary of Jodi’s disappearance, when he asked her if she was aware what day it was.

Though these details may suggest foul play, with no proof and just the testimony of one person, it may be difficult to implicate Brad Millerbernd in the case. Additionally, his cooperation with the law agencies so far hasn’t led to them declaring Brad a primary suspect yet.

Investigators Reopen a Cold Trail

A TV news anchor vanishes. And then, almost 30 years later, a break in the case and new leads. What really happened to Jodi? The all-new true crime docuseries - “Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit” - is now streaming on Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. pic.twitter.com/KRTmqJsJJg

— ABC News Studios (@abcnewsstudios) July 15, 2025

Authorities first treated Jodi Huisentruit’s disappearance as a missing person case, but the evidence at the scene, which included personal items scattered near her car and a palm print on a nearby light pole, suggested malice and quickly shifted the focus to a possible abduction. Despite extensive searches, no body or definitive evidence was ever found, leading the authorities to declare Jodi legally dead in 2001.

But years later, tips from Niemeyer in 2017 prompted police to re-examine her ex-husband, Brad Millerbernd. Although he remains only a person of interest and has not been named a suspect, some unsettling coincidences surround him. For instance, he owned a white van similar to one spotted near Jodi’s apartment the morning she went missing.

“Coincidences happen. But this one, there’s a lot stacked up in June for sure,” said Detective Terrance Prochaska of the Mason City Police Department. 

Another individual who was once scrutinized in the case is John Vansice, a friend of Huisentruit who had spent time with her the night before she disappeared. Like Millerbernd, Vansice has consistently denied any involvement and has never been charged.

While questions remain, the release of the new documentary has reignited public interest and prompted renewed scrutiny into the final hours of Jodi Huisentruit’s life. With new eyes on the case and potential leads being revisited, many are hoping that long-awaited answers may finally be within reach.

Interested viewers who intend to learn more about the cold case can watch the newly released docuseries titled Her Last Broadcast: The Abduction of Jodi Huisentruit on Hulu. The docuseries premiered on July 15, 2025, and has sparked a nationwide discussion into a nearly 30-year-old abduction case that still remains unsolved to this day.

Stay tuned with us for further updates.