Listen to a summary:
Authorities in Henry County are still searching for answers in the death of a 29-year-old woman whose body was discovered in a rural farm field west of Wayland in early August 2019. The woman, who had been reported missing a week earlier, was found on Friday, August 9, by a farmhand who came across the remains while checking livestock and fence lines near the 1200 block of Iowa Highway 78.
Investigators later confirmed the body to be that of a young mother of four who had last been seen on August 2. She had been staying with friends near Mount Pleasant at the time she disappeared. According to law enforcement, she was located just a few feet behind a fence on private property. Officials noted early on that there were no immediate signs that the public was at risk, though the circumstances surrounding her death were unusual enough to prompt a full investigation.
The Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office ultimately ruled the cause of death as undetermined. An autopsy provided few concrete answers, and investigators stated that additional toxicology testing was being conducted. The lack of clear findings has complicated efforts to explain what happened in the days leading up to her death. DCI Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn described the case as suspicious, noting that both his agency and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office have been steadily collecting information and interviewing those who may have relevant details.
Family members publicly shared their anguish in the days following the discovery. The woman’s mother, who had initially posted online seeking help to find her missing daughter, later announced the heartbreaking news of her death and reflected on her daughter’s personality, creativity, and devotion to her four young children. Loved ones described her as artistic and imaginative, with a fondness for bright colors, crafts, and personal expression.
A memorial service was held on August 18, 2019, in Oxford Junction. She is remembered by her parents, children, siblings, and extended family.
The investigation into her death remains open. Anyone with information that could assist law enforcement is urged to contact the Henry County Sheriff’s Office at (319) 385-2712 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (563) 284-9506.
