The homicide of Micalla A. Rettinger remains one of Waterloo’s most tragic and disturbing unsolved cases. Rettinger, a 25-year-old former University of Northern Iowa softball standout, was killed in the early morning hours of Sunday, April 28, 2019, while traveling southbound on U.S. Highway 218 in Waterloo, Iowa, near the Brinker Lake and Cedar River bridges in Black Hawk County.
According to investigators, a single bullet pierced the driver’s side window of the vehicle Rettinger was driving, striking her in the neck. The same bullet then hit her boyfriend, 32-year-old Adam Kimball, in the face. A second passenger and the couple’s dog, King, were seated in the back of the vehicle and were not injured. The shooting caused the vehicle to leave the roadway, coming to rest on the Greenhill off-ramp.
Waterloo Police initially responded to the scene after receiving a report of a possible motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, officers discovered the vehicle and quickly determined that a gunshot was involved. Micalla Rettinger was pronounced dead at the scene. Kimball was transported to Allen Hospital and later transferred to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, where the bullet was surgically removed from his face.
Investigators believe the shot may have originated from the area near the Cedar River. Police have specifically asked for information from anyone who may have been shooting or hunting in the vicinity between the U.S. Highway 218 bridge and the Conger Avenue bridge around the time of the incident. Despite extensive investigation, no arrests have been made, and the case remains unsolved.
In an effort to generate new leads, Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers, along with private donors and the Waterloo Police Department, are offering a reward totaling $58,000 for information that leads to an arrest. Authorities stress that even small details could prove critical in solving the case.
Micalla Rettinger, known affectionately as “KK,” was remembered by family and friends as a bright, compassionate, and driven young woman. She excelled academically and athletically, earning honors as a UNI Panthers softball player while graduating with a biology degree. She was pursuing her dream of becoming a dentist and was deeply loved for her kindness, work ethic, and passion for animals.
To honor her legacy, the University of Northern Iowa established a scholarship fund in her name. Her family has also encouraged continued support for Crime Stoppers and animal welfare organizations in lieu of flowers.
Information Needed
Anyone with information related to Micalla Rettinger’s homicide is urged to contact the Waterloo Police Investigations Division at (319) 291-4340, ext. 7, or Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers at 855-300-TIPS (8477). Tips can be submitted anonymously by texting CEDAR followed by the tip to 274637 (CRIMES) or online at cvcrimestop.com.
