The Wayne County Sheriff’s Office continues to seek information regarding the disappearance of Crystal Sue Hunt, who was reported missing on February 24, 1998, from Corydon, Iowa. Crystal was 21 years old, recently celebrated her birthday, and was five and a half months pregnant at the time she vanished.
Crystal was last known to be leaving her parents’ home in Centerville, Iowa, with her boyfriend on the day she went missing. According to the boyfriend, the two argued, and Crystal exited the vehicle. She has not been seen or heard from since.
At the time of her disappearance, Crystal was described as 5’9″ tall, weighing 140–142 pounds, with blonde hair and blue eyes. She walked with a slight limp and had several distinctive scars, including one extending from her left ankle to below the knee, another running from her wrist to her elbow, a scar under her chin, three small scar marks on each side of her pelvic area, and a scar on her right shoulder. She was last observed wearing a white T-shirt, a white sweatshirt, black-and-white checked stirrup pants, and Nike shoes with blue accents.
Despite early efforts—including a reward offered by the Wayne County Coalition Against Domestic Violence in the months following her disappearance—no confirmed sightings or significant leads have surfaced. Members of Crystal’s family worked tirelessly to keep her case in the public eye, urging continued investigation and attention.
Crystal’s case was later included among those reviewed by the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Cold Case Unit when it was created in 2009. Although the unit’s federal funding ended in 2011, the DCI has continued to evaluate cold cases as new technology and investigative resources become available. A DNA sample connected to the case has been processed.
Authorities remain committed to uncovering the truth behind Crystal’s disappearance and bringing closure to her family.
Anyone with information—no matter how small— is asked to contact the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 872-1566.
