Iowa : Wilma Nissen

After a much-needed post-conference break, we’re back with a story that deeply moved us—and reminded us why we do this work. In this episode of Navigating Advocacy, we share the tragic and largely untold story of Wilma June Nissen, a woman who remained a Jane Doe for nearly 30 years after her brutal murder in rural Iowa.

Wilma’s life was marked by profound hardship—abandonment, abuse, and an unforgiving foster care system that failed her at every turn. Yet even in the face of unthinkable trauma, she showed resilience. Her daughter Krissi, who we met at Advocacy Con, is now on a mission to uncover the truth and find justice for the mother she never got to know.

We walk through Wilma’s early life, her disappearance in 1978, and the decades-long mystery that followed. With powerful insight from Krissi, we explore the barriers to solving this case, including degraded DNA evidence, gaps in the timeline, and a list of suspects still under scrutiny.

Wilma deserves justice. Her name deserves to be remembered.

➡️ Anonymous Tip Line: If you know anything about Wilma’s case, please call 712-472-8334.

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➡️ Have a case we should know about? Email us at: [e-mail]