6 INSIDE: For over 3 decades, the murder of Rhonda Knutson has remained unsolved – ABC 6 News
(ABC 6 News) — For 33 years, the unsolved murder of Rhonda Knutson has haunted the city of New Hampton, Iowa.
On Sept. 7, 1992, she was murdered whereas working the in a single day shift at the truck cease off Highway 63 in Chickasaw County.
Rhonda’s siblings nonetheless keep in mind her clearly, even after 3 a long time.
She was the youngest of seven kids, and regardless of a 9-12 months age hole between her and her oldest brother, Robert, the entire household was very shut.
That’s why her murder got here such a shock.
In the late hours of Sept. 6, 1992, Rhonda was clocking in for her in a single day shift as the shops clerk.
Just earlier than 5 in the morning on September 7, the retailer’s proprietor went to alleviate Rhonda from her duties. He discovered her in the again, badly crushed and unresponsive.
His demise was dominated a murder, and no weapon was discovered on the scene.
“She was murdered. That is true. But she was tortured,” Rhonda’s oldest brother, Robert, mentioned. “It was hate, it was not just murder.”
Because it was such a violent crime, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation was referred to as in to help.
“In a small rural county like this, we need all hands on deck,” Chickasaw County Sheriff Ryan Shawver mentioned.
Corn fields and ditches have been searched, proof was taken from the scene, and over 100 hours of interviews have been logged over a number of days, however nothing turned up.
The weapon was by no means recognized or discovered.
“Every vehicle was literally stopped, because At the time where that gas was located was a four way stop,” Shawver mentioned.
The final one who admitted to being in the retailer got here in round 3:15 am, and different witnesses reported seeing two males in the retailer. They have been described as medium top, heavy set, white and between 35 to 45 years previous.
The above composites have been handed put to newspapers, information shops and handed out to locations throughout the space. Shawver mentioned investigators used polygraphs and DNA, however nonetheless have not been capable of finding the one who killed Rhonda.
“They knew what they were doing, and it wasn’t just an in and out thing. It was something that lasted so she went through hell before she died,” Robert mentioned.
Her household waited for solutions, however as months turned to years, nothing got here.
They say they really feel like they have been left in the darkish as to what is going on on of their case.
“I just feel like they should be doing, or could be doing more,” Renae Engel, Ronda’s sister, mentioned.
“I know all cases don’t always get solved, but it would just be nice to have a little bit more updates and contact and know that they’re still looking at the case,” Rochelle Lewis, Rhonda’s sister, mentioned.
The fuel station closed just a few years after Rhonda was murdered, and a memorial was put up in her honor. For the Chickasaw County Sheriff, it is a day by day reminder that justice has not been served.
“We drive by that memorial daily, weekly, and it’s just kind of disheartening that it’s still there and there’s no closure,” Shawver mentioned.
For Rhonda’s siblings, ready for that closure has been extraordinarily painful.
“You just feel helpless. You want to do stuff and you just you can’t,” Rochelle mentioned.
In 2020, a possible lead sparked up.
Clark Perry Baldwin, a former lengthy haul trucker was arrested in Waterloo, Iowa after DNA linked him to the murders of 3 ladies in Tennessee and Wyoming.
He was residing in close by Nashua, Iowa at the time of Rhonda’s murder and investigators believed he might have been the one who killed her.
Investigators reached out to her household, however since that dialog, Rhonda’s household mentioned they have not heard something extra.
Baldwin died in jail in 2025, however Sheriff Shawver says he has not been dominated out.
“He has since passed away. It still doesn’t mean he’s not a suspect,” Shawver mentioned.
In talking with individuals who lived in New Hampton, there isn’t a scarcity of theories as to what occurred to Rhonda.
Some recommend it was somebody with ties to regulation enforcement, however the Shawver informed ABC 6 that particular person had been appeared into and was cleared early on in the investigation.
Other names couldn’t be confirmed as Persons of Interest.
“It was a small community. I don’t know if it was someone that we knew. I don’t know if it was a total stranger. I don’t have any idea. But they talked like it was a crime of hate, so that gave me the impression that the person maybe knew Rhonda,” Rochelle, Rhonda’s sister, mentioned.
Shawver mentioned he has met with chilly case investigators from the Iowa DCI and this case stays a prime precedence for them and for his division. He added investigators are actively testing fingerprints and trying to find new leads on the case.
Rhonda was additionally featured on the Iowa Cold Case Card Deck, an initiative launched by Attorney General Brenna Bird, aimed toward bringing closure to those circumstances.
RELATED: 6 INSIDE: How Iowa is using a deck of cards to put a spotlight on cold cases
Her household remains to be trying to find solutions and combating for justice for his or her little sister.
“I don’t wonder as much who. I wonder more. Why, Why did it happen and why her,” Rochelle mentioned.
If you’ve any data that might assist resolve Rhonda’s case, you’ll be able to submit tricks to the Chickasaw County Sheriff’s Office at ccso@chickasawcounty.iowa.gov or 641-394-3121. You also can submit a tip to the Iowa Cold case unit by clicking here.
