Case of 1990 disappearance reopened in Wabasha
Published 10:29 pm Thursday, July 3, 2014
WABASHA — The police chief in Wabasha has reopened the case of a 25-year-old woman who disappeared in 1990, and he’s started a cold case unit to help find her.
Chief Jim Warren is putting new effort into finding Donna Ingersoll, who was last seen leaving her Wabasha apartment on Dec. 16, 1990. Police reports from the time say she had no money or coat when she was reported missing, and she had argued with her boyfriend that day.
Warren said he decided to start his cold case project four months ago, and enlisted the help of others in the police and sheriff’s departments. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has also been brought in to help.
“It’s to shed some light on the case that needs it,” Warren said.
Ingersoll’s sister, Sharon Ziemer of Hammond, said her family agreed to reopening the case because they need answers. Wabasha County Sheriff Rodney Bartsh also welcomed Warren’s effort.
“It would have been easy for him to sit back and let it sit on his desk,” Bartsh said. “The family deserves closure, the community deserves closure and law enforcement deserves closure.”
Warren said he wants to get people double-checking things and thinking about different leads. Warren, Bartsh and former police Chief Dave Kruger said they believe someone knows something.
“We do want to rattle some cages,” Warren said.
He said it’s also possible that advances in technology will help.
“It’s the needle in the haystack. But to me, not trying is worse than trying,” Warren said.