Criminology Podcast Episode 353 — The Case of Wilma June Nissen
Hosts: Mike Ferguson & Mike Morford
Release Date: April 6, 2025
Overview
This episode of Criminology dives deep into the tragic, multilayered cold case of Wilma June Nissen—a woman whose body was found in a ditch in Iowa in 1978 and remained unidentified for decades. The hosts are joined by Wilma’s biological daughter, Chrissy, who provides personal insight into Wilma’s tumultuous life, the investigation, and the search for justice. The episode explores Wilma’s abusive childhood, her life in and out of foster care, the challenges she faced as an adult, law enforcement missteps, and ongoing obstacles in solving her murder.
Key Themes
- Systemic neglect and the long-term trauma of abusive childhoods
- The challenges of identification in cold cases before modern forensics
- Sex work, vulnerability, and social stigma
- Family members’ pursuit of truth and closure
- Stalled investigations, missed opportunities, and the hope for modern DNA solutions
Episode Breakdown
Wilma’s Early Life: Abuse, Neglect, and the Foster System
[02:50–08:23]
- Wilma endured severe neglect: mother left at age 8; father abusive, left Wilma and her disabled sister locked in closets or cars.
- Chrissy recounts, “Her father would lock them in a closet when he went to work...he would lock the disabled sister in the trunk and Wilma would have to go out and scrounge for food.” (Chrissy, 05:39)
- Both girls placed in foster care but separated—Wilma’s first loving family was the Holties, who taught her to read and provided a sense of safety.
- Despite brief stability, Wilma was shifted between homes due to foster parents’ health.
Adulthood: Searching for Stability, Caught in Chaos
[08:23–13:53]
- Wilma aged out of foster care; Chrissy describes her mother as “kind of a free spirit...if someone showed her love she would just go for it.” (Chrissy, 09:20)
- Entered a series of rocky relationships, marriages, and pregnancies—some children also placed in foster care.
- Became involved in sex work, sometimes controlled by her partners. “There is no doubt he [Don Wellington] was pimping Wilma out.” (Former Sheriff Blomandall, 32:15)
The Crime: Unidentified Woman, Grim Discovery
[13:53–17:20]
- October 4, 1978: Wilma’s body found in a ditch near Rock Rapids, Iowa. Advanced decomposition, minimal clothing, rope around the ankles.
- “Her green khaki pants and red, white and blue bikini style underwear were wrapped around her left leg...her hands are forward and her hair is forward.” (Mike Morford & Ferguson, 14:44–15:32)
- Autopsy revealed skull fracture, dislocated vertebra and elbow, extensive injuries likely from a struggle.
The Investigation: Gaps and Delays
[17:20–22:32]
- Unidentified for 28 years; only two usable fingerprints and no jaw or dental records.
- Authorities went to great lengths, using all forensics available in 1978, but with no ID or missing persons report, leads ran dry.
- Missteps: Wilma’s fingerprints had been in a federal database since a 1973 arrest. Only after re-testing in 2006 did a match confirm her identity.
- Chrissy describes the heartbreak: “I was never mad at her for giving me up...I just wanted to meet her. And I feel like if she hadn’t been murdered, I would have had that chance.” (Chrissy, 22:32, 24:24)
Aftermath: Piecing Together Wilma’s Life
[25:06–36:36]
- Wilma was born in San Francisco, 1954. Suffered severe deprivation as a child, bios painted by her daughter and foster families.
- In foster care, she thrived academically and emotionally, but frequent moves and instability followed.
- Drifts into sex work; arrests in various California cities; attempts to connect or settle with different partners, some equally troubled.
- Wilma’s adult life marked by instability—multiple partners, premature children, failed attempts at stability.
Breaks in the Case: Investigative Efforts & Suspects
[36:36–40:30]
- Police pursue leads: exhumation of body in 2007 for new DNA (hampered by water damage, but body well-preserved).
- Notable suspect: John Van Gammeren arrested for perjury related to investigation but charges dropped after new undisclosed evidence.
Person(s) of Interest: “Sugar” and “Peaches”
[40:30–44:33]
- In 2016, law enforcement identifies “Sugar” (a sex worker and thief, known for robbing escorts and clients) and potential accomplice “Peaches.”
- “Sugar reportedly failed every polygraph...and fled to Canada, where she later stabbed someone and went on the run.” (Mike Morford, 41:23)
- Both women worked at the same agency as Wilma; theory is Wilma was killed over a robbery, possibly at a party.
Challenges for Law Enforcement
[43:06–46:23]
- Reluctance of witnesses to come forward, either due to shame, fear of exposure, or fading memories.
- DNA evidence from the rope and clothing exists (“touch DNA”) but is yet inconclusive—does not match “Sugar” but could belong to an accomplice.
Chrissy’s Perspective: Advocacy and Frustration
[46:33–51:14]
-
Chrissy describes obstacles in interacting with law enforcement:
- “I want the same thing as law enforcement does. I want this case to be solved...but they won’t contact me.” (46:33)
- Frustration with slow adoption of new DNA techniques and lack of transparency.
- Doubts about how seriously tips are followed.
-
“There is no one else left to fight for her...It’s my mission, it’s my life’s mission at this point. It is. I’m not giving up.” (Chrissy, 49:31)
-
Chrissy encourages anyone, no matter how trivial their connection, to reach out (Reddit: u/TwitchHH, email: justiceforwilmaol@gmail.com).
Case Reflections and The Road Forward
[51:14–end]
- Hosts highlight the enduring tragedy: Wilma’s identification was delayed by a basic oversight; vital investigation years lost.
- Strong evidence points to her murder being related to sex work and interpersonal betrayals.
- “It seems like she was always trying to find herself and find her way, and it seems like that never happened...very sad.” (Mike Morford, 55:05)
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- On Abuse:
- “He would lock the disabled sister in the trunk and Wilma would have to go out and scrounge for food.” (Chrissy, 05:39)
- On Foster Care:
- “They taught her how to read, they taught her how to write...She never got to be a kid. She was homeless by the time she was 10 years old.” (Chrissy, 04:54, 07:38)
- On the Crime Scene:
- “A rope had been tied around her ankles...used to drag her body into the ditch after she was killed.” (Mike Ferguson, 14:44)
- On Missed Opportunities:
- “The information was there. It just wasn’t in an Iowa database. And authorities thought that it had been run nationally and apparently it hadn’t been.” (Mike Ferguson, 23:53)
- On Persistence:
- “No one should have to not know what happened to their loved ones. But her life was so just awful...I can’t give up on her case.” (Chrissy, 47:32, 49:31)
- On The Ongoing Investigation:
- “The people in the western half of our county got very defensive when we first approached them about these parties.” (Chief Deputy Burkey, 42:07)
- “There’s a very high probability that there’s a Lyon county resident that knows what happened or saw what happened, even though they didn’t have any involvement in it.” (Chief Deputy Burkey, 45:37)
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Wilma’s Early Life & Family Trauma: 02:50–08:23
- Transition to Adulthood & Sex Work: 08:23–13:53
- Discovery of the Body & Crime Scene: 13:53–17:20
- Investigative Missteps & Identification: 17:20–22:32
- Wilma’s Timeline: Reconstruction of Her Life: 25:06–36:36
- Exhumation, Suspects, and Leads: 36:36–44:33
- Current Theories & DNA Evidence: 44:33–45:37
- Chrissy’s Advocacy & Frustrations: 46:33–51:14
- Case Summary and Reflections: 51:14–end
Key Takeaways
- Wilma’s life was shaped by relentless trauma, instability, and lack of meaningful support—fatefully intersecting with societal neglect and the perils of sex work.
- The identification of Wilma’s remains was delayed for nearly three decades due to a procedural oversight—reminder of the importance of cross-jurisdictional diligence in cold cases.
- Despite new forensic technology, the case remains unsolved, but potential leads exist tied to the local sex work community in the late 1970s.
- Her daughter Chrissy is a passionate advocate, seeking any information and pushing for law enforcement transparency and action.
Contact Information
- Lyon County Sheriff’s Office: 712-472-8300
- Anonymous Tip Line: 712-472-8334
- Chrissy (Wilma’s daughter):
- Reddit: u/TwitchHH, r/WilmaJuneNissen
- Email: justiceforwilmaol@gmail.com
- Instagram, X/Twitter: @wilmajunenissen
This episode is a haunting exploration of a forgotten victim, the power of perseverance, and the hope that one day, justice for Wilma June Nissen will be served.