Lyon County, Iowa — This past weekend marked a grim anniversary. It has now been 47 years since a body was found near the West Lyon School.
There have been several changes to personnel at the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office since that day in 1978. We talked to current Lyon County Sheriff Brian Hilt, and he gives us the background of the case.
Nissen’s daughter, Krissi Atkisson, has mounted a campaign to find out what happened to her mother — why she was found in that ditch — and who is responsible. Sheriff Hilt, when asked how the investigation was going, said it was hard to quantify, but that it IS going.
He tells us what they’re working on.
Hilt says he doesn’t want to put in place an expectation that DNA will provide a breakthrough in the case, as the ultimate situation would still be someone coming forth with a confession or strong evidence. Nevertheless, technology has been a big help in the case, and could be again.
He says that, realistically, it’s now been 47 years since the body was found, and people involved that long ago are going to be elderly or very nearly elderly by now. But, he says, someone could still come forward with evidence.
Sheriff Hilt says they’re also setting up an email address for tips — coldcase@lyoncountyia.com. He says he’d sure like to have the public’s help. Perhaps, he says, there may be a way to make more evidence available to the public that wouldn’t jeopardize the investigation — which could encourage people to help. They’re looking into that possibility.
He says you can also call the office at 712-472-8300 with any information you might have.
KIWA Staff Photo
