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August 25, 2025 21 mins

In the early morning hours of July 4, 2001, Crystal Arensdorf vanished after being out at a bar in Dubuque, Iowa with friends. After countless searches, interviews, and months of investigating, there was no sign of the 20-year-old. In fact, no one ever saw Crystal leave the bar at all. 

In this episode, we go over what we know of her movements before she disappeared, some of the known individuals investigated and ruled out, and talk about some theories of what might have happened to her. 

Anyone with information about this case is urged to contact Inv Dave Randall at 563-589-4429 (drandall@cityofdubuque.org) or Inv Nick Schlosser at 563-587-3813 (nschloss@cityofdubuque.org)

SOURCES:

  • Hinge, Allie, 20 years missing: Dubuque woman’s family, investigators still hoping for closure, July 4, 2021, The Telegraph Herald
  • Miller, Mike, Arrested man ‘of interest’ in disappearance, February 11, 2005, The Capital Times
  • Brothers questioned about missing woman, April 18, 2002, The Gazette
  • Missing woman reward offered, July 11, 2001, The Daily Nonpareil
  • “The case is very active”: Investigators on Crystal Arensdorf case ask people to “not lose hope” as 20-year anniversary approaches, July 2, 2021
  • Reward offered for missing woman, July 11, 2011, The Des Moines Register
  • $10,000 reward offered in case of missing woman, July 5, 2011, The Courier
  • Iowa bartender pleads guilty, May 21, 2002, The Daily Nonpareil
  • Alcohol charge involves missing Dubuque woman, May 20, 2002, The Gazette
  • Man gave alcohol to missing woman, May 20, 2002, The Des Moines Register
  • Missing woman’s family holding onto some hope, December 12, 2001, The Gazette
  • Search continues for missing woman, September 3, 2001, The Daily Nonpareil
  • Missing woman planned trip, July 11, 2001, The Gazette
  • https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/crystal-arensdorf/
  • https://uncovered.com/cases/crystal-arensdorf
  • https://www.cityofdubuque.org/1535/Cold-Cases


Support the show

If you have any information on any of the cold cases covered, you can submit a tip here:

https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/for-crime-victims/iowa-cold-case/cold-case-tip-form

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