Justice for Jodi

Jodi Leann Sanderholm

by Eyewitness News Team

Body Positively Identified as Jodi Sanderholm

Authorities have confirmed that the body found in rural southeast Cowly County is that of Jodi Sanderholm. That confirmed through DNA tests today.

The autopsy is complete, but the results have been sealed by the court. Sanderholm's death has been ruled a homicide.

The body will be released to the family for burial Tuesday.

2nd Protection Order Filed:
For the second time in a week, a protection from stalking order has been issued in Cowley County against the man police questioned over Jodi Sanderholm's disappearance. The 23-year-old man was arrested early Sunday morning on unrelated charges.

A Sumner County woman filed the protection order Thursday. Part of that protection order says last week, the man "left a rose on my car at work. He drives by my work very frequently and text messages me 15 times in a two-hour period."

Lake Reopened:
Authorities have reopened up the Cowley State Fishing Lake where Sanderholm's car was found on Tuesday. After being rolled down a boat dock, the car sank about 100 feet from the shore. The site near the Kansas-Oklahoma border where a woman's body was found is still shut off to the public.

The Latest:
The Arkansas City Police Department has asked Kansas Attorney General Paul Morrison to help in the event a prosecution occurs in the Sanderholm case. Morrison has agreed to assist.

The body was scheduled for a two-day autopsy in Wichita starting Wednesday. Authorities have still not officially or publicly identified the body as Sanderholm, but her family has started making funeral arrangements.

Memorial Planned:
A memorial service for Jodi is set for next week. It's scheduled for 11:00am on Tuesday, January 16th at W.S. Scott Auditorium on the Cowley County College campus. According to the school's website, the Ark City campus will be closed from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm on Tuesday in memory of Jodi.

Body Found:
Arkansas City police tell Eyewitness News that a female body was discovered in a rural area of Cowley County Tuesday morning. Police are not saying the body is that of missing 19-year-old Jodi Sanderholm. Instead, they are waiting forensic confirmation before saying any more. Our reporters spoke this evening with Jodi's dad however, and he believes the female body is believed to be his daughter. He said he now has a sense of peace.

Police say they are working with the County of Cowley County Attorney's office to file charges against what they are calling 'a known suspect.' The exact charges -- we are told -- will be released at a later date.

A Connection:
Eyewitness News learned today of a connection between Sanderholm and a man taken into custody over the weekend on unrelated charges. We confirmed that the man worked at the same Subway restaurant, where Jodi was last seen Friday. The man remains in custody.

Acting Chief Shaun Wallace confirmed last night on FOX News On the Record with Greta Van Susteren, that the man arrested last weekend had been questioned in connection with the disappearance of Jodi. When pressed by Van Susteren, Wallace said they questioned him because of reports they had heard that Sanderholm's dance team had concerns about the man and some were afraid of him.

Jodi's Car:
Earlier this afternoon, authorities pulled Jodi's 2003 Dodge Stratus out of a nearby lake. They drove away with it on a flatbed truck, to process it for evidence.

The Dodge Stratus had been a focal part of the investigation as authorities pleaded for residents to be on the lookout for the vehicle, last seen driven by Jodi Sanderholm last Friday.

Memorial Fund:
A fund has been established at Union State Bank to benefit Jodi Sanderholm's family. The Sanderholm Family Fund was established to provide financial support to the family in their time of need.

If you would like to contribute to the fund, please visit any Union State Bank location, or mail your check to:

Sanderholm Family Fund
Care of Union State Bank
127 South Summit
Arkansas City KS 67005

For more information on the fund, contact Mike Munson at 442-7800 or Union State Bank at 442-5200.

Eyewitness News will continue to bring you the very latest on this case, look for updates both here at kwch.com and tonight Eyewitness Newscasts.