Law Enforcement Searches North Iowa Home in Missing Person Investigation

Law enforcement agencies have searched a north Iowa home as part of a missing person investigation.

In a Facebook post, the Howard County Sheriff’s Office says they, along with the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI), conducted the search of a home at 808 Main Street in Elma on Wednesday. 

The notification from Sheriff’s Investigator Richard Hollenbeck also reads, “The search warrant was conducted in furtherance of an investigation into a missing person. The investigation is ongoing.”

It is not known if the search is connected to the disappearance of Jonathan Esparza, a 30-year-old New Hampton man last seen on October 20th. At that time, authorities believed he was going to visit a friend in Elma.

Esparza’s car was located on November 11.

Earlier this week, Crime Stoppers of North Central Iowa offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to finding Esparza. Anyone with information is asked to call 641-394-3241 or 800-383-0088.