In the early morning hours of April 28, 2019, a tragedy unfolded on a stretch of U.S. Highway 218 in Waterloo, Iowa, that would leave a community heartbroken and searching for answers. Micalla Rettinger, a 25-year-old White/Caucasian woman, was driving her Jeep southbound, crossing the bridge over the Cedar River near George Wyth State Park. It was around 2:30 a.m., and she was returning from her job, accompanied by her boyfriend, Adam Kimball, in the passenger seat, another friend, and their
dog in the back.
Without warning, the journey home was violently interrupted. A single bullet pierced the driver's side window, striking Micalla in the neck. The bullet then continued, hitting her boyfriend in the face. Despite her fatal injury, Micalla managed to pull the vehicle over to the side of the road on an off-ramp before she succumbed to her wound at the scene. Her boyfriend was subsequently transported to a hospital for treatment of his injuries and survived. The second passenger and the dog were unharmed.
The Waterloo Police Department responded to what was initially reported as a possible motor vehicle accident. Upon arrival, they discovered the true nature of the incident. The investigation into Micalla's death commenced immediately, with authorities working to piece together the events that led to the shooting. Investigators have considered various possibilities, including the theory that it may have been a tragic hunting accident, given the wooded area surrounding the highway. However, no conclusive evidence has emerged to support any specific scenario. Police have indicated they have an idea of the caliber of the firearm involved but have not publicly released that information.
In the years since Micalla Rettinger's death, the case has remained unsolved, with no arrests made and no suspects publicly identified. Law enforcement agencies, including state and federal authorities, have been involved in the ongoing investigation. A substantial reward has been offered by Cedar Valley Crime Stoppers for any information that could lead to a breakthrough in the case. The community continues to mourn the loss of the former University of Northern Iowa softball player, remembering her as a vibrant and beloved individual whose life was cut short in a senseless act of violence that remains a mystery.
