Woman Missing Since 1962 Found Alive, Sheriff’s Office Confirms

REEDSBURG, Wis. — A woman who vanished more than 60 years ago has been found alive, according to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office.

Audrey Backeberg, who disappeared at age 20 on July 7, 1962, has been located and confirmed to be living out of state. The sheriff’s office announced her return earlier this week, stating that her disappearance was by her own choice.

Detective Isaac Hanson, who reassessed the cold case earlier this year, explained the investigative process that led to Backeberg’s discovery. He stated that Backeberg’s sister had an account on Ancestry.com, which provided a connection to an address linked to her.

“I called the local sheriff’s department,” Hanson said. “Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes.” The detective indicated that Backeberg was “happy” and “confident” in her decision to leave.

Backeberg was last seen hitchhiking with her babysitter to Madison, Wisconsin, before boarding a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. After her disappearance, her family believed she would never abandon them.

Initial investigations suggested Backeberg’s marriage to Ronald Backeberg was troubled, with allegations of abuse. In the years following her departure, Ronald passed a polygraph exam related to the case.

Sheriff Chip Meister highlighted the significant efforts taken by both past and present investigators in resolving this cold case. He said, “This resolution underscores the dedication of the Sheriff’s Office to providing answers to families.”

While Backeberg’s current living situation remains outside Wisconsin and it is unclear if she plans to reconnect with her family, authorities confirmed she had not experienced any foul play or criminal activity during her time away.