Crime & justice

Missing Wisconsin Mother Found Alive After 60 Years

MAY 5 2025·Updated MAY 6 2025

Story

Above: Marker in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, indicating the exact location of the 90th meridian. Image credit: Karen Desjardin/Contributor/Moment Mobile via Getty Images

The Facts

Audrey Backeberg, who disappeared at age 20 from Reedsburg, Wis., on July 7, 1962, has been found "alive and well" at age 82 living out of state, according to the Sauk County Sheriff's Office, which concluded her disappearance "was by her own choice and not the result of any criminal activity."
BBC News
FOX News
Detective Isaac Hanson solved the case after a comprehensive review of the cold case earlier this year, using Backeberg's sister's online ancestry account to locate death records, census reports, and ultimately an address where Backeberg was living.
ABC News
Daily Mail
According to the Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy, days before her disappearance, Backeberg had filed a criminal complaint against her husband, whom she had married at age 15. She alleged he had beaten her severely and threatened to kill her.
New York Post
BBC News
The family's 14-year-old babysitter told authorities she and Backeberg hitchhiked to Madison before taking a bus to Indianapolis, where she last saw Backeberg walking away from the bus stop. The babysitter later became nervous when questioned by police.
Daily Mail
ABC News
After locating Backeberg, Hanson spoke with her for 45 minutes and later told local news station WISN that she "sounded happy, confident in her decision," and with "no regrets," though he promised to keep their conversation private.
New York Post
CNN
While Backeberg's husband, Ronald, passed a polygraph exam after her disappearance and her family members said she would never have abandoned her children, the sheriff's office has now officially closed the case, stating she left of her own accord.
ABC News
FOX News

Sources Split

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CENTER

RIGHT

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CRIT

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ESTAB

The Spin

Narrative A

Backeberg's 60-year disappearance is likely resolved. Found alive while living out of state, it's clear she left voluntarily, with no foul play. Though her motives remain private, the case appears to be closed, leaving her family with lingering questions but no further police action.

Sauk

Newsweek

Narrative B

There are still many mysterious details for the public to dissect about this case. Particularly regarding her alleged abusive marriage, she was determined to start a new life away from her husband, which she amazingly did despite modern technology and a motivated detective working against her.