A Wisconsin woman who disappeared in 1962 has been found alive and well at age 82, solving a six-decade mystery that authorities now confirm was a case of voluntary departure rather than foul play.
Quick Takes
- Audrey Backeberg, who vanished at age 20 in 1962, has been located alive at 82 years old living outside Wisconsin
- The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed her disappearance was “by her own choice” with no criminal activity involved
- Audrey was married at approximately 15 years old in a relationship reportedly marked by abuse
- Authorities used Ancestry.com to track down Backeberg after reopening the cold case earlier this year
- Despite finding her alive and well, officials are respecting Backeberg’s privacy regarding her reasons for leaving
A 60-Year Mystery Solved
After more than six decades of questions and speculation, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office in Wisconsin has finally closed the case of Audrey Backeberg, who disappeared in July 1962. The young mother of two, who was just 20 years old when she vanished, has been found alive and well at age 82, living in another state. The discovery brings closure to one of Wisconsin’s longest-standing missing person cases and reveals that what many feared was a tragedy was actually a deliberate choice.
“The Sheriff’s Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of State,” the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office said in a media release. “Further investigation has revealed that Ms. Backeberg’s disappearance was by her own choice and not the result of any criminal activity or foul play.”
Audrey Backeberg's loved ones have finally located their missing relative after a decades-old mystery solved by the Sauk County Sheriff's Office. https://t.co/VkcyLZct1P
— News 3 Now / Channel 3000 (@WISCTV_News3) May 2, 2025
The Day She Disappeared
The events of July 7, 1962, have puzzled investigators for decades. According to reports, Audrey left her Reedsburg home, supposedly to collect her salary. She was accompanied by a babysitter, and the two hitchhiked to Madison, Wisconsin, before boarding a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. The babysitter would later become the last person to see Audrey, reportedly watching her walk away from the Indianapolis bus stop, never to return to her former life.
“The babysitter stated Audrey chose to leave of her own accord and said she would not return, but Audrey’s family members insisted she would never have abandoned her children,” The Charley Project said, adding that “Ronald passed a polygraph exam conducted after Audrey’s disappearance.”
At the time, Ronald Backeberg, Audrey’s husband, searched for his missing wife and cooperated with authorities, even passing a polygraph test. The case gradually went cold, leaving unanswered questions about what happened to the young mother. While the babysitter maintained Audrey had chosen to leave voluntarily, her family found it difficult to believe she would abandon her children without a trace.
Modern Technology Solves a Decades-Old Mystery
The breakthrough in the case came earlier this year when the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office reopened the investigation. Detective Isaac Hanson utilized modern genealogical resources, particularly Ancestry.com, to track down leads. The DNA technology and self-submit websites that have helped solve numerous cold cases across the country proved valuable in locating Audrey after connecting her sister to an address.
“That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,” Detective Isaac Hanson.
When authorities located Audrey, she was willing to speak with investigators. “So, I called the local sheriff’s department, said ‘Hey, there’s this lady living at this address. Do you guys have somebody, you can just go pop in?’ … Ten minutes later, she called me, and we talked for 45 minutes,” Detective Isaac Hanson.
The Circumstances Behind Her Departure
While the complete details of why Audrey chose to leave her life behind remain private, investigators have revealed some context around her departure. Records indicate she was married to Ronald Backeberg at approximately 15 years old, and their marriage was reportedly troubled with allegations of abuse. These circumstances may have contributed to her decision to start a new life elsewhere, though authorities are respecting her privacy.
“I told Audrey I’d keep it private. She had her reasons for leaving,” Detective Isaac Hanson.
Detective Hanson did share some insights about Audrey’s current state of mind and her reflections on her decision. “I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and led her life. She sounded happy. Confident in her decision. No regrets,” Detective Isaac Hanson.
A Reminder That Not All Missing Persons Are Victims
Audrey Backeberg’s case stands as a reminder that not all missing person cases end in tragedy. In some instances, individuals make the conscious decision to leave their lives behind and start anew. While many questions still surround Audrey’s specific circumstances and whether she will reconnect with her family, authorities have granted her the privacy she has maintained for over six decades.
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office has emphasized the importance of continuing to work on cold cases, as modern technology and investigative techniques can bring resolution to families who have waited decades for answers. In Audrey’s case, the answer was unexpected but brings a measure of peace to a long-standing mystery in Wisconsin’s history.
