In an unexpected turn of events involving modern DNA technology, Audrey Backeberg, who vanished in 1962 from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, has been found alive and well, rekindling debates over her mysterious disappearance.
See the tweet below!
Audrey Backeberg disappeared at the young age of 20 while en route to pick up her salary from a local woolen mill.
She was last seen heading to Madison, Wisconsin, and later reported traveling to Indianapolis, Indiana.
At the time of her disappearance, Backeberg had already experienced a lifetime’s worth of challenges, having married young at 15 and subsequently trapped in a troubled marriage.
Allegations of abuse and a filed criminal complaint cast dark shadows over her relationship, prompting whispers that still echo today.
The case initially cooled as leads dried up, but earlier this year, a detailed review by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office breathed new life into the investigation.
Detective Isaac Hanson embraced the challenge by reassessing old case files, re-interviewing potential witnesses, and utilizing Ancestry.com’s vast records.
“That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,” said Detective Hanson, highlighting the breakthrough that helped trace Backeberg’s life to her current whereabouts.
Key to this discovery was a DNA match from Backeberg’s sister, who uploaded her information to Ancestry.com, unknowingly setting the stage for this historic reunion.
Thanks to this match, Ms. Backeberg was located outside of Wisconsin and has chosen to keep the details of her life private.
The happy outcome underscores the potential for more cold cases to solve with persistence and advanced technology.
“Earlier this year, the case was assigned to a Sheriff’s Office Detective for a comprehensive review as part of an ongoing examination of cold case files. Through diligent investigative work, which included a thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence, combined with re-interviewing witnesses and uncovering new insights,” explained the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office.
“The Sheriff’s Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of State. 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,” it said further.
Despite the unresolved aspects of her decision to disappear, Detective Hanson verified the authenticity of their connection during a 45-minute phone conversation with Ms. Backeberg, confirming that she is happy and confident in her choices, echoing her sentiment of having no regrets.
The discovery has brought immense relief to the local community, as well as lessons on resilience and independence.
There’s no certainty about whether Ms. Backeberg plans to reconnect with her family.
However, the success of this investigation offers hope to many families who continue to search for missing loved ones.
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office reiterated the importance of unwavering dedication to investigating cold cases, signaling a commitment to bringing more stories to a similar closure.
𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐦 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐒𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝟏𝟗𝟔𝟐 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 '𝐀𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐥' 𝐀𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟔𝟐 𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬, 𝐒𝐚𝐲 𝐏𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐞
Audrey Backeberg, who vanished after leaving for work in Reedsburg, was recently located out of state—authorities say she chose to… pic.twitter.com/tys1as62Gh— NewYork-i (@Newyork__i) May 4, 2025
