In a stunning development to a mystery that spanned more than six decades, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office announced Thursday that Audrey Backeberg — a Wisconsin mother of two who vanished without a trace in 1962 — has been found alive and well, living in another state.
Backeberg was just 20 years old when she disappeared from her home in Reedsburg, Wisconsin, on July 7, 1962. At the time, she lived with her husband, Ronald Backeberg, and their two young children. Her sudden disappearance prompted a yearslong investigation, but despite numerous leads, the case eventually went cold.
Now, more than 60 years later, a renewed push by investigators has yielded an astonishing discovery: Backeberg is alive and reportedly living a peaceful, private life.
“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, the Sheriff’s Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of state,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Authorities have not disclosed her current location, citing privacy concerns. According to officials familiar with the investigation, Backeberg is said to be living a “happy” life and expressed “no regrets” about her decision to leave her family decades ago.
The revelation has left many in the Reedsburg community stunned. While some are relieved to learn that Backeberg is alive, others are grappling with the emotional weight of a long-unsolved mystery that deeply impacted a family and a town.
The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office has not confirmed whether Backeberg will be reconnected with surviving relatives or whether further details of her disappearance will be released. For now, the case that lingered in local memory for generations appears to have reached an unexpected, if bittersweet, conclusion.