Reedsburg woman missing since 1962 located alive

1 min read

Reedsburg woman missing since 1962 located alive

At the time of her disappearance, she was 20 years old and living in Reedsburg.

May 5, 2025, 2:13 AM CT

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SAUK COUNTY, Wis (Civic Media) – The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office has announced the resolution of a decades-old missing person’s case.

The case involves Audrey Backeberg, who disappeared in July 1962.

At the time of her disappearance, she was 20 years old and living in Reedsburg. Over the years, investigators pursued numerous leads in an effort to determine Audrey’s whereabouts. Despite these efforts, the case eventually went cold.

The case revisited.

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. After thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence, combined with a re-interviewing of witnesses and the discovery of new insights, 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 her own choice and not the result of any criminal activity or foul play.

The Sheriff’s Office would like to acknowledge the work of all the investigators who contributed to the case.  Despite the significant challenges that many cold cases present, this resolution underscores both the importance of continued work and the dedication of the Sheriff’s Office to providing answers to families and the community.

Audrey Backeberg pictured in an undated file photo, courtesy of the BBC

Jo Ann Krulatz

Jo Ann Krulatz is Senior Radio Journalist and News Director at WRCO and WRCE in Richland Center. Email her at [email protected].


Adam Hess

Adam Hess has been involved in radio broadcasting since 1990, with many of those years spent on the air at WRCO FM in Richland Center. Currently, Adam hosts the Weekend Wake-up and Prime Mover Saturdays on WRCO FM, jumps in and helps out with news duties, handles Social Media duties for WRCO and WRCE, and is the Director of Technology at a Southwest Wisconsin School District. Reach him at [email protected].

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