‘No Regrets': Woman Missing For 60 Years Found At 82, Says She Left By Choice
Last Updated:
Audrey vanished in 1962 after a babysitter said they took a bus from Madison to Indianapolis. She was never seen again, until she resurfaced 60 years later at age 82
A woman who vanished 60 years ago has been found alive at the age of 82, leaving her family and authorities stunned. Audrey Backberg, who disappeared from her Wisconsin home in 1962, has resurfaced, claiming she has 'no regrets" about her decision.
Audrey was just 20 years old when she vanished. Her disappearance led to a frantic search by her family and local police, which eventually turned into a 'cold case' due to a lack of leads. However, in early 2024, a breakthrough occurred when Detective Isaac Hanson of the Sauk County Sheriff's Office reopened the investigation. Hanson pored over old documents, re-interviewed witnesses, and combed through digital records in an effort to solve the mystery.
A crucial development came from Audrey's sister's Ancestry.com account, which provided a DNA match. Following this lead, Detective Hanson identified an address and soon confirmed that Audrey was living there under a new identity.
During a 45-minute conversation, Audrey revealed that she had left her previous life willingly and was now living contentedly.
Audrey's disappearance started on a day in 1962 when a babysitter reported giving her a lift to Madison, Wisconsin. From there, they boarded a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. Audrey was never seen again. Her family believed she would never abandon her children, but the babysitter's testimony painted a different picture. Despite extensive searches, the case eventually went cold.
Further investigation revealed Audrey had married Ronald Backberg at around 15 years old and was facing domestic violence and mental torture. Her decision to leave was driven by her unhappiness in the marriage.
Sheriff Chip Master confirmed Audrey's status, stating that her disappearance was voluntary with no criminal activity involved. He remarked, 'This case shows that it's possible to reach justice and truth even in old cases, just dedication and patience are needed."
Audrey's statement of 'No regrets" underlined her satisfaction with the choices she had made. Her reappearance has brought closure to a decades-old mystery, highlighting the enduring hope and perseverance required in cold case investigations.
First Published:
May 06, 2025, 18:32 IST
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Last Updated: Audrey vanished in 1962 after a babysitter said they took a bus from Madison to Indianapolis. She was never seen again, until she resurfaced 60 years later at age 82 A woman who vanished 60 years ago has been found alive at the age of 82, leaving her family and authorities stunned. Audrey Backberg, who disappeared from her Wisconsin home in 1962, has resurfaced, claiming she has 'no regrets" about her decision. Audrey was just 20 years old when she vanished. Her disappearance led to a frantic search by her family and local police, which eventually turned into a 'cold case' due to a lack of leads. However, in early 2024, a breakthrough occurred when Detective Isaac Hanson of the Sauk County Sheriff's Office reopened the investigation. Hanson pored over old documents, re-interviewed witnesses, and combed through digital records in an effort to solve the mystery. A crucial development came from Audrey's sister's account, which provided a DNA match. Following this lead, Detective Hanson identified an address and soon confirmed that Audrey was living there under a new identity. During a 45-minute conversation, Audrey revealed that she had left her previous life willingly and was now living contentedly. Audrey's disappearance started on a day in 1962 when a babysitter reported giving her a lift to Madison, Wisconsin. From there, they boarded a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. Audrey was never seen again. Her family believed she would never abandon her children, but the babysitter's testimony painted a different picture. Despite extensive searches, the case eventually went cold. Further investigation revealed Audrey had married Ronald Backberg at around 15 years old and was facing domestic violence and mental torture. Her decision to leave was driven by her unhappiness in the marriage. Sheriff Chip Master confirmed Audrey's status, stating that her disappearance was voluntary with no criminal activity involved. He remarked, 'This case shows that it's possible to reach justice and truth even in old cases, just dedication and patience are needed." Audrey's statement of 'No regrets" underlined her satisfaction with the choices she had made. Her reappearance has brought closure to a decades-old mystery, highlighting the enduring hope and perseverance required in cold case investigations. First Published: May 06, 2025, 18:32 IST
