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Fox News
5 days ago
- Fox News
Alleged Devil's Den killer investigated in multiple unsolved murders across US that have one thing in common
The man accused of killing a married couple while they were on a hiking trip with their kids in Arkansas July 26 is being looked at for possible involvement in other murders. Arkansas State Police allege Andrew James McGann killed Cristen Amanda Brink, 41, and Clinton David Brink, 43, while the couple was taking their children hiking at Devil's Den State Park in Washington County, Arkansas. McGann is due in court Thursday morning to be arraigned on capital murder charges. Col. Mike Hagar, Arkansas State Police director, said McGann confessed to the killings, adding they were stabbed to death in a "completely random event." "We have no reason to believe there was any known association between our suspect and our victims," Hagar said. "During an interview with investigators, the suspect admitted to committing the murders. We also executed a search warrant at his residence and recovered items consistent with the crime." Hagar said DNA was used to link McGann to the couple's death. McGann, who has held several schoolteacher positions in the Southeast over several years, is also being looked at for possible involvement in the murders of people in Vermont and Wisconsin. A detective from the Sauk County Sheriff's Office in Wisconsin told Fox News Digital his agency has received tips regarding a "possible connection" between the July 26 incident and a separate Oct. 14, 2020, incident in Devil's Lake State Park, where John Craig Schmutzer was stabbed while hiking on the Grottos Trail. The detective said police are trying to determine if there's any link between McGann and the death of Schmutzer. "We've received many tips, both from citizens in Arkansas and Wisconsin, regarding the Devil's Den Homicide and the possible connection to our homicide from October 2020," Det. Sgt. Drew Bulin told Fox News Digital. "We've been in contact with Arkansas investigators and will be working to determine if the similarities are a coincidence or if there is something more." According to ABC 7 News, McGann grew up in Chicago's Garfield Ridge neighborhood, which is about three hours from Devil's Lake State Park. The Sauk County Sheriff's Office said Schmutzer's killer was roughly 6 feet tall with a "slender to average build." Jail records from Washington County, Arkansas, indicate McGann is 6 feet tall. The Vermont State Police said in an Aug. 7 press release that detectives reached out to law enforcement in Arkansas to discuss the death of Honoree Fleming, whose body was found on the Delaware and Hudson Rail Trail in Castleton. "After the Vermont State Police learned of the recent double homicide of a couple on a hiking trail in Arkansas and the arrest of a suspect, VSP detectives took the routine step of contacting their counterparts in Arkansas to discuss the case," the Vermont State Police wrote. "At this time, there is no known link between the suspect in that case and the Honoree Fleming homicide, or to Vermont in general." Shane Wilkinson, a criminal defense attorney and former chief deputy prosecutor of Benton County, Arkansas, told Fox News Digital he thinks law enforcement agencies with unsolved hiking murders are likely taking a look at McGann. "I think anybody that has an unsolved hiking trail murder, they're probably taking note of this right now," Wilkinson said. Former homicide Det. Ted Williams told Fox News Digital McGann's alleged murder has "raised a great deal of red flags all over the country." "I would have to believe not only are law enforcement in Wisconsin and Vermont interested in McGann. But they also interested him all over this country because of the manner in which he was alleged to have stabbed this couple to death," Williams said. "And the manner in which he stabbed this couple there in Devil's Den State Park would lead any law enforcement agency that has a similar situation, where someone has been stabbed to death, to definitely wanna look into Andrew McGann."
Yahoo
07-05-2025
- Yahoo
Ongoing investigation into distribution of cocaine in Wisconsin leads to 3 search warrants, 1 arrest
PRAIRIE DU SAC, Wis. (WFRV) – As part of an ongoing drug investigation in southern Wisconsin, multiple search warrants were conducted, including at a business, a residence, and a storage unit complex that led to one arrest and the seizure of over 300 grams of cocaine. On April 14, deputies with the Sauk County Sheriff's Office and the Sauk County Drug Task Force conducted three different search warrants in Prairie du Sac as part of an ongoing investigation involving the distribution of cocaine and other drugs. Wisconsin woman arrested for alleged threats towards Waupun prison employees The search warrants were reportedly at a business on 15th Street, a residence on 21st Street, and a storage unit complex on North Street. During the searches, deputies say that over 300 grams of cocaine, drug paraphernalia, firearms, THC products, and cash were seized. It was also noted that a 41-year-old from Prairie du Sac was arrested. Joseph Moran was taken into custody with the following charges being referred to the District Attorney's Office: Possession with intent to deliver cocaine > 40 grams Possession with intent to deliver THC Possession of drug paraphernalia Money laundering Maintaining a drug trafficking place Delivery of a controlled substance within 1000 feet of a school 19-year-old Chicagoan arrested in Wisconsin on drug charges, possession stolen firearm The investigation is ongoing. No additional details were provided. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton.
News18
06-05-2025
- News18
‘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 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
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
Mum who disappeared over 60 years ago found 'safe and well'
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info A mum who disappeared over 60 years ago has been found "safe and well" according to Police. Audrey Backeberg, 82, from Sauk County, Wisconsin, was confirmed to be the missing woman last week by the Sauk County Sheriff's Office. The then-20 year old went missing in 1962 after reportedly hitchhiking with her family's babysitter to Madison, where the childminder said the pair had taken a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. She added Audrey had then walked around the corner from the bus stop, to never be seen or heard from again - until now. The babysitter believed Audrey decided to leave home by herself, but according to The Mirror, her family members insisted the woman would "never have abandoned her children." READ MORE: Donald Trump orders notorious Alcatraz prison to be re-opened for 'America's most violent offenders' Detective Isaac Hanson, Sauk County Sheriff's Office, took on the cold case earlier this year, analysing all evidence surrounding Audrey's disappearance. The official interviewed previous witnesses and combed through files, but it was Audrey's sister's profile which eventually led to the confirmation the missing woman was alive and well. (Image: Rapid Search and Rescue Corp) He local news station WISN: "That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data. "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." The detective added the mum seemed to have "moved on from things", and sounded happy and "confident" in her decision to leave her home all those years ago. According to the Audrey Project, a firm which specialises in documents from more than 16,000 unsolved cases in the US, stated Audrey had married husband, Ronald Backberg, when she was "about fifteen years old," but had lived through a "troubled" marriage surrounded by "allegations of abuse." READ MORE: Donald Trump says 'Greenland invasion could happen' and makes bizarre claim A statement from Sheriff Chip Meister said: "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. "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. "The Sheriff's Office would like to acknowledge the work of Investigators, both past and present. 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."
Hindustan Times
06-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
Wisconsin woman missing for over 6 decades found 'alive and well'
In a remarkable turn of events, a woman from Wisconsin who had been missing for more than six decades has been located, 'alive and well,' according to authorities. Audrey Backeberg, 82, vanished in July 1962 at the age of 20, but a recent investigation has revealed that she was living out of state. The Sauk County Sheriff's Office, in a press statement, confirmed the discovery, though the exact state where she was found has not been disclosed. (Also read: American woman in Bengaluru amazed by India's late-night delivery culture: 'You can get everything') The sheriff's office further explained that Backeberg's disappearance was not the result of criminal activity or foul play. "Further investigation has revealed that Ms Backeberg's disappearance was by her own choice," the statement read. Backeberg, who was a mother of two at the time, left her home on 7 July 1962. According to a report in The Guardian, her babysitter claimed that Backeberg had hitchhiked to Madison, Wisconsin, before taking a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. The babysitter's last memory of Backeberg was seeing her walking away from the bus stop. The Charley Project, a platform dedicated to profiling missing persons, previously updated its post about Backeberg, revealing that she had married her husband, Ronald Backeberg, at a young age. She was reportedly around 15 years old at the time of marriage, which was said to have been troubled, with allegations of abuse. According to a report from the BBC, Backeberg had filed a criminal complaint against her husband around the time of her disappearance, accusing him of abuse and threats to kill her. She had been working at a woollen mill and was on her way to collect her pay when she left home. The case, which had remained unsolved for decades, was re-examined as part of an ongoing review of cold cases. In a statement, the Sauk County Sheriff's Office explained that the case was assigned to a detective for a "comprehensive review," which involved a 'thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence.' Detective Isaac Hanson, who led the investigation, revealed to WISN News that he found Backeberg through her sister's account. "That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data," Hanson said. He went on to contact the local sheriff's department at the address he uncovered, and within minutes, he received a call from Backeberg. (Also read: US woman fulfils her mother's lifelong dream to visit Paris, captures her priceless reaction to Eiffel Tower) 'I think she just was removed and, you know, moved on from things and kind of did her own thing and led her life,' Hanson added. 'She sounded happy. Confident in her decision, no regrets.'
