Missing mother-of-two makes stunning admission as she is found 63 years after mysteriously vanishing

A young mother who vanished over 60 years ago has finally been found and admitted she has ‘no regrets’ about her disappearance.

Audrey Backebeger was 20 years old and a married mother-of-two when she disappeared from Reedsburg, Wisconsin, in July 1962. 

On Thursday, the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office announced that Backebeger had been found ‘alive and well’ in another state. 

According to the sheriff’s office, further investigation has determined that Ms. Backeberg’s disappearance was voluntary and not linked to any criminal activity or foul play.

The Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy (WMPA) group stated that the woman tied the knot with her spouse, Ronald Backeberg, when she was only 15 years old and their relationship was characterized by mistreatment.

Despite her family’s insistence that Backeberg would never abandon her kids, the case eventually went cold. 

Detective Isaac Hanson reopened Backeberg’s case in March for a comprehensive review as part of an ongoing examination of cold case files.

‘It seems like she made a choice to distance herself, move on, and live life on her own terms. She appeared content and self-assured in her decision, without any regrets,’ Hanson informed WISN.

Audrey Backebeger (pictured), vanished over 60 years ago. She has finally been found and admitted she has 'no regrets' about her disappearance

Audrey Backebeger (pictured), vanished over 60 years ago. She has finally been found and admitted she has ‘no regrets’ about her disappearance

Backebeger was 20-years-old and a married mother-of-two when she disappeared from Reedsburg, Wisconsin (pictured), in July 1962

Backebeger was 20-years-old and a married mother-of-two when she disappeared from Reedsburg, Wisconsin (pictured), in July 1962

Backeberg filed a criminal complaint claiming her husband had beaten her and threatened to kill her just days before she vanished, according to WMPA.

However, her husband passed a polygraph exam and has always maintained his innocence in the case. 

Shortly after Backeberg went missing, a 14-year-old babysitter for the couple told police she had hitchhiked to Madison with the young mother, then took a bus to Indianapolis, Indiana with her.

The teenager decided to return home and claimed she last saw Backeberg at a bus stop. 

‘The juvenile was interviewed again as an adult, maybe 15 years ago,’ Detective Lt. Chris Zunker of the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office told WMPA.

‘She stated Audrey had taken a bunch of pills, put them in a Coke can and drank it before taking the bus down to Indianapolis. 

‘She reported Audrey potentially hooked up with some construction workers that may have been in the area.’

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office said investigators pursued numerous leads over the years, but the case went unsolved for decades.

Detective Isaac Hanson (pictured) reopened Backeberg's case in March and was able to track her down in another state

Detective Isaac Hanson (pictured) reopened Backeberg’s case in March and was able to track her down in another state

Earlier this year, Hanson was assigned the case and through re-evaluation and re-interviewing witnesses, was able to track Backeberg down.

‘The sister actually had an Ancestry.com account, and I was able to use that. That was pretty key in locating death records, census reports, all kinds of data,’ Hanson said. 

‘Ultimately, we came up with an address. 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.’

Hanson did not specify what state she is in, but said her abusive husband may have played a role in her initial decision to leave.

You May Also Like
Judge torpedoes one of Trump's most controversial executive orders... and turns tables on president with simple use of punctuation

Court blocks Trump’s controversial executive order and sends powerful message with punctuation.

The court decision invalidated one of President Donald Trump’s contentious executive orders,…
Is ‘One Chicago’ New Tonight? ‘Chicago Med’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘P.D’ Return Dates

Are New Episodes of ‘One Chicago’ Airing Tonight? Find Out When ‘Chicago Med,’ ‘Fire,’ and ‘P.D.’ Are Returning

The thrilling action-packed series One Chicago has captured the hearts of viewers…
Dave Portnoy blasts WNBA 'morons' as racism probe fails to prove Caitlin Clark fans abused Angel Reese

Dave Portnoy criticizes WNBA ‘foolish individuals’ as investigation into racism allegations against fans of Caitlin Clark and Angel Reese is inconclusive

Dave Portnoy, the founder of Barstool Sports, criticized the WNBA for investigating…
Trump warns Putin is 'playing with fire' after declaring the Russian president has 'gone absolutely CRAZY'

Trump cautions Putin against reckless behavior, claiming the Russian leader’s actions are erratic.

President Donald Trump claimed on Tuesday that if it were not for…
Kevin Costner sued by Horizon stunt double over 'violent, unscripted' rape scene

Lawsuit Filed Against Kevin Costner by Stunt Double for Alleged Inappropriate Filming Incident

Kevin Costner is currently facing a legal dispute after a female stunt…
Higher Edu-Chaos: Civil Rights Laws, Declining Enrollments Put Colleges in a Bind

Leo Terrell says that if the rights of Jewish people are not safeguarded, then the rights of all are at risk.

President Donald Trump has emphasized the importance of combating antisemitism, particularly within…
NPR sues Trump administration over executive order to cut funding to public media

NPR takes legal action against Trump administration for reducing funding to public media

WASHINGTON — National Public Radio and three local stations filed a lawsuit…
Chicago shootings this weekend: Holiday gun violence down from year ago, police department says

Chicago police say holiday gun violence this weekend lower compared to previous year

CHICAGO (WLS) — There were shootings and murders, but not as many…
Brass Mill Center Mall mass shooting: Tajuan Washington of Waterbury, Connecticut charged after 5 shot

5 people shot at Brass Mill Center Mall; Waterbury, CT resident Tajuan Washington faces charges

WATERBURY, Conn. — Police in Connecticut have arrested a 19-year-old in the…
Harvard revokes professor's tenure in rare move amid data manipulation allegations

Harvard removes professor’s lifetime job security due to rare accusations of manipulating data

Harvard University has revoked the tenure of Francesca Gino, a professor of…
Comedy, common sense, creativity: New book 'Wow, You Look Terrible! How to Parent Less and Live More' offers laughs with lessons

New book “Wow, You Look Terrible! How to Be a Better Parent and Enjoy Life” combines humor, practical advice, and creativity to help you lighten up and savor the moments.

HOLLYWOOD — Danny Ricker is a behind-the-scenes star at “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”…
Netanyahu says Israel has killed Hamas' Gaza chief Mohammed Sinwar

Israel’s Netanyahu announces that Hamas leader Mohammed Sinwar has been killed in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Wednesday that Israel had killed senior…