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A Wisconsin cold case that spanned more than 60 years has finally been resolved. Audrey Jean Backeberg, now 82 years old, has been found "alive and well" after vanishing in 1962 at age 20. Her case was featured on the Charley Project, which profiles thousands of long-term missing persons cases.

"The Sheriff’s Office is now able to report that Audrey Backeberg is alive and well and currently resides out of State," the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office said in a media release.

"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."

1962 Disappearance

Backeberg (née Good) disappeared on July 7, 1962, from her family’s home. According to the Wisconsin Department of Justice, she was last seen by a family babysitter, who said they hitchhiked to Madison, Wisconsin, and later boarded a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana.

"The babysitter stated Audrey chose to leave of her own accord and said she would not return, but Audrey's family members insisted she would never have abandoned her children," the Charley Project notes.

The Charley Project also reported Audrey married Ronald Backeberg at around age 15 and that their “marriage was troubled and there were allegations of abuse.” Ronald reportedly passed a polygraph test after Audrey disappeared.

About the Charley Project

The Charley Project serves as a public database for over 16,000 cold case missing persons, primarily in the U.S.

“It does not actively investigate cases; it is merely a publicity vehicle for missing people who are often neglected by the press and forgotten all too soon.”

“A person must have been missing for at least one year to be listed.”

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Cold Case Reopened and Solved in 2024

The Sauk County Sheriff's Office reopened the case in early 2024, assigning it to a detective who re-evaluated all evidence, re-interviewed witnesses, and uncovered new insights that led to confirming Audrey’s whereabouts.

"This was the result of a thorough re-evaluation of all case files and evidence," the sheriff’s office stated.