A Wisconsin woman who vanished without a trace in 1962 has been found alive more than 60 years later, bringing a stunning conclusion to one of the state’s oldest cold cases. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Audrey Backeberg, now 82, is alive and living outside Wisconsin.

Backeberg was just 20 years old when she disappeared in July 1962. At the time, she lived in Reedsburg with her husband, Ronald, and their two young children. She told her family she was going to pick up her paycheck from a local woolen mill, but she never returned. For decades, her disappearance remained a mystery.

Early in the investigation, a teenage babysitter claimed she had traveled with Audrey to Madison, where they caught a bus to Indianapolis. According to her account, Audrey left the bus stop and vanished. Later statements added confusion, suggesting Audrey may have taken pills before leaving, but no solid evidence ever confirmed what happened next.

The case was reopened in 2024, when Detective Isaac Hanson reviewed old files and discovered a new lead through a genealogy website. A connection linked Audrey’s family to a current address. Authorities contacted the local sheriff’s department, and within minutes, Audrey was found.

After speaking with her, investigators confirmed she had left voluntarily and was not the victim of any crime. Audrey reportedly expressed no regrets about her decision, saying she chose to move on and live life on her own terms.

While questions remain about why she stayed silent for so long, officials say she is safe, content, and wishes to keep her reasons private.