Posted on 06/15/2025 2:01:29 PM PDT by nickcarraway
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.
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.
I was only a few years out of the womb, back in ‘62, but I would guess women in her (Abused Spouse) situation had very few options to chose from back then. This doesn’t justify the abandonment of her children, but may explain it, somewhat.
This is way back when most lower to middle class women would consider it a career achievement to be a shift cashier at the Piggly Wiggly or learn Greg Shorthand, how to type over 50 words a minute and become a Secretary for a doctor or lawyer.
There were no support groups for teen mothers, even the married ones, unless the groups were Church organized.
Did she even have a Driver’s License? Having become a busy Mom at 15 or 16, maybe not.
I honestly don’t recall. But here’s the FR article from May covering the same story…
https://freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/4314948/posts
No, but it sounds like he may have been justifiably sick of her crap.
“Mommy went to work with Santa Claus at the North Pole.”
Yea, the leaving the kids behind with a monster was odd.
No Regerts.
You’re on FIRE, today, LOL!
Familiar with the case. Not HAPPY that she left the kids behind. But, she was a kid, herself at the time. Married at 15? Yikes.
Before I got married at 19 my Dad said, ‘You can MARRY him, but you’re going to have to finish RAISING him!’
Truer words were never spoken! Miss You, Dad! :)
The “abusive man” defense excuses many crimes.
Sometimes, it’s true.
My thoughts as well.
“And then she kissed me, and I realized she probably was right...
There must be fifty ways to leave your lover”
Ain’t that always the case? ;)
P.S. Paul Simon does not deserve Edie Brickell.
Or “regerts”, either...
Did he grow up to be something? Or did you fail to come through for you dad?
You don’t really make sense.
You initially criticized her for leaving, but now seem to say it’s good she left because they became free of “her crap.”
Would an abusive husband even allow her to get one?
I don't know. They might really deserve each other. He sure can pick 'em: Shelley Duvall, Carrie Fisher, and then Edie Brickell.
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