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.
Very bad in my book.
seems an extremely selfish way to walk away from your kids and other family. even if the husband was harmful, she did much harm to kids and any of her own family members (parents etc).
I’m sorry you’re confused.
Not confirmed according to AI search.
I like her music so much; liked her right out of the gate and LOVE her collaborations with Steve Martin.
But you’re right. I had forgotten about his, ‘relationship’ history, too.
I guess we’re supposed to just shut up and accept that, ‘The Creatives’ know SO much more than we, ‘Mere Mortals.’
On any subject. ;)
Nice try.
What about reconciliation with her kids?
From the article:
“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.”
I will never get used to this new grammar. Did only the missing woman take the bus and they’re using the new term “they” for one person, or did both get on the bus?
“seems an extremely selfish way to walk away from your kids and other family. even if the husband was harmful, she did much harm to kids and any of her own family members (parents etc).”
Agree. SHE got away and was safe, but no remorse for leaving her children with an abusive husband, or for her grieving parents/siblings. They probably went through hell thinking about what might have happened to her....
I doubt a person that old is nonbinary. It doesn’t seem like the babysitter got on the bus with her. Probably a mistake.
He ended up standing before a tougher Judge than any we could have provided.
She left her children with an abusive husband? How desperate do you have to be to do that?
We don’t know what her parents were like. It’s likely it was a cold or indifferent home if they let her marry at 15 or worse, encouraged it.
Some abusers only target one person, the spouse, and not necessarily the kids. They may even dote on the kids and teach them, especially if they are boys, the mother is a dog just there to cook and clean. They happily teach their girls to dress like Barbies and flirt with as many guys as they want.
My sister’s husband was like that. Turned out he had his real lady love (someone else’s wife) on the side, and had only kept the marriage intact because he wanted my sister to raise the kids and go to work while he played around with this other married woman when he was supposed to be at work or hunting with his friends.
Reality didn’t set in until the kids reached 18 and he then told her he didn’t love her and never did. She at first blamed herself until I asked her how many deer had he brought home in his years of “hunting.”
“He’d be 112.”
Okay, a real SLOW janitor.
😅 Yer so bad.
You can’t just start over the way you used to.
She was 20 years old and she ran off and abandoned her children to an abusive husband. I’m sorry there’s no excuse for that. She could’ve went to the police. She could’ve went to her family. She could’ve gone public. I wonder if her children are still alive and if so, what’s their take on all this?
There’s a story there.
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