Authorities have announced that a Wisconsin woman, missing for over six decades, is reportedly “living.” According to a statement from the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, 82-year-old Audrey Buckeberg, who vanished in July 1962 at just 20 years old, has been located out of state, though the specific location hasn’t been disclosed.
The Sheriff’s Office further revealed, “A more detailed investigation indicated that Ms. Buckeberg’s disappearance was voluntary, not due to any criminal activity or foul play.”
As per the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Buckeberg left her family on July 7, 1962. Her babysitter stated they hitchhiked to Madison, Wisconsin, where they took a Greyhound bus to Indianapolis, Indiana. The babysitter later spotted Buckeberg, who had two children, walking from the bus stop.
The Charlie Project, which tracks missing individuals, highlighted that Buckeberg married Ronald Buckeberg around the age of 15, indicating marital issues and claims of abuse.
Reports suggest that prior to her disappearance, Buckeberg had filed charges against her husband for physical abuse and threats. On the day she left, she had collected her paycheck from a local wool factory.
After decades of being cold, Buckeberg’s case was revived as part of a thorough reassessment of cold case files. The Sheriff’s Office noted that the review involved a careful reevaluation of all related files and re-interviews of witnesses, leading to new findings.
Detective Isaac Hanson, who played a key role in locating Buckeberg, mentioned that he used his sister’s ancestry.com account to track her down. “We sought various records, including census data, ultimately leading to an address. After contacting the local sheriff’s department, I managed to speak with her for about 45 minutes,” Hanson recalled.
He added, “She seems to have found her own path… and sounded happy. She seems confident in her choices and has no regrets.”
