In June 1974, 17-year-old Catherine Sjoberg was enjoying all the festivities of prom night when a heated argument with her boyfriend at the post-prom dance sent her storming off into the cool summer night, never to be seen or heard from again. For nearly 50 years, law enforcement in Jefferson County, Wisconsin, have been haunted by Cathy’s disappearance as they’ve tried to find answers to the nagging question still weighing on the community today: how does someone vanish into thin air?
Courtesy of Wisconsin Association of Homicide Investigators, Wisconsin Department of Justice, Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Racine Police
Episode Info
Cathy was last seen in a long, light blue formal gown. She had long, light brown hair parted in the middle and green eyes. She was about 5’4” or 5’5”. Cathy would be 65 years old today.
If you know anything about the disappearance or murder of Catherine Sjoberg in June of 1974, call Detective Doebereiner at the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office at 920-674-8624.
An undated photo of Cathy. Courtesy: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
The front of the Concord House. Courtesy: audiochuck staff
The front of the Concord House. Courtesy: audiochuck staff
The land surrounding the Concord House. Courtesy: audiochuck staff (1 of 2)
The land surrounding the Concord House. Courtesy: audiochuck staff (2 of 2)
The Concord House sits at the end of a long gravel driveway. Courtesy: Google
Cathy’s school notebook. Courtesy: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Cathy’s missing person’s flyer. Courtesy: Rapid Search and Rescue
A newspaper clip on Cathy’s disappearance on June 10, 1974, from the Waukesha Daily Freeman. Courtesy: Waukesha Daily Freeman
An article from the Oshkosh Northwestern published June 4, 1995. Courtesy: Oshkosh Northwestern
An article from the Waukesha Daily Freeman quoting Cathy’s mom, published June 13, 1974. Courtesy: Waukesha Daily Freeman
An article published by the Capital Times on June 12, 1974, about Cathy’s disappearance. Courtesy: Capital Times
An article published by the Winona Daily News on Aug. 21, 1980, about Kelly Drew and Cathy’s disappearances. Courtesy: Winona Daily News
A photo of an unconfirmed sighting of Cathy. Courtesy: Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office
Episode Source Material
- 101 Wisconsin Unsolved Mysteries, by Marv Balousek.
- The Charley Project: Catherine Lynn Sjoberg.
- Daily Jefferson County Union: Sjoberg clues sought 35 years after disappearance.
- Missing Alert: Catherine Sjoberg.
- Twin Cities Pioneer Press: Hack-Drew murders of 1980 are focus of TV show, by Pioneer Press.
- NBC News: Arrest in ‘80 slaying of high school sweethearts.
- Oxygen: ‘You’re gonna want to put a need in my arm’: How an elderly serial killer confessed his way to the death penalty, by Joe Dziemianowicz.