In the Fall of 1977, Bob was just weeks into his freshman year at UW-Madison. He was a math whiz with a knack for computers and a big heart. At 18-years-old, there was no telling how far he’d go.
But no one ever expected to be asking the question… Where did he go? Yet here we are almost half a century later, with that burning question and just a string of bizarre clues that leads many to believe an infamous serial killer could be to blame for his disappearance.
Episode Info
Today, Robert “Bob” Christian would be 65 years old. At the time of his disappearance, he was 5’10” and 210 pounds. He had blue eyes, shaggy brown hair, and wore eyeglasses. You can find his photo in the show notes. If you know anything about Bob’s disappearance or movements around Wisconsin in September of 1977, please call Detective Tyler Pointon directly at 608-355-3205. You can also call the sheriff’s office’s non-emergency line at 800-377-1195. Or, if you prefer to remain anonymous, you can reach Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-TIP-SAUK.

A photo of Bob during his senior year at La Folette Highschool. Courtesy: Bob’s sister, Amy Bradway.

A photo of Bob (left) age 14 in his scouts uniform with a friend. Courtesy: Amy Bradway, Bob’s sister.

A photo of Bob (second from the left) age 11, performing a card trick for his friends and family. His sister, Amy, is on the left. His childhood friend Randy, who he was going to meet in Baraboo, is second from the right. Courtesy: Amy Bradway, Bob’s sister.

Bob’s original missing person’s poster from 1977. Courtesy: Sauk County sheriff’s office.

A photo of Durward’s Glenn Catholic retreat center. Taken by Audiochuck staff.

A photo of where Bob’s car was found – near the Wisconsin State Police radio tower in Baraboo Bluffs. Courtesy: Sauk County sheriff’s office.

A photo of the location where Bob’s car was found present day – there is no longer a radio tower. Photo taken by Audiochuck staff.

A photo of how Bob’s car was found– abandoned, with wheels and battery missing. Courtesy: Sauk County sheriff’s office.

A photo of detectives leading the bloodhound search. Courtesy: Sauk County sheriff’s office.

An aerial photo from law enforcement’s helicopter search. Courtesy: Sauk County sheriff’s office.
Episode Source Material
Original reporting by Nicole Kagan
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Driver missing in Sauk County Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Search for missing man goes on Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Missing bow hunter is ‘good outdoorsman’ by Frank Custer Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): Search continues for missing man Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Bloodhound search gives no clues to missing man Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Daily Citizen (Beaver Dam, WI): Christian Missing From Hunting Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Continue search for missing man Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Authorities find hub caps from missing man’s car Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Still no trace of missing hunter Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Parts of car owned by missing teen found in dump pit Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Portage Daily Register (Portage, WI): Officials find hubcaps by Associated Press Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Sheriff’s department halts search for Christian Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): No new developments in Bob Christian search Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Still no clues in search for missing youth Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Missing man may be in Canada Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- The Capital Times (Madison, WI): Missing man believed in Canada Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Personals Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): Couple keep hope alive in search for missing son by Richard W. Jaeger Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): Relatives anguished over missing by Mary Balousek Accessed via Newspapers.com. (1)
- Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, WI): Relatives anguished over missing by Mary Balousek Accessed via Newspapers.com. (2)
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Parents still looking for answers 30 years later by Lewis and Carolynn Christian, Reedsburg Accessed via Newspapers.com.
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): 30 years later, they cling to hope by Brian D. Bridgeford Accessed via Newspapers.com. (1)
- Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): 30 years later, they cling to hope by Brian D. Bridgeford Accessed via Newspapers.com. (2)
- Wisc News (Madison, WI): Area cold case mysteries keep investigators searching by Kevin Damask.
- Sauk County Sheriff’s Office (Baraboo, WI): *Seeking information – 1977 Cold Case / Missing Person* Accessed via Facebook.
- WKOW / ABC 27(Madison, WI): Sauk County Sheriff’s Office seeks new tips on 1977 cold case by Evan Bolin.
- WMTV 15 News (Madison, WI): Sauk Co. officials reviewing 1977 cold case of man’s disappearance by Juliana Tornabene.