Vanished Without a Trace: The Enduring Mystery of Bernadette Caruso’s Disappearance

The Day She Disappeared: A Routine Shift Turns Into a Lifelong Nightmare

On September 27, 1986, 23-year-old Bernadette Stevenson Caruso completed her shift at Shaw’s Jewelers in Eastpoint Mall, Baltimore County, Maryland. Around 5:05 p.m., she was seen entering her grandmother’s gray-green 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier in the mall’s parking lot. She had informed a coworker that she planned to meet her estranged husband, Michael Caruso, that evening. Bernadette never arrived home, never contacted friends or family, and was never seen again. Her vehicle also vanished without a trace.

A Troubled Marriage and a Custody Battle

At the time of her disappearance, Bernadette was embroiled in a contentious divorce and custody dispute with Michael Caruso, a former Baltimore County police officer. The couple had a three-year-old daughter, Nicole. Bernadette had filed domestic violence charges against Michael and was scheduled to testify in court two weeks after she vanished. Michael had been dismissed from the police department following a conviction for prisoner abuse. Witnesses reported that he had threatened Bernadette on multiple occasions. Despite these circumstances, he has never been charged in connection with her disappearance.

An Uncharacteristic Vanishing Act

Bernadette’s sudden disappearance was entirely out of character. She was a devoted mother and had plans to go out with friends the evening she went missing. She had also deposited her paycheck earlier that day, indicating no intention of fleeing. Her family and friends immediately suspected foul play. The fact that both Bernadette and her vehicle disappeared without a trace only deepened their concerns.

A Family's Relentless Pursuit of Justice

In the decades since Bernadette's disappearance, her family has tirelessly sought answers. They have organized rallies, maintained a dedicated website, and gathered thousands of petition signatures urging the Baltimore County State's Attorney's Office to present the case to a grand jury. Despite their efforts, prosecutors have declined to proceed, citing insufficient evidence. ...Read More

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