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Theodore Dengerud Missing Person Case

Last seen in Sunburg, Minnesota on Apr 3, 1982

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Victim Details

Feb 3, 2011

Jan 9, 2024

Theodore

Dengerud

74

30

68 inches

69 inches

195 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

Apr 3, 1982

Sunburg

Minnesota

Kandiyohi County

56289

No

9649

Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Willmar

Minnesota

Kandiyohi County

56201

Kent Bauman

Detective

2201 Northeast 23rd Street, Suite 101, Minnesota

3202351260

County

Law Enforcement

82003030

Apr 3, 1982

Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 14, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP9410) and 11 other sources
Theodore Leonard Dengerud, age 30, was last seen on April 3, 1982, in Sunburg, Minnesota. That night, around 11:00 p.m., he left his home in New London to pick up his wife from her sister’s house in a rural area near Sunburg. Unfamiliar with the roads, Dengerud stopped at an elderly couple’s home to ask for directions, making them the last known individuals to have seen him. Shortly after, his car was found crashed into a small tree at a T-shaped intersection, with no signs of him at the scene.

Investigators suspect Dengerud may have sustained a head injury in the crash as blood was found on the windshield. Despite possible sightings of him in the St. Bonifacius area, about 100 miles away, none were confirmed. Dengerud’s family speculates that he may have suffered from amnesia, possibly living under an alias.

Dengerud was a Vietnam War veteran and a subcontractor at the time of his disappearance. His wife and young daughter have been left without answers for decades. Despite extensive investigations, Dengerud’s case remains unsolved.
Last Seen: Apr 3, 1982

Links to Additional Sources (11)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension - Facebook
  • BCA still looking for missing New London man - Willmar Radio Home
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • Theodore Leonard Dengerud - The Charley Project
  • Information sought on 1982 Cold Case - Ingstad Media
  • Theodore Dengerud- Missing since 1982 : r/MissingPersons - Reddit
  • Theodore Dengerud- Minnesota- 1982
  • Theodore
  • 3472DMMN - Theodore Leonard Dengerud - Doe Network
  • MN - Theodore Dengerud, 40, Sunburg, 3 April 1982 - Websleuths
  • [PDF] Theodore Dengerud - Missing Person Bulletin

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (3)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    79%Possible
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota - unidentified case UP16212
    John Doe — Battle Lake, Minnesota
    UP16212 • Found May 1, 2005
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 45–55 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 84%68 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 23 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'8"–5'9"
    Weight 84%160 lb vs 195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue
    77%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP124186 • Found Sep 25, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%99 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 13 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'10" vs 5'8"–5'9"
    Weight 80%156 lb vs 195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota - unidentified case UP763
    John Doe — Minneapolis, Minnesota
    UP763 • Found Dec 16, 2003
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 30 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 75%100 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'8" vs 5'8"–5'9"
    Weight 48%131 lb vs 195 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Blue vs Blue

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    I've been fascinated (and frustrated) with the mystery of Theodore Dengerud's disappearance for a... ...Read More
    10/14/2023

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