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Ben Wilberding Missing Person Case

Last seen in Tomahawk, Wisconsin on May 24, 1996

Victim Details

Sep 4, 2010

Feb 10, 2023

Ben

Wilberding

51

21

70 inches

170 lbs

White / Caucasian

Male

May 24, 1996

Tomahawk

Wisconsin

Lincoln County

54487

21211

Lincoln County Sheriff's Department

Merrill

Wisconsin

Lincoln County

54452

1104 East 1st Street, Wisconsin

7155366272

County

Law Enforcement

CR0796-201

Lincoln County Sheriff's Department

Brown

Brown

Brown

Oct 5, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP8090) and 10 other sources
Ben Wilberding, a 21-year-old man from Tomahawk, Wisconsin, was last seen on May 24, 1996. That morning, Ben left his parents' home in rural Tomahawk in a maroon vehicle with two other occupants. He had called his sister earlier that day, and this was the last contact anyone had with him. Ben was last seen wearing blue jeans and a t-shirt. Despite extensive efforts to locate him, he has not been heard from since.

At the time of his disappearance, Ben had just started a seasonal job at Hurd Millwork Company in Merrill, Wisconsin, but he never picked up his first paycheck. His own vehicle was left behind, and he has not used his Social Security number or renewed his driver's license since 1996. Shortly after he went missing, police found his driver's license and Social Security card in another person's possession, but no direct connection to Ben's disappearance was established through that lead.

Despite searches and investigations, there has been little evidence to suggest where Ben might have gone or whether foul play was involved. His disappearance remains a mystery, and authorities continue to seek any information that could shed light on the case. Ben’s family and the local community have kept his case open in the hopes of finding answers.
Last Seen: May 24, 1996

Links to Additional Sources (10)

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  • Forgotten Wisconsin Cold Cases: Ben Wilberding - Small Town Crime
  • Ben Wilberding - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy Inc's
  • Benjamin J. Wilberding - The Charley Project
  • Ben Wilberding | International Missing Persons Wiki - Fandom
  • Ben Wilberding... - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy
  • 27 years after man went missing from #Tomahawk investigators still ...
  • Ben Wilberding has been missing for 29 years today. He was last ...
  • WI - Ben Wilberding, 21, Tomahawk, 24 May 1996 | Websleuths
  • 3601DMWI - Benjamin J. Wilberding - Doe Network
  • Forgotten: Ben Wilberding - Small Town Crime

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (1)

    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.

    75%Possible
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP129255
    John Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129255 • Found Sep 3, 2002
    View case
    Sex ✓Male
    Age 100%Est. 15–25 vs 21 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 48%270 mi away
    TimingFound 6 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'9" vs 5'10"
    Weight 100%160 lb vs 170 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 100%Brown vs Brown

    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 (2)

    It’s been over 25 years since Ben Wilberding disappeared, and I can’t stop thinking about that... ...Read More
    10/17/2024
    I came across Ben Wilberding's case and was intrigued by the detail about his driver's license and... ...Read More
    01/25/2023

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