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Evelyn Hartley Missing Person Case

Last seen in La Crosse, Wisconsin on Oct 24, 1953

Victim Details

Jan 7, 2010

Aug 14, 2023

Evelyn

Hartley

88

15

67 inches

126 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Oct 24, 1953

La Crosse

Wisconsin

La Crosse County

26234

La Crosse Police Department

La Crosse

Wisconsin

La Crosse County

54601

400 La Crosse Street, Wisconsin

6087855962

Local

Law Enforcement

53-1543

Oct 24, 1953

La Crosse Police Department

Brown

Blue

Blue

Oct 17, 2026


Area Last Seen:

View Videos (5)

Evelyn Hartley
541 // Evelyn Hartley
(1953, Wisconsin) The Vanishing of Evelyn Hartley - The ...
Unfound - The Evelyn Hartley Case with Ed Dentzel Hosted by ...
The Unsolved Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP4579) and 17 other sources
Evelyn Grace Hartley, a 15-year-old from La Crosse, Wisconsin, went missing on the evening of October 24, 1953. She was babysitting at the home of the Rasmussen family when she vanished. Evelyn's father, who became worried when she failed to check in at the designated time, went to the house to check on her. Upon arrival, he found the house locked, the lights and radio on, but no sign of Evelyn. Inside, one of her shoes and her glasses were found broken, and outside, signs of a struggle were evident. The window had been forced open, and her other shoe was found outside near footprints, along with bloodstains in the yard.

A massive search was launched involving local law enforcement, volunteers, and even the National Guard, but no trace of Evelyn was found. Bloodhounds tracked her scent for a short distance before losing it. The investigation led to various suspects over the years, including notorious criminals and convicted murderers, but no substantial leads ever materialized. Several reported sightings of her were investigated, but none could be confirmed.

The case remains one of Wisconsin’s most enduring unsolved mysteries. Despite numerous efforts and the passage of decades, Evelyn's fate is still unknown, and her disappearance continues to haunt the community of La Crosse.
Last Seen: Oct 24, 1953

Links to Additional Sources (17)

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  • Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley - Wikipedia
  • The Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley - Stories of the Unsolved
  • Evelyn Hartley disappeared on October 24
  • Evelyn Hartley - La Crosse Public Library Archives
  • The Unsolved Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley | True Crime Recaps
  • La Crosse teenager vanished 70 years ago this week | Winona Radio
  • The Babysitter Who Vanished: What Happened to Evelyn Hartley?
  • Evelyn Grace Hartley - The Charley Project
  • Evelyn Hartley - Wisconsin Missing Persons Advocacy Inc's
  • Dark La Crosse Stories Episode 17: The Disappearance of Evelyn ...
  • Hartley,Evelyn 1953 - Porchlight International for the Missing ...
  • The Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley in La Crosse, Wisconsin
  • The Mysterious Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley - A&E
  • Last November we told you about Evelyn Hartley, one of La Crosse's ...
  • 536 // Missing Evelyn Hartley–Crawlspace - Apple Podcasts
  • Evelyn Hartley - Voices for Justice
  • The disappearance of Evelyn Hartley: A look back at La Crosse's 72 ...

    • 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
    Jane Doe — Westby, Wisconsin - unidentified case UP4786
    Jane Doe — Westby, Wisconsin
    UP4786 • Found May 4, 1984
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 72%Est. 50–63 vs 15 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 97%22 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 31 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'5" vs 5'7"
    Weight 82%150 lb vs 126 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)

    Has anyone else looked into the possible connection between Evelyn Hartley's disappearance in 1953... ...Read More
    05/08/2024

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