In the late summer of 1990, Stephen Alvin Reisberg and his wife, Jenny Sun-Reisberg, embarked on what should have been an adventurous hiking trip, one of many they enjoyed as experienced outdoor enthusiasts. The couple, married for less than a year, left their home in Boston, Massachusetts, on August 27, 1990, with plans to hike in the Tetons before visiting a friend in San Francisco and then flying to Kauai, Hawaii. They were scheduled to return to Massachusetts on September 9, but it was not uncommon for them to alter their travel plans. Concerns for their safety arose when Jenny, a doctoral candidate at Harvard University, did not return as expected. A professor reported them missing on September 24, 1990. The last known person to have seen the couple was the program director of the Kokee Museum of Natural History in Kauai's Kokee State Park, who recalled them studying maps of Mount Waialeale for an extended period sometime after September 9. Despite his attempts to dissuade them from the difficult and treacherous hike, he noted their intelligence and determination.
The search for Stephen and Jenny began, and approximately two weeks after their disappearance, their rental car was discovered at the Pu O Kila lookout in Kokee State Park. The vehicle contained their backpacks, tents, and suitcases packed for their trip home, suggesting they may have only intended a short day hike. An extensive two-week search of the vast park, involving bloodhounds, helicopters, and experienced hikers, yielded very few clues. The only potential piece of evidence found was a scarf, though it was never confirmed to belong to Jenny. A hiker also reported hearing a woman moaning in the park about ten days prior, but this lead was never verified. The area they were exploring is known for its dangers, including the presence of marijuana plantations; tragically, two other hikers had been killed by growers in the same region that year.
The disappearance of Stephen and Jenny Reisberg has left their friends and family with many unanswered questions and theories. Some have speculated that the couple may have met with foul play, while others believe they could have had a fatal accident in the rugged terrain. Authorities have considered it unlikely, though not impossible, for two experienced hikers to both have fatal accidents. There were also rumors that they may have staged their own disappearance, though Stephen was reportedly happy with his new position at the New England Medical Center. A memorial service was held for the couple in Massachusetts later in 1990, but without any definitive answers, their case remains open and unsolved. The perplexing circumstances surrounding their vanishing, including the discovery of their fully packed car and the lack of any substantial evidence, have made this one of the most enduring mysteries in Kauai's history.
Last Seen: Sep 09, 1990
