Evelyn Hartley, a 15-year-old high school student from La Crosse, Wisconsin, vanished without a trace while babysitting on October 24, 1953. Despite immediate and extensive search efforts, no concrete evidence ever surfaced to reveal exactly what happened to her that night. The scene investigators found suggested a struggle, but the circumstances of her disappearance remain unresolved more than seventy years later.

This case stands as one of Wisconsin’s most enduring unsolved mysteries, with theories and rumors persisting through the decades. For those interested in true crime and historical cold cases, the story of Evelyn Hartley continues to draw attention and speculation as new generations seek answers.

Overview of Evelyn Hartley’s Disappearance

Evelyn Hartley vanished in La Crosse, Wisconsin on October 24, 1953, sparking a major search and public concern. Her disappearance remains unsolved and is one of the region’s most infamous missing person cases.

Key Events on October 24, 1953

On the evening of October 24, 1953, 15-year-old Evelyn Hartley was babysitting for the Rasmusen family in La Crosse. She was covering for the usual babysitter and was meant to watch the Rasmusen’s young daughter while the parents attended a homecoming event at La Crosse State College.

Evelyn arrived at the house around 6:30 PM. She planned to check in with her parents by phone, but after failing to call them at the scheduled time, her father became concerned. The house was located in a quiet residential area, making her disappearance particularly alarming.

A timeline of key points that night:

Time Event ~6:30 PM Evelyn arrives at the Rasmusen home ~8:30 PM Fails to call home; parents become worried After 8:30PM Her father goes to check on her

Initial Discovery and Response

When Richard Hartley, Evelyn’s father, went to the Rasmusen home, he found the doors locked and received no answer despite calling his daughter's name. Lights were on inside, but Evelyn and the child she was babysitting were nowhere in sight.

He discovered one of Evelyn’s shoes and her glasses inside, while another shoe was found outside the house. Signs of a struggle included a window that was forced open and smeared with handprints, some reportedly bloody.

The police were called immediately. A large-scale search began involving law enforcement, local volunteers, and even neighboring county officials. Despite intense efforts, including the use of tracking dogs and mass canvassing, no trace of Evelyn was ever found. The case quickly became a national story and led to widespread speculation, but no suspects were ever formally charged.

Background of Evelyn Hartley

Evelyn Hartley was a high-achieving high school student in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her family life, daily routines, and actions before the night of her disappearance provide crucial context for understanding her case.

Personal Life and Family

Evelyn “Evie” Hartley was born in 1938 and lived in La Crosse, Wisconsin. She was the daughter of Richard Hartley, a respected biology professor at La Crosse State College, and his wife, Ethel. The Hartley family was known locally for their involvement in the community and for valuing education.

Evelyn attended Central High School, where she excelled academically. She was regarded as an honor student and often participated in school and community activities. Teachers and classmates described her as reliable, responsible, and mature for her age.

Evelyn had a close-knit family environment and was not known to have any behavioral issues. Her interest in music and academics filled her spare time. She had a small group of friends and was trusted to take on responsibilities like babysitting for neighborhood families.

Activities Leading Up to the Incident

On October 24, 1953, Evelyn agreed to babysit for the Rasmussen family on La Crosse’s south side while they attended a college football game. The arrangement was typical, as she often accepted babysitting jobs to help neighbors and earn extra money.

Earlier that day, Evelyn had attended her regular classes at Central High School. She came home in the afternoon, prepared for her evening babysitting job, and left home around 7:00 p.m. The Rasmussens’ home was not far from her own.

The night in question was unremarkable until Evelyn failed to check in as expected. Her father, concerned when he could not reach her by phone, visited the Rasmussen residence and discovered disturbing signs, including scattered belongings and signs of a struggle. These details set the stage for the subsequent investigation.

Crime Scene and Evidence Analysis

Key details emerged from the initial discovery of Evelyn Hartley’s disappearance and the evidence recovered at the scene. Immediate clues raised suspicions of foul play and prompted a detailed forensic response.

Discovery of the Crime Scene

Evelyn Hartley vanished on October 24, 1953, while babysitting at the home of Professor Viggo Rasmusen in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Her father, worried when she did not answer repeated calls, arrived at the house and discovered the doors locked, the lights on, and the radio playing.

A quick search revealed signs of violence. One window was open with Evelyn’s belongings, such as her shoes and glasses, left behind. Blood stains were found throughout the house, suggesting a struggle.

Several items were out of place. Furniture was disarranged, and more blood was spotted on the window sill and in the yard, reinforcing the likelihood that she was forcibly taken.

Forensic Evidence Collected

Investigators collected substantial forensic evidence from the scene. Blood samples found inside and outside the home matched Evelyn’s blood type. A bloody handprint on a neighboring garage suggested the perpetrator may have fled on foot, possibly while bleeding.

A set of footprints was recorded close to the house. Broken glasses and one shoe, both belonging to Evelyn, were discovered near the open basement window. Law enforcement documented fingerprints and gathered additional fabric fibers for laboratory testing.

Despite thorough forensic efforts, much of the evidence at the time could not be fully exploited due to limitations in 1950s technology. Nonetheless, the physical clues collected shaped the investigation’s direction and continue to be referenced in later reviews of the case.

Search Efforts and Public Response

After Evelyn Hartley disappeared in 1953, the incident prompted an intensive search and garnered widespread public interest. Extensive efforts by citizens and authorities shaped the response in La Crosse and surrounding areas.

Community Involvement

Thousands of local residents participated in organized searches for Evelyn Hartley. Volunteers combed fields, woods, and riverbanks in coordinated efforts that became one of Wisconsin’s largest search operations.

Local media outlets ran frequent updates, and flyers with Evelyn’s photo and description were distributed throughout the region. Community groups and businesses donated supplies while a reward fund was quickly established to encourage information from the public.

Key actions by the community included:

Organizing search parties
Providing logistical support
Spreading awareness through posters and radio

Support continued for weeks, with groups such as family friends, students, and church members maintaining hope and pressure for progress.

Law Enforcement Investigation

Law enforcement agencies, led by the La Crosse Police Department, conducted a broad and methodical investigation. Police officers interviewed neighbors, checked homes, and carefully examined the scene where Evelyn disappeared.

Investigators collected evidence such as blood stains, torn clothing, and footprints, attempting to reconstruct the sequence of events. The search efforts included:

House-to-house questioning
Roadblocks and inspections of vehicles
Canvassing nearby fields and waterways

State and federal agencies became involved, with the FBI providing support in analyzing leads. Despite exhaustive efforts, no suspect was charged, and Evelyn’s whereabouts remain unknown. The case is still considered one of Wisconsin’s most infamous unsolved disappearances.

Suspects and Theories

Investigators identified several suspects soon after Evelyn Hartley vanished, but no one has been charged. Theories surrounding what happened range from known criminals to more general possibilities about her fate.

Primary Suspects

Edward “Ed” Gein, a notorious serial killer, was initially suspected by some due to his proximity to the area and history of violent crimes. However, police later discounted his involvement after further investigation. No direct evidence tied Gein to Evelyn’s case.

Multiple local individuals also came under suspicion. Several were questioned by police, but none were definitively linked to the crime scene. The case file includes rumors about drifters and acquaintances, though these claims lack solid proof.

Law enforcement at the time focused on people known to frequent the neighborhood. Despite polygraph tests and interviews, no admissions or concrete leads emerged. Authorities could not identify a primary suspect with clear motive or opportunity.

Alternative Theories

Some investigators have proposed that Evelyn Hartley was stalked or targeted specifically by someone familiar with her routines. Signs of a struggle at the house, including blood stains and a missing shoe, support the belief in a violent confrontation.

Another possibility is a random abduction by a passing stranger. The neighborhood had several open yards and easy access points, making it possible for an opportunistic offender to escape unseen.

Speculation has also included the involvement of multiple perpetrators. This theory is based on reports of suspicious vehicles in the area and the fast, efficient removal of evidence at the scene.

Most alternative theories underscore the careful planning or audacity involved in the disappearance, but none have yielded new evidence or solved the mystery.

Media Coverage and Impact

Evelyn Hartley’s disappearance in 1953 drew significant attention from newspapers, radio, and television, shaping both the investigation and how the case was remembered. The persistent spotlight helped mobilize search efforts and left a mark on the community for decades.

Role of Media in the Case

Media outlets played a critical role in bringing Evelyn Hartley’s case to public attention. Local and national newspapers provided frequent coverage, delivering updates on the investigation and the community’s search efforts. Radio and television broadcasts extended the story’s reach, prompting widespread awareness and encouraging tip-offs from the public.

Coverage included publishing detailed descriptions of Evelyn, appeals from her family, and updates from law enforcement. This helped create a sense of urgency and united the local community. Journalists often highlighted the unusual nature of the crime and the lack of clear suspects, which fueled further public concern.

The media’s involvement was not always uncritical. Some coverage faced scrutiny for speculating about the case or emphasizing certain theories without supporting evidence. However, the increased visibility made the disappearance a regional and sometimes national topic.

Long-Term Public Interest

Even decades after her disappearance, Evelyn Hartley’s case remains one of Wisconsin’s most infamous unsolved mysteries. The story continues to be featured in crime documentaries, books, podcasts, and anniversary news segments. Coverage typically resurfaces on significant anniversaries or when new information is uncovered.

Community forums and online groups still discuss potential leads, theories, and interpretations of the evidence. For many residents, the case has become part of local history. It is often cited in discussions about unsolved crimes and the effectiveness of mid-20th century investigations.

Efforts to keep her story alive include ongoing press releases from law enforcement and special reports from news outlets. The case’s enduring presence in the media reflects both lingering hope for answers and the impact it had on the collective memory of the region.

Recent Developments and Ongoing Investigation

Authorities continue to revisit the Evelyn Hartley case by applying updated investigative methods and tracking any credible leads. Despite the case’s age, law enforcement has not officially closed the investigation or ruled out new information.

Modern Forensic Approaches

In recent years, investigators have revisited evidence from the original 1953 investigation using modern forensic tools. Physical evidence, such as blood stains and fingerprints found at the scene, has been cataloged into forensic databases where possible. Some old evidence was re-examined for DNA traces using more advanced techniques than were available decades ago.

Law enforcement agencies have also used digital case management software to cross-reference Evelyn’s disappearance with other unsolved cases and missing persons databases nationwide. Analysts periodically review tips—some sparked by renewed public interest from podcasts or television episodes, including a profile in 2016 on The Vanished.

Despite these efforts, no new forensic breakthroughs have surfaced. The lack of preserved biological samples and the limitations of 1950s evidence collection remain significant challenges.

Unsolved Questions

Several key details about Evelyn Hartley’s disappearance remain unresolved. Although her abduction is classified as a non-family abduction and likely homicide, no suspects have been conclusively identified. Witness statements from the night of October 24, 1953, provided some leads, but none resulted in a resolution.

Authorities followed up on scattered reports and tips, but many proved to be dead ends. Community members and family hoped for answers as new investigative technologies emerged, but Evelyn’s fate is still unknown.

The continuing investigation hinges on the possibility of new information or witnesses coming forward, underscoring the case’s status as one of Wisconsin’s enduring unsolved mysteries.

Legacy and Influence

Evelyn Hartley's disappearance in 1953 had a significant and lasting effect on both the La Crosse community and approaches to child safety in the United States. The unresolved case led to heightened attention on community vigilance and lasting changes in safety practices.

Changes in Local Community

After Evelyn Hartley vanished from a babysitting job, the La Crosse community responded with one of the most extensive search efforts in Wisconsin's history. Thousands of volunteers joined law enforcement to search homes, fields, and rivers in the area.

This event prompted families in La Crosse to adopt stricter safety measures. Many residents began locking their doors and windows, a practice that was uncommon in the area at the time. Local schools and organizations also initiated neighborhood watch groups, aiming to prevent similar tragedies.

The incident is still referenced in La Crosse today whenever public safety initiatives are discussed. Hartley's disappearance remains an example cited during community meetings and local history presentations.

Impact on Child Safety Awareness

The Hartley case became a catalyst for increased national attention on child safety. Media coverage at the time highlighted the vulnerabilities of young people left alone or babysitting. This led to educational campaigns by law enforcement and advocacy groups.

Authorities began providing families with guidelines for safer babysitting practices. Emphasis was placed on regular check-ins, confirming identities before allowing anyone inside, and maintaining contact with parents. Schools and youth groups started safety seminars, further promoting these new guidelines.

Lists of safety tips and checklists for parents and babysitters became more common. The Hartley case is often referenced in materials relating to child safety standards in Wisconsin and beyond.

The Disappearance of Evelyn Hartley: Unsolved Mystery from 1953