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Case Description

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Bernadette Ruby Behmlander, aged 50, disappeared from her home in Battle Creek, Michigan, on October 1, 1997. She was last seen at her residence, where she lived alone. Her disappearance raised concerns when her ex-husband, with whom she maintained weekly phone contact, was unable to reach her after sending her a $400 check for home repairs. When he visited her home, it appeared as though she had left in a hurry. The windows were open, spoiled food was found both on the stove and in the refriger ...Read More
Last Seen: Oct 01, 1997

Victim Details

Aug 03, 2010

Aug 09, 2022

Bernadette

Behmlander

77

50

60 inches

120 lbs

Asian

Female

Bernadette Ruby Behmlander, a 50-year-old woman, was last seen in Battle Creek, Michigan, in October of 1997. Of Chinese descent but born in Trinidad, Bernadette, also known as Susie, had a quiet life. She lived alone and was unemployed at the time of her disappearance. Despite being divorced, she maintained a consistent weekly phone call with her ex-husband. It was during their last conversation in October 1997 that Bernadette mentioned needing some repairs done on her home. In response, her ex-husband mailed her a check for $400 to cover the costs. This seemingly ordinary exchange would be one of the last known communications with her. A week after their last phone call, Bernadette's ex-husband became concerned when he couldn't reach her for their scheduled chat. He drove to her house to check on her, only to find a scene that suggested a hasty departure. The windows of the home were open, and inside, food was found spoiled in a pot on the stove and in the refrigerator. The uncashed $400 check he had sent was sitting by the sink, and a diamond ring she regularly wore was left hanging on a hook in the bathroom. Her car was found locked and parked in the backyard. Initially, her ex-husband believed she would return and did not immediately file a missing person's report. As days turned into weeks with no word from Bernadette, the unsettling circumstances of her disappearance became more apparent. She had a few distinguishing features, including a scar on her left cheek, moles under her left eyebrow and on the bridge of her nose, and an abdominal scar. She typically dressed in either athletic casual wear or country-western style clothing and was known to wear several gold chains. The investigation into her disappearance yielded few clues, and the case grew cold over the years. In 2010, thirteen years after she was last seen, Bernadette Ruby Behmlander was declared legally dead. Her case remains an unsolved and poignant mystery, leaving her loved ones without answers.

Oct 01, 1997

Battle Creek

Michigan

Calhoun County

21175

Battle Creek Police Department

Battle Creek

Michigan

Calhoun County

49014

20 N. Division St., Michigan

2697810911

Local

Law Enforcement

98-07158

Battle Creek Police Department

Black

Brown

Brown

No

06/20/2026


Area Last Seen: