Evelyn Hartley
Missing since October 24, 1953, from La Crosse, La Crosse County, Wisconsin
Classification: Endangered Missing

Vital Statistics

• Date Of Birth: November 21, 1937
• Age at Time of Disappearance: 15 years old
• Height and Weight at Time of Disappearance: 5'7"; 126-128 lbs.
• Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Blue eyes; light brown, straight hair. Light complexion. Hartley wears eyeglasses, but did not have them on when she disappeared.
• Clothing: She was last seen wearing size 16, red denim White Stag jeans, a size 34-36 plain white Ship n' Shore blouse, with pearl buttons. An indian beaded belt with metal buckle, size 24. White bobby socks.
• Dentals: Available

Circumstances of Disappearance
Hartley, a 15-year-old Central High School student disappeared October 24, 1953, from the home of a La Crosse State College professor where she was babysitting. She was supposed to call her parents during the evening but did not. Her father tried to call several times that day and never got an answer. He became worried and went to the house to check on his daughter.

Hartley's father found all the windows in the house locked except a basement window in the back. Bloodstains were found around that window and in the grass of the yard, and there was a bloody hand print on the side of the house next door. The furniture inside the living room was disarranged. Hartley's eyeglasses, which were broken, and one of her shoes were on the living room floor. Her other shoe was found in the basement. There was no other trace of Hartley inside the home. The twenty-month-old girl she had been babysitting was found unharmed, sleeping in her crib.

Tracker dogs traced Hartley's scent as far as the street, leading authorities to believe she had been taken away in a car. They believe she disappeared at approximately 19.15. She never was found though there was an intensive search. Foul play is suspected.

Investigators
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact:

La Crosse Police Department
608-785-5962

Agency Case Number: 53-1543

Source Information:
La Crosse Tribune
FindEvelynHartley.org
The Charley Project
NamUs