Overview

Last seen: November 4, 1983
Location: Dunkirk, Dane County, Wisconsin
Age when missing: 44
Status: Remains have never been recovered; Wisconsin continues to list Ruth as missing
Conviction: Gary W. Homberg was convicted of first-degree murder in 1989

Main circumstances: Ruth learned that her husband was having an affair with her daughter-in-law and reportedly intended to confront him. She disappeared after leaving friends with Gary. Personal belongings and medication remained behind, and investigators found circumstances they believed were inconsistent with Ruth voluntarily abandoning her family. Gary’s mistress later testified that he told her he had killed Ruth after she met him at the airport the morning following Ruth’s disappearance. Prosecutors secured a murder conviction despite never recovering Ruth’s body.

The unanswered question more than four decades later remains the same: Where is Ruth Ann Homberg?

Detailed Case Breakdown

Ruth Ann Homberg: The 1983 Wisconsin Disappearance and Murder Case

Ruth Ann Homberg was 44 years old when she disappeared from Dane County, Wisconsin, in November 1983. More than four decades later, her remains have never been recovered. Yet her disappearance is not an unsolved mystery in the conventional sense: her husband, Gary W. Homberg, was convicted of murdering her despite prosecutors having no body.

The case became an important early Wisconsin example of a murder prosecution in which the victim’s remains had never been found.

The Disappearance of Ruth Ann Homberg

Ruth Ann Homberg, also known as “Ruthie,” lived with her second husband, Gary Homberg, on property on Leslie Road in the Town of Dunkirk in Dane County. Ruth had brown hair and blue eyes, stood approximately 5 feet 4 inches tall and weighed about 117 pounds.

On November 4, 1983, Ruth learned that Gary was having an affair with her daughter-in-law, Sharon Jacobson Nordess, who was married to Ruth’s son.

Ruth reportedly told friends that she intended to confront her husband about the relationship.

She was last seen leaving her friends’ home with Gary as the couple headed back toward their residence. Ruth was never seen or heard from again.

Gary reported his wife missing the following day.

A Disappearance That Did Not Look Voluntary

Investigators and Ruth’s family found circumstances inside her home inconsistent with the idea that she had deliberately left her life behind.

Her clothing, cosmetics, medication and other personal belongings remained at home. Ruth was also described as close to her children and elderly parents.

Jewelry became another significant issue in the investigation. Gary maintained that Ruth had taken valuable jewelry with her, including a watch, diamond ring and bracelet. Investigators later developed evidence that the jewelry had instead been sold or reset after Ruth disappeared.

Ruth’s automobile also became important. According to later testimony, Gary drove Ruth’s vehicle to the Dane County Regional Airport on the morning after her disappearance and left it in long-term parking.

The Affair and a Crucial Witness

The investigation eventually centered heavily on Sharon Jacobson Nordess, with whom Gary had been having an affair.

Her account changed over time. After previously denying knowledge of Ruth’s disappearance, she eventually went to investigators and disclosed information implicating Gary.

She testified that Gary contacted her on the morning after Ruth disappeared and instructed her to meet him at the airport. According to her testimony, she saw him arrive in Ruth’s car, leave the vehicle there and get into her car.

She testified that during their trip back toward Stoughton, Gary told her that he had killed Ruth.

Because she had previously given false statements, her credibility became an important issue. She ultimately testified against Gary after receiving immunity.

Investigators Uncover Another Possible Motive

As authorities investigated Gary Homberg’s finances, they uncovered evidence of substantial embezzlement involving Millfab, the Stoughton-area wood-processing business where Gary served as president.

Prosecutors developed a theory that Ruth’s confrontation with Gary was about more than the affair and that information she possessed could expose financial wrongdoing.

The prosecution therefore presented a case involving the troubled marriage, Gary’s affair, financial misconduct, Ruth’s sudden disappearance and testimony concerning statements Gary allegedly made about killing her.

There was still one extraordinary problem for prosecutors: Ruth’s body had never been found.

Murder Trial Without Ruth’s Body

Gary Homberg was nevertheless prosecuted for Ruth’s murder.

At trial, prosecutors relied on circumstantial evidence as well as testimony from Sharon. They argued that Ruth had not voluntarily abandoned her family and life and presented evidence concerning what occurred immediately before and after her disappearance.

A jury found Gary Homberg guilty of first-degree murder on October 13, 1989.

The conviction was particularly notable because prosecutors obtained it without recovering Ruth’s remains.

Gary also received a sentence related to embezzlement. At sentencing, the judge offered an extraordinary incentive: the murder and embezzlement sentences could be made concurrent if Gary disclosed what happened to Ruth’s body.

Gary maintained his innocence and did not provide a location.

The Conviction Survives Appeal

Gary challenged his murder conviction.

One issue concerned testimony that he had previously discussed committing what was characterized at trial as a “perfect crime.” Gary’s defense argued that the prosecution had not properly disclosed the statement before trial.

The Wisconsin Court of Appeals ultimately concluded that even if admitting the evidence had been erroneous, the error was harmless.

His conviction was affirmed.

What Happened to Ruth’s Remains?

This is the central unanswered question.

One theory reported in accounts of the investigation is that Ruth’s body may have been destroyed using an industrial furnace associated with Millfab. The furnace reportedly was capable of producing extremely high temperatures.

That remains a theory rather than a confirmed recovery or established location of Ruth’s remains.

No remains identified as Ruth have been publicly reported as recovered.

Because of that, her missing-person case remains important even though a person was convicted of her murder. Finding Ruth would answer the final major question left by the case and could allow her family to know where her remains were placed.

Latest Publicly Available Case Information

As of the latest publicly accessible Wisconsin records reviewed in September 2026, Ruth Ann Homberg remains listed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Clearinghouse for Missing & Exploited Children & Adults.

The state lists her as missing since November 4, 1983, from Dunkirk in Dane County, Wisconsin. The official listing currently calculates her age as 87.

The state’s current case information continues to emphasize that Gary Homberg was convicted of first-degree murder but that Ruth’s remains have never been located.

No newer publicly announced recovery of Ruth’s remains or major investigative breakthrough was located in the sources reviewed for this article. That does not necessarily mean investigators have conducted no additional work; investigative activity that has not been publicly released would not appear in public sources.

The Wisconsin Department of Justice and Dane County Sheriff’s Office continue to request information concerning Ruth’s case.

Brief Case Summary

Last seen: November 4, 1983
Location: Dunkirk, Dane County, Wisconsin
Age when missing: 44
Status: Remains have never been recovered; Wisconsin continues to list Ruth as missing
Conviction: Gary W. Homberg was convicted of first-degree murder in 1989

Main circumstances: Ruth learned that her husband was having an affair with her daughter-in-law and reportedly intended to confront him. She disappeared after leaving friends with Gary. Personal belongings and medication remained behind, and investigators found circumstances they believed were inconsistent with Ruth voluntarily abandoning her family. Gary’s mistress later testified that he told her he had killed Ruth after she met him at the airport the morning following Ruth’s disappearance. Prosecutors secured a murder conviction despite never recovering Ruth’s body.

The unanswered question more than four decades later remains the same: Where is Ruth Ann Homberg?