Kerry O’Brien Krueger: A Missing Mother, an Impossible Trip and a Broken Timeline

Crime Junkie

  • Aug 3, 2026
  • 1:04:16
  • Full Episode

On the morning of December 6, 1989, 32-year-old Kerry O’Brien Krueger quietly left her home in Burlington, Wisconsin before sunrise, or so her husband, Tracey Krueger, told police. He said Kerry had received a late-night phone call from work and was unexpectedly sent to a trade show in Wyoming. There was just one problem….the trade show never existed. More than 35 years later, Kerry O’Brien Krueger has never been found.

In this episode, Ashley Flowers and Brit Prawat investigate one of Wisconsin’s most baffling missing persons cases, a story filled with contradictory timelines, suspicious financial records, missing evidence, and a mystery investigators believe Crime Junkies may be able to help solve.

You’ll hear about: Kerry O’Brien Krueger’s final known movements on December 5–6, 1989, the mysterious business trip that investigators say was fabricated, the inconsistencies in Tracey Krueger’s account of the hours before Kerry disappeared, the unusual medical episode that abruptly halted the investigation, newly uncovered investigative details from the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, two critical clues investigators believe could finally break this case open, and why detectives are asking the public for help interpreting evidence that’s been sitting in the case file for decades.

This investigation also explores the evolution of the case from the Burlington Police Department to the Racine County Sheriff’s Office, modern searches using cadaver dogs and ground-penetrating radar, questions surrounding physical evidence collected during the original investigation, a possible connection to a violent convicted offender who lived nearby, and why investigators believe someone may still hold the missing piece to solving Kerry’s disappearance.

Kerry O’Brien Krueger was a public relations professional at Gander Mountain. She was a devoted mother to her three-year-old daughter, beloved sister and daughter, and a woman her family says would never have willingly walked away from her child.

More than three decades later, investigators believe the truth is still within reach. If you have any information that may assist with the investigation into the disappearance of Kerry O’Brien Krueger, you can call the Racine County Sheriff’s Office at 262-930-8254. You can also call Crime Stoppers of Racine County anonymously at 888-636-9330. -------- Are you apart of Ashley's Summer Watch Challenge? Text "BREAKING NEWS" to 317-733-7485 to stamp your bingo card. Not apart of Ashley's challenge and want to join? Text "WATCH IT" to 317-733-7485 to join!

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About Ashley Flowers Ashley Flowers is the top female podcaster in the U.S. and the host of Crime Junkie, the #1 podcast among women and the #1 true crime podcast globally. As the Founder of Audiochuck, she has built a top-tier podcast production company that has garnered over 2.6 billion downloads, captivating audiences with its gripping storytelling through 10+ chart topping podcasts. Ashley and her team are dedicated to creating responsible true crime content that respects victims and their families.

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Check out these other great crime channels: @annieelise He Jumped From a Car, Then Vanished. Is There a Serial Killer in Houston? | Kenneth Cutting Jr. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mcJnfkg9c1k @kallmekris The CREEPIEST Encounters On Reddit… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XHNT8FUgxnk @KendallRae Husband Claims Flying Pipe Killed His Wife!? The Case Of Barbara Kendhammer https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtO0UoGfvZw&t=23s @christinaarandall Is The Truth Finally Coming Out?! Nolan Wells https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t9W1z6TiqFI

Brief Summary

Carrie O'Brien Krueger vanished in 1989, raising suspicions about her husband Tracy and a neighbor with a violent past.

Key points

  • The Mysterious Disappearance of Carrie O'Brien Krueger. In December 1989, Carrie O'Brien Krueger vanished without a trace, leaving her family desperate for answers.
  • The Search for Clues. Carrie's family searches her house, uncovering unsettling evidence that contradicts Tracy's claims.
  • Tracy's Inconsistent Story. Tracy's account of the events surrounding Carrie's disappearance raises suspicions among investigators.
  • Inconclusive Polygraph Results. Tracy's polygraph test results are inconclusive, raising further suspicion.
  • Tracy's Memory Loss. Tracy experiences a shocking amnesia, forgetting the last decade of his life.
  • Missing Evidence. Crucial evidence, including a red sandy substance, is discarded by police.

Tension

75/ 100High tension

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