Overview of MISSING: Carrie O’Brien-Krueger
This episode investigates the 1989 disappearance of Carrie O’Brien-Krueger, a 32-year-old Wisconsin woman whose husband, Tracy Kruger, quickly became the central suspect. The case is marked by shifting stories, questionable documents, lost evidence, a bizarre amnesia claim from Tracy, and a decades-long family effort to uncover what happened. Recent investigative work suggests Carrie may have died at or near her home, but her remains have never been found and the case remains officially open.
What Happened in December 1989
Carrie’s disappearance
- Carrie worked in PR for Gander Mountain.
- On Tuesday, December 5, 1989, she was reportedly told to fill in for a work trip to a trade show in Wyoming.
- Her husband said she left before dawn on Wednesday, December 6 to catch a flight.
- But Carrie never arrived in Wyoming, and no one could verify the trip.
Why the story immediately looked suspicious
- Carrie would never have abandoned her daughter.
- Her family quickly sensed something was wrong.
- The “trade show” story began to unravel almost immediately, with Tracy giving inconsistent versions of:
- who called Carrie
- where she was supposedly going
- when she was due back
- what she packed
- whether he saw or heard a car that morning
The Case Against Tracy Kruger
Signs of marital trouble
Carrie had told loved ones:
- the marriage was emotionally distant
- Tracy was cold and possibly cheating
- they were not having sex
- he had lied about going to counseling
She also believed he had fabricated a brain tumor as an excuse, which seriously damaged trust.
Major inconsistencies and red flags
Investigators found several troubling details:
- Carrie’s purse and ID were missing, but most of her belongings remained at home.
- Her wedding ring, medication, curler, and new makeup were still there.
- She did not take the heavy winter gear she would have needed for Wisconsin weather.
- Tracy claimed she took cash from an emergency stash and a suitcase, but:
- the supposed hiding spot in the air duct didn’t exist
- the suitcase story shifted
- no travel records supported his timeline
Financial and document issues
Police later uncovered evidence suggesting Tracy may have forged or lied about:
- a truck purchase made in both names
- a second mortgage on the house
- his work status and income problems
- a possible forged signature on paperwork
He was also reportedly:
- skipping work
- padding timecards
- in danger of being fired
The Amnesia Claim
Tracy’s sudden memory loss
After a polygraph appointment was scheduled, Tracy experienced a dramatic mental break:
- he collapsed after reading a newspaper story about Carrie
- he claimed his memory had reverted to 1979
- he said he had no memory of Carrie, their marriage, or their daughter
How doctors interpreted it
- Early doctors called it hysterical amnesia
- Later neurologists found:
- no stroke
- no medical explanation
- strong reason to suspect he may have been faking
- A forensic psychiatrist was even more direct, saying the story sounded fabricated
Why investigators distrust it
- The timing was extremely convenient
- Tracy later used the amnesia to support his claim that Carrie simply “left”
- He still sticks to that version of events decades later
Evidence, Mistakes, and Lost Leads
Evidence that may have mattered
Investigators and family believed several items could have been crucial:
- bloody men’s clothing found in a neighboring county
- red sandy residue from Tracy’s truck
- suspicious stains under wallpaper
- a loaded shotgun in the home
- a possible concrete patch in a basement
- cadaver dog alerts in and around the house and truck
What went wrong
The episode highlights repeated investigative failures:
- evidence was not preserved
- some items were never tested
- one detective reportedly threw out the red residue
- key records were lost or shredded
- a possible forgery on mortgage/truck paperwork was not fully examined
- police appear to have moved too slowly on several leads
Alternative Suspect: Philip Andrew Fox
Who he was
A neighbor, Philip Andrew Fox, later came under scrutiny:
- violent criminal history
- suspected in multiple other murders
- lived near Carrie and Tracy
- reportedly behaved oddly around the time Carrie vanished
Why he became a suspect
- a parole/probation officer flagged him after seeing him on TV
- he gave shifting explanations for his travel around the time of Carrie’s disappearance
- he later refused a deal that would have cleared unrelated charges if he revealed where Carrie’s body was
Bottom line
Fox was considered a possible red herring by Carrie’s family. The episode makes clear that while he was dangerous, most evidence still points back to Tracy.
Where the Case Stands Now
Modern re-investigation
The case was eventually transferred to Racine County, where investigators:
- reopened the file
- re-interviewed key people, including Tracy’s daughter Megan
- searched the former home
- examined Tracy’s old truck with a cadaver dog named Taser
- re-examined a basement tip involving a mysterious concrete patch
The basement lead
A contractor claimed he once saw:
- a fresh concrete patch in a basement
- strange urgency from Tracy to cover it
But when investigators returned with modern tools, the layout didn’t match the Kruger home. That suggests:
- the contractor may have worked in a different basement
- there may be another property tied to the case that police haven’t found yet
Current status
- Carrie is still officially a missing person
- she has also been legally declared dead
- her remains have never been located
Family Impact and Key Takeaways
What Carrie’s family believes
Her family remains convinced:
- Carrie did not simply walk away
- Tracy was likely involved
- poor early police work may have cost them answers
The lasting tragedy
The case is especially painful because:
- Megan was raised on a version of her mother that the family believes was false
- Tracy allegedly told Megan her mother was cold and abandoned the family
- the family has spent decades trying to show Megan a more truthful picture of Carrie
How to Help
Investigators are still looking for:
- anyone who can interpret old Wisconsin Bell phone bills
- anyone who remembers the alleged December 1989 call pattern
- anyone with information about Carrie’s disappearance or a possible alternate basement/property
Contact information
- Racine County Sheriff’s Office: 262-930-8254
- Crime Stoppers of Racine County (anonymous): 888-636-9330
Main Takeaways
- Carrie O’Brien-Krueger vanished in December 1989 under deeply suspicious circumstances.
- Her husband Tracy gave shifting, contradictory accounts and later claimed bizarre memory loss.
- Investigators suspect Carrie may have been killed at home, but the body has never been found.
- The case still hinges on unresolved physical evidence, old records, and one very important basement lead.