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Renee Bruhl Missing Person Case

Last seen in Chesterton, Indiana on Jul 2, 1966

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Victim Details

May 13, 2011

Mar 4, 2022

Renee

Bruhl

79

19

59 inches

120 lbs

150 lbs

White / Caucasian

Female

Jul 2, 1966

Chesterton

Indiana

Porter County

No

10167

Indiana State Police - Headquarters

Indianapolis

Indiana

Marion County

46204

100 North Senate Ave, Indiana

3178998577

State

Law Enforcement

1-33919

Indiana State Police - Headquarters

Brown

Hazel

Hazel

Oct 11, 2026


Area Last Seen:

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP10766) and 12 other sources
On July 2, 1966, 19-year-old Renee Bruhl, along with her friends Patricia Blough and Ann Miller, disappeared from the Indiana Dunes State Park in Chesterton, Indiana. The three women arrived at the park around 10:00 a.m., parked their car, and settled near the Lake Michigan shoreline. At around noon, witnesses reported seeing the women enter the water and later board a white boat with a blue interior, operated by an unidentified man. The women left their belongings on the beach, which remained unclaimed by dusk, prompting the witnesses to alert park authorities.

A search was initiated three days later, and more witnesses came forward describing the man in the boat as being in his twenties with dark, wavy hair. Despite extensive searches and leads, including the sighting of two boats matching the descriptions, no trace of the women or the boats has ever been found. Various theories have emerged, including accidental drowning or foul play related to the women's associations with individuals involved in the horse market, but nothing has been confirmed.

Several unverified sightings of the women were reported in the years following their disappearance, but the case remains unsolved. The mysterious circumstances surrounding the disappearance of the three young women continue to intrigue investigators and the public.
Last Seen: Jul 2, 1966

Links to Additional Sources (12)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • Three young women disappeared from Indiana Dunes State Park in ...
  • Missing - Renee Bruhl
  • What happened to three young sunbathers who disappeared at ...
  • Renee Bruhl - The Charley Project
  • Missing 1966 - Newspapers.com™
  • Bruhl
  • Missing Person / NamUs #MP10766
  • Missing Person / NamUs
  • 384DFIN - Renee Bruhl - Doe Network
  • It's been 57 years since 19-year-olds Patricia Blough and Renee ...
  • Renee Bruhl, Patricia Blough & Ann Miller, Indiana Dunes SP, 2 July ...
  • Renee Bruhl, Patricia Blough & Ann Miller, Indiana Dunes ...

    • Possible Unidentified Matches (6)

    Unidentified remains cases whose details are consistent with this person, ranked by how closely they compare. Fields that are unknown in either case are left out of the score.

    78%Possible
    Jane Doe — South Bend, Indiana - unidentified case UP782
    Jane Doe — South Bend, Indiana
    UP782 • Found Dec 29, 1996
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 21–35 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 92%41 mi away, same state
    TimingFound 30 years after last seen
    Height 84%5'1" vs 4'11"
    Weight 100%110 lb vs 120–150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP118571 • Found Nov 1, 1995
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 20–29 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away
    TimingFound 29 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'2" vs 4'11"
    Weight 100%117 lb vs 120–150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP129052 • Found Apr 2, 1993
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 21–31 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 94%31 mi away
    TimingFound 27 years after last seen
    Height 100%4'9"–5'3" vs 4'11"
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP128920 • Found Jan 22, 1992
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 85%Est. 45–65 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away
    TimingFound 26 years after last seen
    Height 100%5'0" vs 4'11"
    Weight 100%163 lb vs 120–150 lb
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
    Eyes 0%Gray vs Hazel
    76%Possible
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois - unidentified case UP124858
    Jane Doe — Chicago, Illinois
    UP124858 • Found Jul 14, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 40–49 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 93%35 mi away
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'2" vs 4'11"
    Weight 100%130 lb vs 120–150 lb
    Hair 60%Black vs Brown
    Eyes 60%Brown vs Hazel
    75%Possible
    Jane Doe — Dolton, Illinois - unidentified case UP122444
    Jane Doe — Dolton, Illinois
    UP122444 • Found Oct 5, 1988
    View case
    Sex ✓Female
    Age 100%Est. 17–22 vs 19 when missing
    Race 100%White
    Location 95%28 mi away
    TimingFound 22 years after last seen
    Height 68%5'2"–5'9" vs 4'11"
    Hair 100%Brown vs Brown

    These comparisons are generated automatically from public NamUs case data and are not confirmed identifications. Only DNA, dental or fingerprint comparison by investigators can confirm an identity. If you believe two cases are connected, contact the agency handling the unidentified case.

    Unidentified photos are blurred because many are post-mortem. Tap a photo to reveal it.

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    Forum Posts (1)

    On July 2, 1966, 19-year-old Renee Bruhl and her friends Patricia Blough and Ann Miller went missing... ...Read More
    12/02/2023

    Other Missing Cases from Chesterton, Indiana

    Ann Miller missing person case in Chesterton, Indiana

    Ann Miller

    Missing: Jul 2, 1966
    Ann Miller was 21 years old when she vanished during a summer outing to Indiana Dunes State Park ...Read More