Crime Solvers Central
Crime Solvers Central
302 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.

Case Description

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Summary based on the NamUs case record (MP1816) and 11 other sources
Bernadette Marie Caruso, 23 years old at the time of her disappearance, was last seen on September 27, 1986, after leaving her job at Shaw's Jewelry Store in Eastpoint Mall, Dundalk, Maryland. She was seen entering her car, a gray-green 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier, at around 5:05 p.m. Her co-workers mentioned that she had plans to meet her estranged husband, Michael Caruso, a Baltimore County police officer, to discuss an undisclosed matter. Bernadette never made contact with her friend, who was expecting a call from her later that day, and neither she nor her vehicle has been seen since.

At the time of her disappearance, Bernadette and Michael were embroiled in a contentious custody battle over their three-year-old daughter. The strained relationship between the two raised suspicions, particularly as Michael was known to have threatened her in the past. Shortly after her disappearance, Michael was dismissed from the police force for an unrelated incident involving prisoner abuse. Despite these factors, no charges have been filed against him, and no formal suspects have been named in the case.

Foul play is strongly suspected due to the mysterious circumstances surrounding Bernadette's disappearance, which her family and friends described as completely out of character. Investigators have continued to treat her case as an open and unsolved matter, seeking any information that could shed light on her fate. Over the years, searches and public appeals have been made, but no significant leads have surfaced, and her case remains unsolved to this day.

Authorities continue to seek tips from the public, hoping for any development that could bring closure to Bernadette's family after decades of uncertainty.

Last Seen: Sep 27, 1986

Possible Unidentified Matches (5)

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.

81%Moderate
Jane Doe — Baltimore, Maryland - unidentified case UP5439
Jane Doe — Baltimore, Maryland
UP5439 • Found Jun 15, 1987
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 97%Est. 24–30 vs 23
Race 100%White
Location 100%7 mi away, same state
TimingFound 9 months after last seen
Height 84%5'6" vs 5'4"
Weight 63%138 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 50%Red vs Brown
Eyes 50%Gray vs Green
79%Possible
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, Maryland - unidentified case UP1856
Jane Doe — Brooklyn, Maryland
UP1856 • Found Jul 27, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 19–23 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 100%6 mi away, same state
TimingFound 19 years after last seen
Height 100%5'5" vs 5'4"
Weight 37%120 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Washington, District of Columbia
UP16571 • Found Feb 6, 2005
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 40–50 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 92%38 mi away
TimingFound 18 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
77%Possible
Jane Doe — Frederick, Maryland - unidentified case UP1665
Jane Doe — Frederick, Maryland
UP1665 • Found Jul 31, 1991
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 15–29 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 89%50 mi away, same state
TimingFound 5 years after last seen
Height 68%5'1" vs 5'4"
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
76%Possible
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - unidentified case UP2721
Jane Doe — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
UP2721 • Found Jan 12, 2000
View case
Sex ✓Female
Age 100%Est. 30–45 vs 23 when missing
Race 100%White
Location 80%84 mi away
TimingFound 13 years after last seen
Height 100%5'3" vs 5'4"
Weight 88%160 lb vs 190 lb
Hair 100%Brown vs Brown
Eyes 0%Brown vs Green

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.