Karen Wilson was 22 and a college student at the University at Albany when she was last seen on March 27, 1985. She left a local tanning salon that evening and was reportedly walking along Central Avenue in Colonie; she never returned to her apartment or made contact with family or friends. Concerned relatives reported her missing after she failed to show up for planned activities.

Local law enforcement searched nearby areas and interviewed friends, family, acquaintances and employees at the tanning salon to reconstruct her last known movements. Despite extensive searches and multiple public appeals, no solid leads or physical evidence emerged, and the investigation went cold as weeks became months. Her family continued to work with authorities and sought public help.

If anyone in Colonie in late March 1985 remembers seeing Karen, her clothing that night, or anything unusual on Central Avenue, please share what you know.