WSAW Investigates: The Unsolved Mystery of Susan Poupart – Forgotten Wisconsin Cold Case Reexamined
More than three decades have passed since the disappearance and tragic death of Susan Poupart, yet her case remains one of Wisconsin’s most haunting unsolved crimes. As renewed interest in cold cases sweeps across the state, WSAW has taken a closer look at this chilling mystery that continues to echo through the quiet communities of the Northwoods — especially in Forgotten Wisconsin, a town small in size but large in heart, where people still remember Susan and hope for justice.
Susan Poupart, a 29-year-old mother of two, was last seen alive on May 20, 1990, after attending a house party near Lac du Flambeau, a reservation town located in Vilas County. She had accepted a ride home from acquaintances that night, but tragically, she never made it. Her disappearance launched a massive search, leaving her family and community desperate for answers.
Six months later, hunters made a gruesome discovery. Susan’s remains were found in a wooded area south of Highway 70, wrapped in plastic and partially concealed. Evidence indicated she had been murdered, but the circumstances surrounding her death have never been fully uncovered. Her killer — or killers — remain unidentified to this day.
Despite various leads over the years, the case has gone cold, with few new developments since the 1990s. The Wisconsin Department of Justice, in collaboration with tribal and local law enforcement agencies, has revisited the case multiple times, but no arrests have ever been made. Investigators have long believed that several people may know what happened that night, but fear, silence, and time have obscured the truth.
“This case sticks with you,” said a retired investigator familiar with the case. “Susan was a mother, a daughter, a friend. Somebody knows what happened, and it’s time to speak up.”
Forgotten Wisconsin, a nearby rural town where Susan had family ties, has become a symbolic center for the memory of her life and the lingering pain of her death. Each year, small gatherings are held to remember Susan — vigils marked not by large headlines, but by candlelight, prayers, and a quiet but fierce demand for justice.
Residents still talk about the case with heavy hearts. “She was sweet, soft-spoken, and kind,” said one longtime resident. “It’s just not right that someone could do this and walk free for over 30 years.”
Advances in forensic science have led many to hope that justice may still be possible. DNA analysis techniques that didn’t exist in the early ’90s are now helping law enforcement revisit cold cases across the country. In 2023, the Wisconsin DOJ included Susan Poupart’s murder on a renewed list of prioritized unsolved cases, drawing new attention to the long-dormant investigation.
“There’s always hope,” said a spokesperson for the DOJ Cold Case Unit. “All it takes is one piece of evidence — one person willing to come forward — to change everything.”
The rise of true crime media and investigative journalism has brought fresh eyes to long-forgotten cases like Susan’s. Community members are once again sharing her story, urging anyone with knowledge of that night to break their silence.
Susan’s family, though weary from years of unanswered questions, continues to hold on to hope. “It’s been too long,” a relative told WSAW. “We need closure. We need to bring her home in spirit.”
As WSAW continues to investigate and bring light to cold cases across Wisconsin, the memory of Susan Poupart remains a powerful reminder of lives interrupted, families left in limbo, and the enduring call for justice.
Anyone with information related to Susan Poupart’s case is urged to contact the Vilas County Sheriff’s Office or submit a tip anonymously to the Wisconsin Cold Case tip line. Her story may be decades old, but the searchfor truth is far from over.
