Becker County Sheriff Asking for Public’s Help in Wolf Lake Investigation from 1970s

DETROIT LAKES (KDLM) – The Becker County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public to help with an investigation that stems back to the 1970s.

On April 2, 1976, a fire engulfed the residence of Bernard Rusness, his wife, Peggy McKay, and their 8-year-old son, Brian, near Wolf Lake, MN. The body of Brian was recovered at the scene of the fire, but Bernard and Peggy’s remains were not identified after the fire.

According to some reports, Brian and Peggy’s clothing and luggage was missing as well. Both their vehicles were still on the scene, and their joint bank account was untouched. All of this argued against the idea that the pair had voluntarily vanished.

The unsolved case has sparked nationwide interest over the years with a variety of theories and rumors as to what might have happened, but there is little factual evidence to back up any one theory.

If anyone has any information regarding the incident, you’re encouraged to contact the Becker County Sheriff’s Office at 218-847-2661.

Bernard Peggy Rusness disappearance 06 Mar 1983, Sun Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota) Newspapers.com