Reward Offered in 1987 Disappearance of Wadena Woman
Published: June 16th, 2026
WADENA MN: A reward of up to $25,000 is being offered for information that helps investigators locate Carla Beth Anderson or identify the person or persons responsible for her disappearance nearly four decades ago.
According to a June 15, 2026, announcement from Spotlight on Crime, the reward is being offered in connection with the unsolved disappearance of Anderson, who was 23 years old when she vanished from her Wadena home in November 1987.
Investigators believe Anderson disappeared sometime between approximately 8 p.m. on Nov. 13, 1987, and noon on Nov. 14, 1987. Despite what authorities describe as an exhaustive investigation involving hundreds of interviews and leads, no arrests have been made and Anderson remains missing.
According to investigators, Anderson returned to her residence at the Greenwood Apartments around 8 p.m. on Nov. 13 after spending the evening with her mother and stepfather, during which they had dinner and rented movies.
Authorities said Anderson was scheduled to report to work the following day at noon but never arrived and did not answer repeated phone calls from people attempting to contact her.
Investigators reported finding no signs of forced entry or a struggle inside Anderson’s apartment. Her door was locked and her purse remained inside. The only items reported missing were her apartment keys and a Hardee’s jacket. One of the rented movies was still in the VCR.
According to the release, investigators do not believe Anderson voluntarily disappeared and have not identified a motive for anyone to harm her. The case remains one of Minnesota’s long-standing unsolved missing person investigations.
Spotlight on Crime said the reward is intended to encourage anyone with information about the case to come forward.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Wadena Police Department at 218-631-7700 or the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension at 877-996-6222 or by email at bca.tips@state.mn.us. Information can be provided anonymously.
Carla Anderson was 23 years old at the time of her disappearance and would now be 62 if alive. The investigation remains active.