Beth Buege.

MUS-2026-0121

Index entry. Case details compiled from public reporting; our researchers have not verified this file yet.

On the morning of June 3, 1990, 21-year-old Beth Buege was found strangled in the passenger seat of her 1985 Plymouth Laser parked on N. 49th Street in Milwaukee. Fingernail impressions on her neck indicated she fought back, and police determined she was murdered elsewhere before being placed in the car. Investigators had only circumstantial evidence and made no arrest. More than 30 years later her killer has never been caught.

1. 1990-06-03

   Beth Buege, 21, was found dead in the passenger seat of her 1985 Plymouth Laser (license plate FLRT12) at 4943 N. 49th Street, Milwaukee; an autopsy found she had been strangled.

2. 1990

   Medical examiners found fingernail impressions on her neck, indicating she fought for her life, and police determined she was murdered elsewhere before being placed in the car.

3. 1990

   A witness reported seeing her car driven jerkily along the street where it was later found the night she died; investigators had only circumstantial evidence and made no arrest.

4. 2015

   Her brother Bruce told CBS58 he believed someone in the local community knew who the killer was and was protecting them.

5. 2024

   Podcast coverage noted that more than 30 years later, her killer has never been caught.

This case is with the Milwaukee Police Department. If you know something, say something to them. For public-record leads for our researchers, use the tip line on any open file.

• The Cinemaholic: Beth Buege murder case
• Daily Crime: On the Case with Paula Zahn episode
• Front Page Detectives: Milwaukee cold case