Lacey Anderson of Norfolk, NE, was a 19-year-old woman who vanished from her mother’s home on August 23, 2009, and whose body was found by deer hunters in rural Pierce County nearly three months later. Her death is still unsolved. The Norfolk Police Division, the Madison County Sheriff’s Department, and the Nebraska State Patrol continue to investigate jointly, and as of August 2024 no suspects had been publicly named.1Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Lacey Anderson Death Investigation
When She Was Last Seen
Anderson’s mother last saw her at 4:00 p.m. on August 23, 2009, at their home at 901 Syracuse Avenue in Norfolk.1Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Lacey Anderson Death Investigation The Norfolk Police Division did not open an investigation into her disappearance until August 26. The public record does not explain the three-day gap or identify who formally reported her missing.
One lead that surfaced early: Anderson’s cell phone was turned on about a week after she was last seen, on or around August 24, 2009. Investigators did not disclose who activated it or where it registered. Her father later told a Minnesota newspaper that authorities had “played the case close to the vest” on that detail and others.2Southernminn.com. Daughter of Former Resident Found Dead
Where Her Body Was Found
On the morning of Saturday, November 14, 2009, deer hunters came across a body in a grove of trees in southern Pierce County.3Norfolk Daily News. Body Found May Be That of Missing Norfolk Woman DNA testing confirmed the remains were Anderson’s. The roughly three-month interval between her disappearance and the discovery, the Norfolk Daily News later reported, “limited the physical evidence available to investigators.”4Norfolk Daily News. Family of Lacey Anderson Still Seeking Answers 15 Years After Her Death
Where the Case Stands
Authorities have never publicly released the cause or manner of Anderson’s death. Her family has consistently described her as having been murdered, and her mother, Pam Bals, and grandmother, Karen Schmode, have said publicly that they believe “the killer or killers are still out there.”4Norfolk Daily News. Family of Lacey Anderson Still Seeking Answers 15 Years After Her Death
The investigation crosses county lines. Anderson disappeared from Norfolk in Madison County, but her remains were found in Pierce County, so both county attorneys’ offices have been involved alongside the Nebraska State Patrol.4Norfolk Daily News. Family of Lacey Anderson Still Seeking Answers 15 Years After Her Death Court documents referenced in reporting indicate Anderson had been a witness in other criminal cases and had provided information to law enforcement before she went missing. She was also facing revocation of probation at the time, on DUI and felony charges connected to a drive-by shooting.3Norfolk Daily News. Body Found May Be That of Missing Norfolk Woman The file does not state whether investigators have linked either circumstance to her death.
In August 2024, around the 15th anniversary of her disappearance, Madison County Attorney Joe Smith said investigators had recently interviewed an individual in connection with the case and were still pursuing leads.4Norfolk Daily News. Family of Lacey Anderson Still Seeking Answers 15 Years After Her Death The case remains open.
How to Submit Information
The Madison County Sheriff’s Department still lists Anderson’s death on its unsolved-cases page and asks anyone with information to call one of the following:1Madison County Sheriff’s Office. Lacey Anderson Death Investigation
- Madison County Sheriff’s Department: 402-454-2110
- Norfolk Police Division: 402-644-8700
- Nebraska State Patrol: 402-370-3456
- Norfolk Area Crime Stoppers: 402-371-7300
- Nebraska Crime Stoppers: 800-422-1494
Who She Was
Anderson was born June 9, 1990, in York, Nebraska, and graduated from Norfolk High School in 2008.5Home for Funerals. Lacey Anderson Obituary She also spent time living with her father in Minnesota.6Norfolk Daily News. Friends, Family Reflect on Lacey Anderson After high school, she worked at local businesses in Norfolk, including a restaurant called Simple and the Imperial Palace. She was 19 when she disappeared.