Middle: age-progressed to 52 years (circa 2014); Right: age-progressed to 59 years (circa 2021)
Name: Karen Beth Kamsch
Case Classification: Endangered Missing
Missing Since: June 01, 1976
Location Last Seen: Pasadena, Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Date of Birth: January 19, 1962
Age: 14 years old
Race: White
Gender: Female
Height: 5'0"
Weight: 110 lbs.
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Nickname/Alias: Unknown
Distinguishing Marks/Features: Unknown
Dentals: Not Available
Fingerprints: Not Available
DNA: Available
Clothing: Unknown
Jewelry: Unknown
Additional Personal Items: Unknown
In 1976, Karen's grandmother, Olga Kamsch, looked for the teenager at home when she failed to show up for school. She found Karen's belongings, including her winter coat, but not Karen. Karen had moved in with her grandmother on Wishing Rock Road in Pasadena before she vanished because she was having problems with her family.
Family members told police that as a child, Karen was a straight A student who was so smart she skipped sixth grade. It was after the advancement of grade levels that Karen started hanging with the wrong crowd and getting into trouble. She ran away a couple of times and got into normal teenage trouble.
Police were told Karen's father and her grandmother, who has since died, reported the disappearance to police, but detectives don't have records of that report. Checks of computer systems have been unable to verify Karen Kamsch's existence since 1976.
On May 15, 2007, police formally filed a missing-person report. According to school officials Karen attended Brooklyn Park Senior High School through at least June 1976. After talking to family members, police have reason to think Karen may have been abused. Detectives believe her disappearance is suspicious in nature and she may have been murdered.
Agency Name: Anne Arundel County Police Department
Agency Contact Person: Detective Jason DiPietro
Agency Phone Number: (410) 222-8960
Agency E-Mail: P91249@aacounty.org
Agency Case Number: 07719714
NamUs Case Number: MP2387
NCIC Case Number: Unknown
NCMEC Case Number: 1078814
Added: 9/13/07; Last Updated: 02-16-2023 - By: kc
Questions or comments? Please contact appropriate member of the Area Team
** Listed information is from the time of disappearance.
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