The cases for three missing women from Northeast Wisconsin are still open and unsolved.
In our two-part series, we investigate deeper into the lives of Victoria Prokopovitz, Amber Wilde and Laurie Depies.
In Part One -- we focus on Victoria Prokopovitz.
Even though more than three years have passed for Victoria Prokopovitz's daughter, Marsha Loritz, she'll always continue to look.
“When you're driving, you're looking,” said Loritz. “Even when you know it's not going to happen, you're still looking.”
Nothing has been the same since April 2013.
“It's been a nightmare ever since,” said Loritz. “We done searches on our own, we've have search teams come in.”
Her mother was last seen at home. She left behind her purse, ID, money and her cell phone. She had a history of some depression, but was doing well.
“She was happy, she didn't seem depressed,” said Loritz. “She just recovered from colon cancer the summer before.”
“She did not life a high-risk lifestyle,” said Det. Sgt. Roman Aronstein with the Brown County Sheriff’s Office.
Brown County Sheriff’s Office has partnered with more than 100 law enforcement personal -- using investigators, search and dive teams, K-9's and horses.
“They've been amazing. They've answered any question that I’ve had for them,” said Loritz.
At this point, it's classified as a death investigation, according to detectives.
“By their nature, they're very exhaustive and very distinct,” said Det. Sgt. Roman Aronstein.
That leads to more resources and special treatment versus a missing person’s case.
“There are nights we don't go to sleep because what we know, what we've found out, what our to-do list is, we ponder that,” said Special Agent Jay Yerges with the Department of Justice, Division of Criminal Investigation.
There's currently a reward for $17,000.
NBC26 asked if there's a suspect or person of interest. Investigators say they can't release any information that might jeopardize the case.
“I need closure,” said Loritz. “And if that means my mom is no longer alive, I still need to know what happened and why she's not here.”
Investigators say this common.
“In missing person cases, the torment of not having them and not knowing, lingers. Moment to moment, day by day, week to week, month to month, year to year,” said Special Agent Jay Yerges.
Loritz has taken her mother's case and used it to reach out to other families of missing people. She explains it's a bond no one can understand unless you've gone through it.
“You're kind of in the twilight zone, and you don't fit in,” Loritz.
She worked to get Governor Walker to declare a Missing Persons Awareness Month.
“She's suffering this pain in her life that she has in her personal life, she's seeing a more global picture,” said Det. Sgt. Roman Aronstein. “She's been a voice for all missing persons.”
She’s also attended missing person’s events and had billboards donated featuring other missing people.
“It is a very tumultuous thing -- that you never heal from,” said Special Agent Jay Yerge.
For Loritz, she explains she's found peace with her mother's disappearance. But now -- she needs closure.
“My mom deserves to be found and i hope people realize she's a person. It's hard to think that from a poster, but she is a person,” she said.
Investigators want to stress no tip is too little. If you have the slightest feeling you might know anything connected to the case, even someone acting out of the ordinary -- please report it. The smallest piece might be exactly what they need to bring these women home.
Anyone with information should contact: Brown County Sheriff’s Office Investigative Division (920) 448-4230.
Part Two of our series will air Monday, Oct. 31 on NBC26 Live at 10:00, we will future Laurie Depies and Amber Wilde.
