Missing since: 09/27/86
Missing from: Baltimore, Baltimore County, Maryland.
Classification: Endangered Missing
Date Of Birth: 07/02/63
Age at disappearance: 23
Height: 5’4″
Weight:190 pounds
Distinguishing Characteristics: White female. Green eyes; light brown hair. Pierced ears, beauty like mole on left cheek. Light complexion.
Clothing: Black tank dress, with pink tank top underneath the dress, pink belt, clear pantyhose, pink flat shoes, pink cotton jacket, carrying a bag containing a pink and black jacket in it.
Jewelry: Possibly wearing small earrings, “Mickey Mouse” face watch or gold, small, band watch, and a gold necklace

Details of Disappearance
Bernadette was last seen leaving Shaw’s Jewelry Store  in the Eastpoint Mall in northeastern Baltimore County, Maryland on September 27, 1986. Caruso had completed her work shift at the jewelry store and was seen entering her car in the mall’s parking lot at approximately 5:05 p.m. that day. She had told a co-worker that her estranged husband, Michael Caruso, had called her and she was going to meet him to discuss something. Caruso has never been heard from again. She was supposed to call a friend later that day, but never did. The vehicle she was driving, her grandmother’s gray/green 1982 Chevrolet Cavalier with Maryland license tags numbered FYW-097, has never been recovered. Bernadette was carrying a bag containing a pink and black jacket at the time of her disappearance.

Bernadette was separated from Michael, a Baltimore County police officer, at the time of her disappearance. They were involved in a bitter custody battle over their three-year-old daughter. Their daughter was spending the weekend with relatives on the day Bernadette vanished. Michael was later fired from the police department after being convicted of abusing a prisoner. Witnesses report that he often threatened his wife. He has not been charged in her case, however, nor has he or anyone else been named as a suspect.

Foul play is suspected in Bernadette’s disappearance due to the circumstances involved. Her loved ones describe her disappearance as uncharacteristic of her and they believe she came to harm. Caruso resided in the 4000 block of Rustico Road in Carrollwood, Maryland in 1986. Her case remains unsolved.

Website dedicated to Bernadette’s disappearance

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Baltimore County Police Department
410-887-3943
OR
Maryland State Police
410-486-3101

If you have any information on this case please contact CUE Center For Missing Persons using the contact form below or contact Cue Center at (910) 343-1131 24 hour tipline (910) 232-1687.

All information submitted to CUE Center For Missing Persons is confidential.

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