11/30/10: Joe Sjoberg, 22, Madison, WI

Joe Sjoberg (pronounced: SHOW-BERG), 22, was last seen Tuesday, November 30, 2010. Joe, who lives in Madison, Wis., was last seen on the near East side of Madison on North Baldwin Street. Sjoberg who is originally from Seattle, Washington, was reported missing by his roommate after he didn't show up at home or at work. He was last seen at work on Monday, Nov. 29, 2010.

Madison police investigated Joe's disappearance and found that his car and cell phone were gone. The cell phone appeared dead and Joe had not contacted any friends or family, something that was considered to be very uncharacteristic of the young man.

"Nothing has been found that would indicate he is the victim of a crime, but police are trying to locate him," said police spokesman Joel DeSpain. They hoped that Sjoberg just needed some time away and would return on his own.

According to the Seattle Times, "Sjoberg, who spent the Thanksgiving holiday with three of his four siblings in New York days before he disappeared, had shown no signs of depression, his parents said. Although a search of his computer at work showed he had visited some websites that discuss suicide, his parents aren't jumping to conclusions." Sjoberg's family posted on Twitter, Reddit, Craigslist, Facebook and also created a Web page. The Facebook page had more than 12,000 members.


Car found with remains inside

In late March 2010, Madison police confirmed that a burned out car found in a field on Monday, Mar. 28, outside of Columbus, WI, belonged to Joe Sjoberg. Human remains, later identified as Sjoberg's, were found inside the car.

The car was found by a farmer trimming along a fence line at 11:15 a.m. on Monday, Mar. 28. He described the remains as "only bones."

Columbia County Sheriff Dennis Richards told WISC News.com, that the car was found 500 yards off a road and within sight of Highways 16, 60 and 151, yet it was difficult to spot without looking directly at it.

"It was out in the elements for a while," Richards said.

He added that the fire that burned the vehicle appeared to be very hot, as all that was left of the car was metal.

"They are literally picking out piece by piece in that car," Richards said. "It's a very, very time-consuming task that they are taking on right now."

The State Crime Lab used body fragments to identify the body, Columbia County authorities said.

The Associate Press has reported that "Law enforcement sources say Sjoberg's cell phone had pinged in the area in December and there were plans for a ground search [that] weekend" because the snow had melted.

According to the article, Madison police said foul play wasn't suspected.''


About Joe Sjoberg

Photo Credit:
Carleton College

According to the Seattle Times, Joe Sjoberg graduated from Seattle's Roosevelt High School in 2006. He was a former Washington state elementary-school chess champion. He attended college at Carelton College in Northfield, Minnesota, where he was captain of the swim team and won best of meet in some competitions. He has been described as an excellent student, sociable with many friends, and a lot of confidence.

Sjoberg, had graduated from college in June and started working for Epic Systems, a Madison-area software company, in July.

Joe's obituary reads, "His easy smile, exuberance, booming laugh, and his loving and compassionate heart, were a light in our lives for almost 23 years. We are profoundly grateful for the time we had with him. We will miss him more than we can ever say, but take solace in knowing that he will live on in our hearts and in memories of the multitude of people whose lives he touched." (Legacy.com)

Credit: Carleton College

A memorial service was held at the Carleton College chapel on May 28. A funeral was held on June 4 at St. Matthew's Church in Seattle. The service included a Mass and was followed by a reception at Roosevelt High School Theater. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be sent to either of two funds set up in Joe's honor:

Roosevelt Drama Joe Sjoberg Memorial Fund
Checks made out to AFORD (Associated Friends of Roosevelt Drama)
Memo: Joe Sjoberg Memorial Fund
PO Box 15886
Seattle, WA 98115
For more information, contact: robertsjobergiii@gmail.com or patmarcus43@gmail.com.

Carleton College Joe Sjoberg Memorial Fund
Online: give.carleton.edu

By phone: Carleton's Gift Accounting Office at 800-758-9441.

Mail: Carleton College, Gift Accounting, 1-CENREC, 1 N College St, Northfield, MN 55057.


Facts of Interest
Name/age: Joseph S. Sjoberg, 22
Last seen: 11/30/10, Madison, WI

Physical decription: 5'10, 180-200 lbs with short, light brown hair and hazel eyes. According to his roommate, he had three or four weeks worth of beard when he was last seen. He may have been wearing a hoodie and/or a ski jacket and grey casual sneakers with red trim, described as being " a bit beat up."

Notes: Sjoberg drives a gray 1991 Chevy Caprice with Washington license plate 513 WYN.
Investigating Agency: Madison Police Department

First published: 12/30/10. Updated: 03/13/11, 06/17/11.