The skull was found by a dog in the woods of rural Barron County, Wisconsin. It would take investigators three years and the work of a genetic genealogist to identify it as Gary Albert Herbst, a 57-year-old man who had vanished from his Minnesota home in 2013. The discovery in June 2020 opened a murder investigation into Gary's wife, Connie Herbst, and their son, Austin — both of whom investigators suspect orchestrated his death.
Background
Gary Herbst was described by family and neighbors as a difficult man with a volatile temperament. His sister, Linda Dane, said Gary could be stubborn and crabby, rarely maintaining contact with extended family. In 2013, Gary walked out on Connie and their teenage son Austin, taking $5,000 in cash and Connie's wedding ring, according to investigators. What happened next remains a mystery — but neighbors say they witnessed suspicious activity that night.
When Gary disappeared, Connie did not immediately report him missing. It was only after Linda and her family pressed Connie that a missing person report was filed with the Elko New Market Police Department in Minnesota. In that report, Connie claimed Gary "grabbed a suitcase" and left in an "older gray Honda vehicle," saying she "did not get a look at who was driving." The story would later be called into question by investigators.
In 2017, a dog discovered a skull in the woods of rural Barron County, Wisconsin. The case was submitted to the DNA Doe Project, where investigative genetic genealogist Robin Espensen constructed a family tree that led to identifying the skull as Gary Herbst. Detective Jeff Nelson from the Barron County Sheriff's Office tracked down Austin and Connie at the retirement community where they both worked.
The Investigation
Investigators from Wisconsin and Minnesota, including Special Agent Brent Petersen from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, conducted multiple interviews with Connie and Austin. During those interviews, several red flags emerged: Connie gave inconsistent accounts of her whereabouts the day Gary disappeared, she initially failed to mention that Gary had stolen her 40-caliber gun, and both Connie and Austin were unusually stoic upon learning Gary had been found.
Neighbors Chad and Kaia Kraml, who lived behind the Herbst home, provided crucial testimony. They told investigators that on the night Gary disappeared — during a thunderstorm — they observed a truck backed up to the family's sliding glass door, something Gary would never have allowed given his meticulous nature about the yard. Through their windows, they saw Connie and Austin scrubbing the floors in the middle of the night and loading large garbage bags into Gary's truck.
Kaia Kraml told investigators she turned to her husband and said, "I think they finally killed him." In the weeks following Gary's disappearance, neighbors noticed a dramatic change in Connie and Austin — they were happy, greeting people in the yard, setting up a yard sale that included men's clothing, shoes, tools and ammo boxes. When asked where Gary was, Connie said he didn't want to be married anymore and had left.
Investigators obtained a search warrant for the former Herbst home and brought in Radar, a cadaver dog, along with handler Dan Moldenhauer. Radar detected the odor of human remains in multiple locations — particularly around a red stain in the garage and near the sliding glass door. Crime scene investigators used luminol, which indicated the presence of blood in those areas.
Both Connie and Austin agreed to polygraph examinations. Results showed no signs of deception for Connie, but Austin did show signs of deception during his FBI interview. Investigators confronted Austin about inconsistencies in his story — he initially said his father got into a vehicle and left, then later claimed a heavily tattooed man picked him up. Investigators suspected the story was rehearsed.
Key Takeaways
- Gary Herbst, 57, went missing in 2013; his skull was found by a dog in Barron County, Wisconsin in 2017
- DNA Doe Project genetic genealogist Robin Espensen identified the skull as Gary Albert Herbst in June 2020
- Investigators from Barron County Sheriff's Office and Minnesota BCA suspect Connie and Austin Herbst in Gary's murder
- Neighbors Chad and Kaia Kraml witnessed Connie and Austin scrubbing floors and loading garbage bags at midnight on the night Gary vanished
- A cadaver dog detected human remains odor in the former Herbst home; luminol testing confirmed blood presence
- Austin Herbst showed deception on polygraph; his story about a mysterious tattooed man changed multiple times
- Connie claimed Gary left voluntarily, but never reported him missing for six years despite family pressure
What's Next
The investigation remains ongoing as investigators continue to gather evidence. No charges have been filed yet in the case, but detectives say they are building a circumstantial case based on witness testimony, forensic evidence and the inconsistent statements from Connie and Austin Herbst. The investigation spans multiple jurisdictions, including Barron County, Wisconsin, and Scott County, Minnesota.
The case represents a complex puzzle for investigators — they have identified the victim and developed strong suspicions about family involvement, but without a body or direct confession, prosecutors face significant challenges. Detectives continue to pursue leads and interview potential witnesses who may provide additional information about Gary Herbst's final days.