Superior Police Dept. Releases Timeline Of Response To Missing Woman Case
SUPERIOR, Wis. — The Superior Police Department released a timeline Monday of its response to a missing person case involving Corrine Johansen, 40, of Superior. The full release is below:
The Superior Police Department is releasing an extended update to provide the community with a clear timeline of events related to the disappearance of Corrine Johansen and the steps taken by officers, investigators, and partner agencies in the ongoing effort to locate her.
On the morning of August 5, 2025, at approximately 9:30 a.m., officers were dispatched to Corrine’s residence on North 26th Street after her 18-year-old son reported she was throwing items, speaking incoherently, and not wearing clothing. Officers arrived within minutes, accompanied by Mayo Ambulance and the Superior Fire Department, who were staged to provide medical assistance. Corrine briefly spoke with officers when she answered the door and initially invited them inside, but after her father objected, she closed the door and refused further contact. Paramedics attempted to speak with her as well, but Corrine again shut the door. Family members declined to provide officers with her phone number, making further contact attempts difficult. Because there were no immediate signs of danger and no legal justification to force entry, officers remained in the area for a short time before leaving at the insistence of Corrine’s father.
Later that evening, at approximately 6:55 p.m., Corrine’s 15-year-old daughter reported her mother missing. She told officers that Corrine had left the residence around 3:00 p.m., wearing a navy-blue top, sweatpants, and no shoes. Corrine’s vehicle remained parked at the residence, and she had made no suicidal statements nor was she known to have any medical condition. Officers attempted to call Corrine directly but received no answer, and initial area checks were unsuccessful.
On August 6 at approximately 10:00 p.m., Corrine’s 18-year-old son provided additional information. Given that she had been missing for more than 24 hours and based on the concerns shared by her family, Corrine was officially entered into the National Crime Information Center as a missing person. Information was circulated through the department’s briefing system. Over the next several days, many leads were developed, including possible acquaintances in Duluth and Superior. Family members also organized independent searches in the community. The Superior Police Department received reports of sightings from Ashland to Ely, and all leads were investigated.
On August 11, the case was assigned to the Detective Bureau as a high-priority matter. Detectives immediately began following up on leads, reviewing surveillance video from nearby businesses and the Superior High School, and conducting searches of relevant areas. That same day, at approximately 12:50 p.m., officers responded to the area near the railroad tracks at North 28th Street after searchers located prescription pill bottles and a debit card belonging to Corrine. The items were collected as evidence. Officers requested a drone from the Duluth Police Department, and a drone search of the surrounding area did not locate any additional signs of her.
Two days later, on August 13 at approximately 7:42 p.m., officers responded again to the same general area after footprints were reported about twenty yards south of North 28th Street near a railroad access road. Some of the impressions appeared to be barefoot, while others appeared to be shoe prints. Officers photographed and measured the prints and deployed a drone to aid the search, but thick vegetation and diminishing daylight limited the ability to fully examine the area. At this time, investigators cannot confirm whether the footprints are connected to Corrine, but they believe it is likely.
On August 17 at approximately 1:00 p.m., searchers discovered Corrine’s cellular phone near the railroad tracks by Superior High School. Additional items were located nearby, including a dried red substance on the ground and on a rock. Based on this discovery, the Superior Police Department, along with the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office SRT, the SPD Emergency Response Team, the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, and community volunteers, conducted a large-scale coordinated search of the area. The operation covered wooded and industrial properties stretching from North 28th Street south to Kirk Rolson Street and east toward Hill Avenue. The search concluded at approximately 8:30 p.m. and is scheduled to resume today at noon. Tests confirmed the red substance was not blood.
The Superior Police Department also wishes to address questions that have been raised on social media regarding the use of department K9s. Our K9s are trained in narcotics detection and the apprehension of dangerous subjects. While tracking is part of their skill set, their ability to follow a scent diminishes significantly after the first few hours. Because Corrine has been missing for days, traditional police K9s are not an effective resource in this search.
This remains an active missing person investigation. Detectives are continuing to follow up on all leads and coordinate with regional partners to locate Corrine. Our officers are actively looking for her every day.
This case remains our top priority. We are committed to exhausting every lead and every resource to find Corrine and bring her home safely. We are grateful for the support and tireless efforts of her family, our community, and our regional partners.
Anyone with information about Corrine’s whereabouts is urged to contact the Superior Police Department by calling 911. Information may also be submitted anonymously. Corrine Johansen is described as a female, age 40, approximately 5’7” tall, 130lbs, with brown hair and green eyes. She was last seen on August 5, 2025, wearing a navy blue top and sweatpants, with no shoes.
The Superior Police Department will continue to provide updates as new information becomes available.
RELEASE AUTHORITY:
Chief Paul Winterscheidt
Superior Police Department
