12/29/2025
Kelly Nolan – Madison, Wisconsin
June 23, 2007 | 18 Years Unsolved
Eighteen years later, Kelly Nolan’s killer has never been caught.
Kelly had recently lost her father. Hoping for a fresh start, she moved from Waunakee to downtown Madison to finish her senior year at UW–Whitewater.
On June 23, 2007, Kelly spent time at Memorial Union before going out to several downtown bars with friends. When the night ended, her friends went home—but Kelly chose to stay out.
While walking later that night, a man joined Kelly and one of her friends and offered to walk Kelly home. The friend from the café left the area. That man was the last known person seen with Kelly Nolan.
There is no surveillance video showing who Kelly last spoke to or left with.
Kelly was reported missing the next day. Searches included Lake Mendota, the UW campus, and surrounding areas. In the early morning hours of June 24, Kelly made her last phone call to her sister. Cell tower data later gave detectives a general location.
Sixteen days later, on July 9, 2007, Kelly’s body was found on private property in the Town of Dunn—about 11 miles from where she disappeared—near the 4700 block of Schneider Drive, northeast of the Village of Oregon.
Her death certificate was later updated to show she died from homicidal violence, caused by blunt force trauma to the torso with fractures.
A reward of up to $25,000 was once offered for information leading to an arrest. Investigators continue to follow leads, including one that took them out of state in 2011. Kelly’s case has also been featured on playing cards distributed in jails and prisons to generate tips.
No one has ever been arrested
Someone knows who that man was.
Someone knows what happened to Kelly.
If you have any information, contact Madison Area Crime Stoppers at 608-266-6014.
Anonymous tips are accepted.
Even the smallest detail could help solve this case.
