Renewed effort in 27-year-old cold case closes Bay Area park

Hagner, a Palo Alto resident, was last seen on Oct. 14, 1996, at a company office in downtown Belmont where she worked as a product marketing manager, the San Francisco Chronicle reportedin one of many stories that ran in the weeks after the disappearance. Belmont is located on the Peninsula, less than 5 miles north of Redwood City.

The investigation team also searched the rear yard of a home near Stulsaft Park, KTVU reported.

“Basically, we took a look back into the case and opened up the cold case investigation and that’s why we’re out here today,” Lt. Peter Lotti, a spokesperson for the Belmont Police Department, said in a video posted by KTVU. “And really our ultimate goal is to bring closure to the case.”

While the Belmont Police Department is leading the renewed investigation, the FBI said in a statement to SFGATE that it is “providing forensic support with our evidence response team.”

Hagner, a Swedish resident, was 42 years old at the time of her disappearance. She had been living in the Bay Area for more than 10 yearsand was working at Axios Software Co. in Belmont, as well as attending Stanford’s continuing studies program.

“The day she disappeared, Hagner attended a company party and emailed an essay for a graduate course she was taking at Stanford University,” the Chronicle said.

An employee of Axios reported her missing to the authorities on Oct. 16 after she didn’t show up for a few meetings and a class at Stanford.

Her black 1992 Honda Civic was found on Oct. 18, several blocks from her office. It was unlocked, and the keys were in the ignition; there wasn’t a purse or wallet or any significant evidence, the Chronicle reported.

Hagner’s disappearance inspired a huge search effort. Dozens of people were questioned including a former husband and three former boyfriends. A monetary reward was offered by Axios and Hagner’s father. But there were few new leads. “In March 1997, acting on a tip, police searched a vacant home on Page Mill Road,” the Chronicle reported. “They found nothing.”

Police told CBS News that Stulsaft Park will reopen Wednesday. The 46-acre park is popular with dog owners due to a large off-leash area, and families are also drawn to a playground. It’s known for its large wilderness, with a maze of both official and unofficial trails.