Today marks 18 years since Kelly Nolan’s body was discovered. Eighteen years of heartbreak, unanswered questions, and no justice for the bright and loving 22-year-old whose life was taken far too soon.
Kelly was a vibrant student at UW-Whitewater living in Madison for the summer. She was a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. She had a warm heart, a big smile, and her entire future ahead of her. Her disappearance on June 23, 2007 sparked a massive search effort and community-wide concern.
Kelly was last seen around 2-2:30am leaving The Lava Lounge with an unknown man in downtown Madison after a night out with friends on State Street. When her family and friends didn’t hear from her the next day, they sprang into action by reporting her missing. Tragically, on July 9, 2007, her body was found in a wooded area along Schneider Drive in the Town of Dunn, 10 miles from where she was last seen. Her cause of death was released six and a half years later as blunt force trauma to the torso along with other fractures due to homicidal violence.
For 18 years, no arrests. No suspects named. No accountability.
Despite tireless efforts from investigators and her family, the case remains unsolved. A $25,000 reward is still being offered for information leading to a conviction. Madison Police emphasize that no detail is too small — even something that may have seemed insignificant at the time could help solve this case.
We remember Kelly today not just with sorrow, but with urgency. This person is living amongst us and somebody out there knows something.
Justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied.
If you know anything, please come forward. Let’s not let Kelly’s memory fade. Her life mattered. Her story still matters.