MAPLE GROVE, Minn. (KMSP) - Few can relate to the type of agony the Wetterlings have lived with over the past few decades.
“Sometimes it's like yesterday and sometimes it's like an eternity,” says Susan Pagnac.
Amy Sue Pagnac’s mother, Susan Pagnac, recalls the day her 13 year old daughter went missing two months prior to Wetterling, but that's where the similarities end. On the day she disappeared Amy's father, Marshall Midden, took a day trip to the family property in Isanti County. On the way home, he stopped at the Holiday gas station in Osseo. Midden has maintained when he returned to the car from the gas station restroom, Amy was gone.
“For my husband the day is always horrible, says Pagnac. “He's always depressed just before and after.”
Pagnac has served as an advocate alongside Patty Wetterling in years past, and now feels renewed heartache.
“We feel the pain all the time equally, not as bad as the actual family member feels when they get this bad news, but we understand, and we fear that day may come for us. we fear it,” she said.
Hearing some criticism about Danny Heinrich's plea deal, Pagnac believes the Wetterlings made the right call in a difficult situation.
“We understand 100 percent why and support their decision,” says Pagnac. “Marshall and I talked about it and said yup we'd do it too, because we know how important it is every time they talk, they learn things."
Despite temptations to move, Amy's parents continue to live in the same Maple Grove house, with the same phone number, and, above all, hold onto hope.
“Until I have evidence that Amy is gone, I'm still expecting her to walk through that door,” she said.
In 2014, investigators dug up parts of the Pagnac yard. Despite the cloud of suspicion, Pagnac said she was grateful police were doing something. Maple Grove Police say they continue to actively pursue leads in the case, they have never named a single suspect in 27 years.