Monroe Center, WI Area Cold Cases

Name

Brian Dietrich

Age

30

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

He’d planned to take his new baby daughter out trick-or-treating that october night in 1993. Brian dietrich — the son of [then] Clayton county sheriff verdean dietrich — was known for his biker lifestyle and “living off the land” in rural garnavillo, iowa, but made regular trips across the mississippi river to prairie du chien, wis., to sell ginseng.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Crystal Arensdorf

Age

20

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Crystal ann arensdorf, 20, of dubuque, iowa, was last seen at approximately 2 a.M. On july 4, 2001, at knicker’s saloon in dubuque, iowa. Arensdorf had gone to the 2186 central avenue bar with friends and tried to find a ride to east dubuque, ill. No one saw her leave the bar, and she left her car, her keys, and her money behind. She did not show up for work thursday morning. Steven and david peacock — two former dubuque brothers who resided in mount horeb, wisconsin — were at the bar on july 4 and questioned several times in arensdorf’s disappearance. The brothers agreed to polygraph exams in april 2002, and authorities also seized and searched david peacock’s vehicle. The brothers were never charged in connection with arensdorf’s case.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Francis Rafferty

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Francis john rafferty — a 58-year-old millworker — died of asphyxiation after burglars entered his dubuque, iowa home saturday night, feb. 8, 1964, and taped his mouth shut with electrician’s tape. Dubuque police chief robert o’brien said rafferty was tied up with telephone wire and, because his mouth was covered with tape, apparently choked on food he’d eaten earlier.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Jackie Shireman

Age

21

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On saturday, jan. 4, 1975, at approximately 7:45 p.M., a customer at dubuque’s “marino’s meal on a bun” found waitress jackie shireman lying in a pool of blood in the walk-in cooler. The 21-year-old newlywed and sunday school teacher had been stabbed around 30 times with a pair of scissors. A trial returned no homicide conviction, and the case remains open. The following story about jackie’s murder aired on kwwl.Com channel 7 news on feb. 21, 2018. It details how jackie’s sister has never given up on solving her sister’s murder and how jackie’s death affected the family.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Kenneth Bouzard

Age

53

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In the early morning hours on friday, april 23, 1971, kenneth marvin bouzard was clubbed to death and then stuffed beneath a freight car in downtown dubuque

Agency

Iowa

Name

Kenny Johnson

Age

14

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

On saturday, october 10, 1987 around 8:45 a.M., an elderly fisherman discovered the body of a young white male lying on the sandy beach area near a floodgate in dubuque, iowa’s isolated maus park

Agency

Iowa

Name

Lee Rolfe

Age

48

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Lee allan rolfe, a 48-year-old registered sex offender, disappeared from his rural garber, iowa home on april 13, 2008. He was reported missing to the clayton county sheriff’s office in elkader that same day. Lee allan rolfe (courtesy namus) lee allan rolfe (courtesy namus) officials described rolfe — aka “rolfey rolfe” — as a 5-foot-9 white male with blue eyes, brown hair, and weighing 230 pounds. Rolfe wears glasses, has a tattoo of yosemite sam on his upper left arm, and was on anti-depressant medication at the time of his disappearance.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Lyman Elledge

Age

65

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Lyman elledge, 65, was found bludgeoned to death on the front lawn of the barney wiskus home in colesburg, iowa, at about 7 a.M. On friday, september 28, 1951.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Marlon Barber Jr

Age

15

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On oct. 20, 2012, marlon barber, jr., a 15-year-old dubuque teen, was shot in the chest and stomach as he and his friends walked away from a party. He died soon after in the hospital. Another teen was hit by gunfire but treated at a hospital and released.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Paul Knockel

Age

53

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On thursday, oct. 12, 2023, dubuque police responded to a report of a submerged vehicle in the mississippi river. Officials identified the vehicle as a 1981 mercury zephyr and stated the car belonged to paul joseph knockel, who’d been reported missing from dubuque on nov. 26, 1990. N november 1990, the dubuque telegraph herald reported that knockel last had contact with family members on monday, november 12 and that knockel’s car was last seen by a family member the morning of november 13, parked along u.S. Route 151 less than one mile east of the dubuque-wisconsin bridge near the “welcome to wisconsin” sign on the roadway’s south side.Knockel, a lifelong bachelor with no children, missed his usual thanksgiving dinner with relatives and they reported him missing the following monday after he failed to show up at a job at the swiss colony mail-order gift warehouse in monroe, wisconsin, dubuque police told the telegraph herald. Police also said knockel was last seen friday, november 17, driving along a highway in grant county, wisconsin.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Scott Althoff

Age

23

Cause of Death

Hit And Run

Info

Scott m. Althoff, 23, was killed in a hit-and-run homicide west of la motte near zwingle, iowa, on july 21, 2002.Althoff, a lifelong baseball player, had graduated just one year earlier from the university of dubuque with a degree in sports management.Althoff, who lived in eldridge but grew up in la motte, was walking on 300th street near zwingle when an unidentified vehicle struck him and then drove away. A passerby found althoff’s body early sunday morning, july 21, 2002.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Sherrie Martin

Age

8

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Sisters sherrie lee martin, 8, and victoria lynne martin, 4, were killed in an early morning fire on saturday, march 6, 1965, when someone set fire to the family’s dubuque, iowa two-story frame house.The girls’ mother, janet, escaped from the burning home about 3:30 a.M. But said she was unable to save her daughters. The girls were asleep on the home’s second floor when the fire broke out.Janet’s husband, donald c. Martin, a former national guardsman and marine corps corporal employed by the united states postal service, also had a second job and worked the second shift. After the fire, both he and his wife were admitted to the hospital for shock.Martin requested his daughters’ bodies be exhumed to prove his estranged wife had provided the accelerant that led to their deaths. Further investigation determined the fire had indeed been deliberately set and ruled it arson. Both girls’ deaths were then ruled homicides.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Victoria Martin

Age

4

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Sisters sherrie lee martin, 8, and victoria lynne martin, 4, were killed in an early morning fire on saturday, march 6, 1965, when someone set fire to the family’s dubuque, iowa two-story frame house.The girls’ mother, janet, escaped from the burning home about 3:30 a.M. But said she was unable to save her daughters. The girls were asleep on the home’s second floor when the fire broke out.Janet’s husband, donald c. Martin, a former national guardsman and marine corps corporal employed by the united states postal service, also had a second job and worked the second shift. After the fire, both he and his wife were admitted to the hospital for shock.Martin requested his daughters’ bodies be exhumed to prove his estranged wife had provided the accelerant that led to their deaths. Further investigation determined the fire had indeed been deliberately set and ruled it arson. Both girls’ deaths were then ruled homicides.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Theodore Hoerstman

Age

45

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Theodore anthony “ted” hoerstman, a 45-year-old disabled adult, was reported missing to the dubuque police department in dubuque, iowa, on december 6, 1982. Hoerstman, initially listed on the iowa department of public safety’s missing person information clearinghouse, was removed from the site in 2011 and he is now presumed deceased. Date of date is listed as the same day he went missing.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Kenny Johnson

Age

14

Cause of Death

Ligature/Strangulation

Info

Agency

Dubuque Police Department

Name

Linda Wegner

Age

31

Cause of Death

Knife/stabbing

Info

Agency

La Crosse Police Department

Name

Angelina Wall

Age

22

Cause of Death

Undisclosed

Info

Agency

Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office

Name

Amos Mortier

Age

27

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Went missing from the rental home he lived in while attending madison area technical college. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the fitchburg police department at (608) 270-4300.

Agency

Fitchburg Police Department

Name

Beverly Gritzmaker

Age

46

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

On sunday april 20, 2014 the body of 46 year old beverly janet gritzmaker was found in the kishwaukee river, near the kishwaukee gorge forest preserve, 4643 blackhawk road. An autopsy determined that ms. Gritzmaker had sustained trauma to her upper body.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Baby Noah

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On friday july 13, 2012 winnebago county sheriff's deputies were sent to one source recycle (total waste), 12125 n. 2nd street in reference to a deceased infant. Upon arrival it was deterined that a newborn infant male had been found dead on a conveyor belt line by employees of the firm. The company employees immediately called 911 after finding the infant. Garbage was recycled at the plant after having been brought there by multiple regional garbage companies. The winnebago county coroner's office named the infant "Baby noah".

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Michael Scully

Age

61

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On december 11, 2011 at approximately 12:45 a.M. The body of michael scully, age 61, was found in his vehicle parked on the side of the road in the 7800 block of clikeman road in rural northwest winnebago county. Mr. Scully had been shot to death. Michael scully had been the victim of two prior violent crimes. On november 2, 2011 mr. Scully was struck with a tire iron by two unknown suspects when he arrived home from work. On november 9, 2011 mr. Scully was shot in the arm, also outside his home in machesney park.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Constance Hounsell

Age

65

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Mrs. Hounsell, age 65, was found murdered in her home at 6441 alice lane in rockton, illinois on december 27, 2008. She was found in the basement with a stab wound to the neck. The home is in a rural area and there was no sign of forced entry. Mrs. Hounsell was a widow and lived alone in the home. Family members described mrs. Hounsell as a very likable person with a generous spirit.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Marcario Amaya

Age

52

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On november 20, 2008 the body of 52 year old marcario amaya was found stuffed into a large plastic garbage bag in the parking lot of mi casa bar, 1103 s. Pierpont avenue. Mr. Amaya had been shot to death. Mr. Amaya was known to frequent the el-navagante bar at 612 7th street.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Alexander Delgago

Age

17

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

The body of 17 year old alexander delgado was found at west state and garver avenue at approximately 12:51 a.M. On sunday july 22, 2007. Alexander was shot to death.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Sandra Daniels

Age

56

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On sunday january 7, 2007 winnebago county sheriff's deputies were sent to rawley road, north of yale bridge road regarding skeletal remains found in the wooded area. The remains were identified as being those of sandra m. Daniels, 56 of elm grove village, wisconsin. Mrs. Daniels had been reported missing by her husband june 8, 2000. Information developed by wisconsin authorities is that mrs. Daniels had left of her own free will. Mrs. Daniels vehicle was located on june 29, 2000 in bellwood, illinois.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

LeAnn Taylor

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

29 year old leann taylor was found deceased monday december 6, 2004 off the side of the road on bypass 20 near montague road. Ms. Taylor was a know prostitute who frequented the southeast side of rockford. The investigation was conducted jointly by the winnebago county sheriff's department and the illinois state police.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Lottie Flowers

Age

71

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On february 23, 2002 winnebago county sheriff's deputies were dispatched to 730 newport for a medical assist call. Upon arrival they found the victim, lottie flowers, 71 years old in the living room on the home with multiple stab wounds. Mrs. Flowers was transported to the hospital where she later died. Mrs. Flowers was very active in her church and also delivered newspapers at rockford memorial hospital. She had been at the hospital earlier that morning. Mrs. Flowers lived in the house with her husband, son and grandson. She was very well know and loved by all who knew her.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Daniel Myers

Age

32

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

32 year old daniel myers, a carpenter, was last seen with friends at rocky's tap in loves park on april 29, 1998. Daniel's body was found shortly after 10 a.M. On april 30, 1998 lying in the parking lot of monticello liquor store, 2001 cunningham street. He had been shot to death. Daniel's pick-up truck was missing but later found abandoned in the driveway of 411 stanley street.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

David Franks

Age

36

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

The body of david e. Franks, age 36 was found at the dead end of 1300 collingswood on december 5, 1995. mr. Franks had been shot multiple times and the investigation determined that he was encountered at another location and battered and subsequently brought to the collingswood location. It is believed that david was killed as a result of a drug dispute.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Connie Heerdt

Age

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Connie r. Heerdt of rockford was found murdered on tuesday january 15, 1991 at 10:44 a.M. In the parking lot behind doyle's circle k lounge, 3911 sandy hollow road. The winnebago county coroner concluded the cause of death to be asphyxia due to manual strangulation. An investigation by the winnebago county sheriff's department determined that connie worked as a prostitute in the area.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Robert Simmons

Age

31

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

The victim robert l. Simmons, age 31 was shot near the preston street liquor store, 3912 preston street on april 8, 1982. Simmons' father robert simmons had ben involved in a confrontation at the liquor store with another subject when shots were fired and his son was hit. He transported his son to his residence at 801 vista terrace where sheriff's deputies and medical were called. Investigation determined that the confrontation started inside the liquor store and that the shooting of robert simmons, jr. Was a result of the initial dispute.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Loretta Lyons

Age

46

Cause of Death

Beaten/Strangulation

Info

On june 9, 1966 loretta lyons, age 46 was found deceased inside her home on latham road. Mrs. Lyons husband found her on the floor in a pool of blood when he arrived home. There were signs of a struggle in the home; however there was no forced entry. Mrs. Lyons appeared to have been beaten and strangled. It did not appear as though anything was missing from the home. A witness had seen a red ford galaxy near the home.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Octavio Martinez

Age

32

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On august 8, 1962 octavio "Chico" martinez, age 32 and ann emily bergman, age 18 had been at the town lounge, 600 west state street and had won a dance contest. They left at approximately 12:55 a.M. And were walking to their car when they were picked up by an unknown suspect or suspects. Octavio martinez was found shot to death on beltline road near rockford airport about two hours later. Ann bergman's body was found six days later, also shot to death, in ogle county.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Ann Bergman

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On august 8, 1962 octavio "Chico" martinez, age 32 and ann emily bergman, age 18 had been at the town lounge, 600 west state street and had won a dance contest. They left at approximately 12:55 a.M. And were walking to their car when they were picked up by an unknown suspect or suspects. Octavio martinez was found shot to death on beltline road near rockford airport about two hours later. Ann bergman's body was found six days later, also shot to death, in ogle county.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Donald Burton

Age

21

Cause of Death

Beaten

Info

On may 2, 1959 the bodies of donald burton, aged 21 and joseph greco, aged 21 were found in the trunk of a vehicle parked on the side of the road on montague, 1/4 mile east of meridian. Mr. Burton and mr. Greco were known to frequent illegal gambling operations in the northern illinois area. Both mr. Burton and mr. Greco were beaten to death and evidence of gambling paraphernalia was found in the car.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Joseph Greco

Age

21

Cause of Death

Beaten

Info

On may 2, 1959 the bodies of donald burton, aged 21 and joseph greco, aged 21 were found in the trunk of a vehicle parked on the side of the road on montague, 1/4 mile east of meridian. Mr. Burton and mr. Greco were known to frequent illegal gambling operations in the northern illinois area. Both mr. Burton and mr. Greco were beaten to death and evidence of gambling paraphernalia was found in the car.

Agency

Winnebago County Sheriff

Name

Jerrold Strege

Age

43

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On october 11, 2002, jerrold strege was reported missing by his father . Jerrold was last seen on october 2, 2002 at his place of employment in waupun . Wisconsin. His apartment was found to be unlocked with no sings of disturbance in the apertment at the time he was reported missing.

Agency

DodgeCountySheriff

Name

Laura Babe

Age

39

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On september 6, 2007 laura a. Babe , age 39, was beaten to death while in her apartment on washington street in horicon , wisconsin. The apartment wah then set on fire with extensive damage to the apartment complex.

Agency

DodgeCountySheriff

Name

Lori Bogenschneider

Age

34

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On september 7, 1993 the mayville police department (dodge country , wisconsin) took a report of a missing person. Lori bogenschneider, age 34, was last seen in mayville, wisconsin between august 29 and september 3, 1993. Her skeleton remains were found along a country road between iron ridge and mayville on december 7, 1995.

Agency

DodgeCountySheriff

Name

Lofton Sprouls

Age

27

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Outside an apartment building in the nob hill complex, near 1116 moorland road on madison's south side.Deleon d. Harland, 22, of chicago, who prosecutors say is the "Prime suspect" in sprouls' death, is being held in dane county jail on a charge of obstructing police investigating the homicide and could be charged at a later date.

Agency

Dane County

Name

Brittany Zimmermann

Age

21

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

An autopsy report said zimmermann died of "Complex homicidal violence including multiple stab wounds and strangulation." her downtown apartment at 517 w. Doty st., madison.Police are investigating but have no suspect.

Agency

Dane County

Name

Larry Gardner

Age

56

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Oakridge apartments, 2209 cypress way, on madison's south side.Last june, a judge dismissed a felony murder charge against a 16-year-old boy accused of taking part in a robbery in which gardner was shot to death. Prosecutors said the state no longer could prove beyond a reasonable doubt that the boy was an accomplice to an unidentified man who shot gardener.

Agency

Dane County

Name

George Thomas

Age

65

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Thomas suffered multiple forms of trauma, but authorities have not said how he was killed.King's inn, 915 w. Beltline, on madison's south side.Under investigation.

Agency

Dane County

Name

Kelly Nolan

Age

22

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Authorities have not said how she died.Unknown. Nolan's body was found in a wooded area off schneider road in the town of dunn on july 9, 2007.Police are investigating but have no suspect.

Agency

Dane County

Name

Amos Mortier

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Date unknown. He was last seen at his rural fitchburg home nov. 8, 2004 and is presumed to have been murdered. His body has not been found.Jacob r. Stadfeld, 33, who is in jail awaiting trial in an alleged large-scale marijuana distribution scheme, is considered a suspect in mortier's disappearance but has not been charged.

Agency

Dane County

Name

Gregory Bray

Age

26

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

His duplex at 6403 raymond road on madison's southwest side.John high, 36, who is serving a federal prison sentence for gun possession, is considered a suspect in bray's death but has not been charged.

Agency

Dane County