Victim stabbed to death at Devil's Lake State Park identified as 24-year-old Wauwatosa man
Updated: 1:56 p.m. on Friday, October 16
BARABOO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- The victim of a homicide at Devil's Lake State Park has been identified as 24-year-old John Craig Schmutzer of Wauwatosa. Investigators say the cause of death was stabbing.
The Sauk County Sheriff's Office says on Wednesday, Oct. 14, authorities were called to Grottos Trail on the south side of Devil's Lake State Park, and found a 24-year-old man dead from "homicidal violence."
After an autopsy, Schmutzer was identified as the victim. Authorities say in the days prior, Schmutzer traveled to Madison, Wildcat Mountain State Park and the LaValle area.
According to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Schmutzer was a 2018 graduate, majoring in finance. "Our hearts go out to his family and friends on this tragic loss," a university spokesperson said.
Schmutzer was an employee of BMO Harris.Bank.
In a statement Friday, Dave Anderson, managing director of commercial banking at BMO Harris Bank said:
"John Schmutzer was a highly respected and very popular member of our team at BMO, and we are deeply saddened by the news of his passing. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family during this difficult time."
An investigation is ongoing.
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Updated: 12:34 p.m. on Oct. 15, 2020
BARABOO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- A man found dead in Devil's Lake State Park in Sauk County is now being investigated as a homicide. A suspect is still out there.
Wednesday, Oct. 14, authorities were called to grottos trail on the south side of Devil's Lake State Park, and found a 24-year-old man dead from "homicidal violence."
The Sauk County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday, Oct. 15, the suspect left the scene walking west on the grottos trail toward the south shore parking lot. Officials describe the suspect as a male, standing between 5'10" and 6' tall, last seen wearing a dark-colored head covering and a dark-colored face covering.
Authorities are asking anyone who may have been in the area, perhaps taking photos of the fall foliage, to contact officials if they have any pictures roughly between 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Oct. 14.
Anyone with information about this homicide is urged to contact Sauk County Sheriff's Office at 608-356-4895 or the Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1888-TIP-SAUK (847-7285).
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Published: 3:26 p.m. on Oct. 14, 2020
BARABOO, Wis. (CBS 58) -- An investigation is underway in Sauk County after a person was found dead at Devil's Lake State Park.
A call about an injured person was initially reported around 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 14.
Officials with the Sheriff's Office said the death is being investigated as a possible homicide.
The park is currently closed, according to the DNR.