Suspect emerges in 1963 gas station killing
Investigators have made strides in the 52-year-old slaying of Wayne Pratt.
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By Emily Mae Czachor July 17, 2024 rbbm
DNA breakthrough solves 1963 cold case murder at Wisconsin gas station
A young gas station operator in Wisconsin was stabbed to death on June 12. Authorities have never named a suspect in the murder until now.
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''More than a half-century after a man was stabbed to death at a gas station in Wisconsin, authorities believe they've finally solved his murder. Several rounds of advanced forensic testing on DNA samples taken from the scene of the crime eventually led detectives to identify a suspect in the killing, the Winnebago County Sheriff's Office said.''
'Wayne Pratt was found dead on June 12, 1963, inside of an Enco gas station formerly in operation along U.S. Highway 41 in Winnebago, which is about 60 miles southwest of Green Bay. According to the sheriff, Pratt's wife, Marie Pratt, told authorities after her husband's murder that she had discovered his body in the back room of the station, covered with a blanket. He had suffered 53 stab wounds.'
''Three years later, a warrant was issued for the arrest of the suspect, William Doxtator of Bowler, Wisconsin, who was 82 at the time.''
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A detective told Action 2 News they believe this was a robbery that went wrong.
Witnesses said Doxtator needed money. He was getting evicted. He had fines to pay to avoid going back to jail (he served time for stealing gasoline) and he wanted a boat.''