WI WI - The Capital City Murders - UNSOLVED

[Trino]

The LaCrosse drownings haven't been related to swimming. The bars are within a block or two of the rivers (Black and LaCrosse Rivers join the Mississippi at LaCrosse). Unfortunately, kids go into town and drink until they can no longer stand straight. While there are buses to take them back to campus, it may be dark, and they may be confused. (Have you noted it's a male problem?)

There were no fences along the river and in some places it's a 10ft. or more drop - right in downtown LaCrosse.

LaCrosse definitely has a student drinking problem. Bar offer all-you-can-drink specials for $5. Shots are a $1. Bottles of beer can be had for a dollar on Wednesdays. Oktoberfest is a days long party.

Maybe you're thinking that most college age kids are underage? Really? Has someone told the bartenders?

 

[SewingDeb]

Here's the FBI story which lists many young men who have died there:
http://wcco.com/crime/local_story_246173047.html

 

[SeriouslySearching]

And not everyone believes the FBI.

Viterbo junior Tina Kothbauer, 20, of Durand, said she thinks police are squelching the serial killer theory to avoid publicity, and she doesn't think the safe drinking campaign will do anything.

http://wcco.com/crime/local_story_246173047.html

We have Oktoberfest on the river here with no fences and with people drinking to excess...yet to my knowledge...we haven't had a single episode with people walking into the Arkansas after a night of drinking! We don't have fences to prevent it or people "on patrol" either. So the FBI wants us to believe these men (never older men, but students)...never women...simply "walk or stumble" into the river on a regular basis and drown. OK. Sure...why not?

It is much easier to believe the FBI cannot find any proof of foul play so have to therefore conclude the drownings are caused by drinking and irresponsible college males. They are going off of what was said by near drowning victims, but they aren't giving up anything to back up their reasoning by not releasing their reports. They should open the records and allow, in particular, the parents of students on that campus to be able to view the findings.

 

[Trino]

The drownings in LaCrosse are mostly colder weather related - nothing in summer - not very surviveable in this climate, especially when someone is drunk. As I recall, in every single one of the last drownings, there was absolutely no sign of trauma and major alcohol was found in the student's systems. One student had an underage drinking citation in his pocket. I cannot see a coroner covering up such cases.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

So these "drowning" incidents don't take place in the summer or have all those males survived? I know there must be many college aged males who still live in and around there during the off months to work or take summer classes. Perhaps they don't drink during the summer as much? It would seem to me that the "drownings" would take place all year round if it is so common and accidental.

 

[Trino]

LaCrosse isn't a big school. I'm guessing some serious students stay around during the summer, but most LaCrosse students probably go back home, find jobs, etc. Truthfully, there isn't much to do in LaCrosse.

LaCrosse is a DIII school, pretty much in the same category as Luther, Buena Vista, Cornell, Loras, Wartburg, as examples. All are located in small towns with not much there but bars. It's not at all like Madison.

 

[mssheila]

There is now a missing student from an Illinois high school who's car has been found near a river in Baraboo WI. Here is a link to the story:

http://newsfeedresearcher.com/data/articles_n43/idn2007.10.23.19.15.17.html

Here's his thread at WS:

http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55295

Considering where his vehicle was parked, this might become a drowning in this area that will look like it's yet another "accident"
WHERE IS LEE CUTLER?

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Wow! Were you reading my mind or what, Sheila?! I was just on his thread and it clicked. I was so surprised to see this thread had popped up!! WTG!

I do find it very disturbing. I have been following his case in the media and something kept bugging me about it. It was the location!

 

[SeriouslySearching]

Bumping up!

 

[Patience]

Hello to everyone, I have been watching and reading this thread since it started and often come to see if there is anything new on these cases. The research you have done here is comendable. I hope I can post the Wisconsin Missing site here. It is not completely updated but hope it helps.

P.

http://www.missingpersons.doj.wi.gov/missingkids/

 

[Patience]

I find this map site to be very useful, hope it's ok that I share it here.

http://www.missingadultsmap.com/

Help Find Missing Adults in the United States and Canada

MissingAdultsMap.com uses the Google Maps API together with information from the National Center for Missing Adults (NCMA) to display a current map of the origins of missing adults in the United States and Canada. If you rollover the name of the missing adult or click on a marker on the map an information balloon appears with case details on the missing adult. We hope that by presenting the NCMA information in this manner this site will contribute to enhancing awareness of missing adults cases in the United States and Canada.

 

[SeriouslySearching]

I think we can add two more to this list until otherwise solved by Madison Police Department.

Joel Marino: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/sh...light=Madison%2C+WI+Homicide:+Joel+Marino

Brittany Sue Zimmermann: http://www.websleuths.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62895&highlight=Zimmerman

 

[SeriouslySearching]

While this doesn't relate to the women on this thread, it certainly relates to the men:

Could there be a calculated, cross-country plot to kill young college men, including some in Minnesota? It seems a little hard to believe, but two New York detectives say, they can prove it.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s421846.shtml?v=1

 

[DeltaDawn]

While this doesn't relate to the women on this thread, it certainly could relate to the men:

Could there be a calculated, cross-country plot to kill young college men, including some in Minnesota? It seems a little hard to believe, but two New York detectives say, they can prove it.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s421846.shtml?v=1

SS..I thought about you when I watched this video this morning..they do have some Wisconsin vics listed on the interactive map at that link.

The smiley faces and the tip to the avenue in the other state, where another body was found in the water..it does appear to be some kind of crime group that are interelated across the country. This is very creepy.

http://kstp.com/article/stories/s421937.shtml?cat=63

SNIP/
Minnesota and Wisconsin victims that detectives believe may be related (INFORMATION FROM DET. KEVIN GANNON)

Wisconsin
1) Charles Blatz 28 yrs
Missing-9/28/97 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found-10/0397 -- Mississippi River --BAC (0.20)
2) Anthony Skifton 19 yrs
Missing-10/10/97 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found-- 10/20/97-- Mississippi River --Bac (0.23)
3) Nathan Kapfer 20 yrs
Missing-2/22/98 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found---4/04/98 -- Mississippi River -Bac (0.22)
Third (3rd) child missing within five (5) months, (9/20/97 ---2/22/98). Not just the same state but the same town of La Crosse.
4) Jeffrey Geesey 21 yrs.
Missing-4/11/99 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found---5/24/99 - Mississippi River - Bac (0.42)
5) Craig Burrows 23 yrs.
Missing-9/29/02 Eau Claire, Wisc.
Found--10/06/02 - Half Moon Lake
6) Michael Noll 22 yrs.
Missing-11/06/02 Eau Claire, Wisc.
Found-----8/19/03 - Half Moon Lake
7) Nathan Herr 21 yrs.
Missing-01/10/03 Sheboygan, Wisc.
Found----3/15/03 - Lake Michigan
Third (3rd) child missing within less than three (3 1/2) months, (9/29/02--01/10/03)
8) Jared Dion 21 yrs.
Missing--4/10/04 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found----4/15/04 -- Mississippi River -Bac (0.40)
9) Joshua Snell 22 yrs. (in from Minnesota for a wedding)
Missing-6/12/05 Eau Claire, Wisc.
Found---6/15/05 - Chippewa River
10) Cullen Fortney 21 yrs.
Missing 1/08/06 Mississippi River La Crosse, Wisc.
Found---1/08/06 - ALIVE Bac (0.043-0.1643)
11) Kenji Ohnri 20 yrs.
Missing-01/28/06 Madison, Wisc.
Found----6/19/06 - Lake Mendota
12) Lucas Homan 21 yrs
Missing-9/30/06 La Crosse, Wisc.
Found--10/02/06 - Mississippi River

Minnesota
1) Ken Christiansen 19 yrs.
Missing-4/13/01 Duluth, Minn.
Found---4/16/01 - Chester Creek
2) Christopher Nordby 27 yrs.
Missing-11/07/01 Minneapolis, Minn.
Found-----2/11/02 - Mississippi River
3) Christopher Jenkins 21 yrs.
Missing-10/31/02 Minneapolis, Minn.
Found---02/27/03 - Mississippi River
4) Joshua Guimond 20 yrs.
Missing-11/09/02 Collegeville, Minn.
Found---( ) Never Found
5) Jeremy Stienkeoway 24 yrs.
Missing-01/20/03 Hinckley, Minn.
Found----4/10/03 - St. Croix River
6) Patrick Kycia 19 yrs.
Missing-9/23/05 Moorhead, Minn.
Found---9/28/05 - Red River
7) Scot Radel 21 yrs.
Missing-02/02/05 St. Cloud, Minn.
Found-----3/01/06

/SNIP

 

[newshound81]

Even though no body has been discovered, is it possible that Brian Schafer could be a victim of these killers? Ohio isn't too far from the other states.

 

[DeltaDawn]

Even though no body has been discovered, is it possible that Brian Schafer could be a victim of these killers? Ohio isn't too far from the other states.

I posted a link to this video on Brian's thread at Blink34's request.

 

[Soonerbabie]

All I can say is wow. You guys were right on target. I wonder when we will find out more about this "group"? Why in the world would they be doing this for? What do you guys think?

 

[SeriouslySearching]

There were many people who always felt they were too coincidental to have been tragic accidents. It never made sense.

As far as who this "gang" of people are that the Detectives reason to have done this...my initial theory would be it is connected to a college underground group perhaps associated to a fraternity or an internet group. As they are finding them to be connected in different states, it would suggest they definitely have a common goal or motive. They have to be in contact. Like they mentioned, there is even a Hierarchy involved.

 

[RR0004]

Hope you are well, Blink...and rested.

The University of Wisconsin has had more than their share of tragedy.

 

[mssheila]

Interesting article in today's paper...... SS- I thought you'd particularly find this interesting......

http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=22643

Fresh hope in old murder case
Bill Lueders on Thursday 05/15/2008 http://www.thedailypage.com/isthmus/article.php?article=22643#articleComments

A recent Wisconsin State Journal story on the upcoming 40th anniversary of UW-Madison student Christine Rothschild's brutal murder contained this discouraging line: "The trail of the murderer could not get any colder, unless the killer is dead too."
Linda Schulko, a friend of Rothschild's who is planning a memorial at the UW Carillon Tower on May 26, 11 am, begs to differ. She finds ample reason to suspect a particular individual, especially in light of information she uncovered two years ago.
In July 2006, after Schulko wrote about the case in an alumni magazine, she received a letter from Rev. Kay Krebs, a pastor in Colorado. It related that on May 26, 1968, when Krebs was a student working at UW Hospital, a surgery resident walked into a hallway where she was gazing outside at a storm and said, "Nice day for a murder."
<SNIP>