Investigators in Dane County reveal homicide victim's identity and outline events in the crime investigation within Mazomanie.
A horrific and senseless homicide has rocked the community of Wisconsin, with the investigation centering around a 70-year-old man named Thomas Muckler. The incident occurred at a cabin located in the Town of Mazomanie, where Thomas Muckler's body was discovered.
Thomas Muckler left Madison around 10 a.m. on Thursday, heading towards his cabin on Dunlap Hollow Road. However, things took a tragic turn when he failed to show up at a family dinner that evening, prompting a search that eventually led to the discovery of his body.
Authorities believe a 23-year-old man, whose identity remains undisclosed, was in the cabin when Thomas Muckler arrived. The circumstances leading to the homicide are still unclear, but Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett stated that there is no indication that Thomas Muckler was targeted or that he knew the young man.
The investigation into the homicide is being led by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, while the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office is conducting an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of Thomas Muckler's death. The Marinette County Medical Examiner's Office is expected to identify the suspect.
Meanwhile, a separate investigation is being conducted into a vehicular accident in Marinette County. A Marinette Police Department officer spotted a 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe, which was missing from Thomas Muckler's property. The driver of the vehicle led officers on a chase along US Highway 41 before the vehicle eventually crashed. The suspect was hit and died at a local hospital after two Marinette police officers fired their guns.
The search results do not provide the name of the suspect involved in the accident, but the Dane County Sheriff's Office sent out a statewide alert for Thomas Muckler's 2006 Hyundai Santa Fe.
The investigation into both incidents is ongoing, with the Dane County Sheriff's Office and the Dane County Medical Examiner's Office working separately from the officer-involved shooting investigation. DCI reported finding a sharp-edged weapon at the scene of the officer-involved shooting.
The community is left in shock as they mourn the loss of a member of the elderly community. As more information becomes available, updates will be provided.
