Ettrick death deemed homicide

Several Trempealeau County sheriff’s officers have been working “nearly around the clock” to investigate a death now believed to be a homicide.

“I can’t give you any details,” Sheriff Brett Semingson told the county board Monday, “but when we can talk about it, I think you’ll be impressed.”

In addition to the efforts of his officers, Semingson said the state division of criminal investigation and Jackson and La Crosse counties are helping in the investigation of the death near Ettrick last Wednesday.

Semingson has released few other details about the death, including officially identifying the victim. The death was initially thought to be caused by a car crash. It occurred on Highway 53 near County Road TT in the town of Ettrick between 7 and 9 p.m.

Semingson has called the death an “isolated incident” and that the public is not at risk.

Semingson said he is withholding the name of the victim because of Marsy’s Law, which protects the civil rights of victims. The Times has chosen to not name the victim until officially notified.

Trempealeau County has seen very few intentional homicides, the last perhaps in 2006, according to newspaper archives. 

The department referred to the death as suspicious when it announced an investigation was underway on Friday. On Sunday, the department said that the death was being considered a homicide.

The sheriff’s office thanked residents and businesses for their cooperation with the investigation. Anyone with images or videos near Highway 53 and County Road TT from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday is asked to contact the sheriff’s office at 715-538-4351 or dispatch@co.trempealeau.wi.us.