Body of Quinton Armond Morris found in Lake Kegonsa State PK., WI

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/local/309379

Body found at Lake Kegonsa State Park
Wisconsin State Journal
TOWN OF PLEASANT SPRINGS -- A body was discovered Monday evening at Lake Kegonsa State Park, causing the park 17 miles south of Madison to be closed and secured as a crime scene.

The Dane County Sheriff's Office said a report was made at 5:52 p.m. by a state park ranger who discovered the unidentified body in a heavily wooded area while he was conducting prairie restoration, Sheriff's Sgt. Nick Skrepenski said.

Upon arriving at the scene, deputies determined the person was dead and in an "undetermined stage" of decomposition, according to a news release from the sheriff's office late Monday. No information about the age or gender of the body was available from the sheriff's office Monday night.

Skrepenski said investigators were not aware of anyone in the area who was currently missing or unaccounted for.

"We don't have anything (concerning missing people) that we're actively looking at," he said.

The sheriff's office is continuing to investigate the death with the assistance of the Dane County Coroner's Office. Additional information was to be released "when it becomes available," the sheriff's office said.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.channel3000.com/news/17707191/detail.html
body was discovered in Lake Kegonsa State Park in the Town of Pleasant Springs on Monday night, according to the Dane County Sheriff's Department.

VIDEO: Watch The Report


Investigators were combing the scene, but they're waiting for daylight before they try to look further into the victim's identity or the cause of death.

Dane County sheriff’s deputies responded to a heavily wooded area in the park near Stoughton at about 6 p.m., and set up a perimeter 150 yards off of Prairie Trail. The location is a popular loop hiking trail that begins near the park's entrance, WISC-TV reported.

Sheriff's department spokeswoman Elise Schaffer said that a volunteer doing forest restoration work in the area discovered the body and notified a state Department of Natural Resources warden working in the park.

The sex and approximate age of the victim aren't known at this time, authorities said.

"It appears that the body has been out here for sometime," Schaffer said. "We don't know at this point if any foul play is involved. It could have been a natural death. We just don't know at this point."

There was also no indication of what type of clothing the deceased was wearing, which could indicate during what season the person was in the park.

Schaffer said that campers staying in the park overnight will not be asked to leave, but police will keep careful watch of the area where the body was found.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/whatcounts/toptoday/309448
UPDATE: Coroner says forester found remains of a man in Kegonsa park
State Journal staff
The body found in Lake Kegonsa State Park on Monday has been identified by the Dane County Coroner's Office as a man, probably in his 30s or 40s.


Preliminary findings indicate he's a non-caucasian, according to the coroner's office. The body, which was clothed, hasn't been moved yet.

A volunteer forester discovered the body in a heavily wooded area in the park near Stoughton and reported it to a state Department of Natural Resources warden in the park.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/tct/news/309400
The body discovered in Lake Kegonsa State Park Monday afternoon mainly consisted of skeletal remains and had been in the park most likely since the summer, a spokesperson for the Dane County Sheriff's Office said Tuesday.

"What we are looking at is skeletal remains, not several years old but they had probably been in the park from some point over the summer," said Elise Schaffer.

A state park ranger discovered the body near Prairie Trail in the park, on the northeast shore of Lake Kegonsa north of Stoughton, while doing prairie restoration work in a heavily wooded area of the park.

A section of the park was cordoned off Monday following the discovery of the decomposed body, but Schaffer couldn't say if foul play was suspected.

"We have to treat it like a crime scene," Schaffer said.

There was no determination as to the gender, age or identity of the person.

The Dane County Coroner's Office is assisting sheriff's detectives in the investigation.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/whatcounts/toptoday/309448
TUE., OCT 14, 2008 - 7:03 PM
Kegonsa body is a man, in 30s or 40s, coroner says
By PATRICIA SIMMS 608-252-6492
psimms@madison.com
The body found in Lake Kegonsa State Park in the town of Pleasant Springs on Monday has been identified by the Dane County Coroner's Office as a man, probably in his 30s or 40s.

Preliminary forensic findings indicate he's non-caucasian, Dane County Coroner John Stanley told reporters Tuesday, but further identification may take months because the remains are skeletal and further identity will involve DNA and dental testing.

The body, which was clothed, hadn't been moved by late afternoon because deputies were circling the site slowly to get as much evidence as possible from the scene. "There's a lot to be discovered yet," he said. "Right now, we have no ID at all."

Stanley said he doesn't yet know whether the death involved foul play, but said the body had been in the woodsy area near a hiking trail for less than a year and most probably for a few months — some of the bones still retained flesh, he said. "It's clear the body has been here for an extended period," he said.

Like the identity of the body, Stanley said determining the cause of death could take months. "We have no indication about the manner of death," he said.

A volunteer forester discovered the body in the park near Stoughton and reported it to a state Department of Natural Resources warden in the park. Stanley said a forensic anthropologist, a forensic entymologist from Indiana, a dental expert and others are evaluating the body and the death site.

Stanley said some evidence was found with the body, which was discovered some distance off the hiking trail. Information about the body will be entered into a national database of missing persons, he said.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.channel3000.com/news/17713040/detail.html
Authorities Investigate Corpse Found In State Park
Skeletal Remains Found Monday Night

UPDATED: 7:26 am CDT October 15, 2008


MADISON, Wis. -- The Dane County coroner said a decaying corpse found Monday in Lake Kegonsa State Park is that of a man in his 30s or 40s.

VIDEO: Watch The Report

Sheriff's officials said they still do not know the identity of the remains.

Coroner John Stanley said the man likely is non-Caucasian, but a positive identification might take months of DNA and dental testing since the remains are skeletal.

The body was found clothed in a wooded area near a hiking trail at about 6 p.m. Monday. Authorities combed the area Tuesday, gathering evidence.

"From what we know from weather conditions and the condition of the body, it's certainly been more than a few weeks but it's been sometime this year," said Stanley. "We haven't had any opportunity to look into the manner or cause of death. Right now we're protecting evidence and looking for anything that might help us identify this individual."

Stanley said it is too early to tell if foul play was involved.

"We treat all cases in the worst possible scenario first and then work backwards to a natural death," said Stanley.

Authorities set up a perimeter 150 yards off of Prairie Trail and spent at least eight hours combing the area Tuesday. Stanley said investigators have found several pieces of evidence around the perimeter that might pertain to the case.

"We've found a number of things, but I can't comment on what those are at this time because we don't know what they mean. But we've collected some (things); the sheriff's office has some physical evidence," said Stanley.

Stanley said a forensic anthropologist, a forensic entomologist, a dental expert and others are evaluating the body and the site for clues.

The body was removed from the wooded area Tuesday evening.

Most of the Lake Kegonsa State Park is open. The area where the remains were found is closed for the time being. It is a public area that has a volleyball court, picnic tables and a play area leading into the hiking trail.

Detectives are interested in speaking with park employees or anyone who frequents the park and might have information related to this case. Information can be relayed to detectives by calling the Dane County tip line at 608-284-6900.

[PinkPony]

I hope this person is identified soon and his family is given some closure.

PP

[TigressPen]

Somewhere out there a family is wondering where is my loved one. Let's hope this deceased will be identified so his family can give him a proper burial. :1222423:

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/310061
Info sought on body found in state park
Sheriff releases description of clothing

The Capital Times — 10/17/2008 4:48 pm

The Dane County Sheriff's Office released details Friday on the clothing worn by the man whose skeletal remains were found Monday in Lake Kegonsa Park Oct. 13.

The remains are that of a nonwhite man with dark colored hair, wearing Old Navy brand blue jeans and a South Pole brand tan zip-up jacket with green thermal sleeves, the Dane County Sheriff's Office said Friday in a news release. The man might have been carrying an olive green backpack.


The man was in his 30s or 40s and had several dental fillings, according to previous reports. Detectives are asking those who might have seen someone fitting this description in the area of the park in the past couple months to call the Dane County tip line at 284-6900.

Found off a popular hiking trail in the park along the northeast shore of Lake Kegonsa a few miles north of Stoughton, the clothed, skeletal remains had been in the park for several months, possibly a year, according to Coroner John Stanley.

"Several additional forensic studies will be conducted in an effort to establish an identity for the remains, and determine the manner and cause of death." Coroner John Stanley said in a release Wednesday. "Results of those examinations probably won't be available for several weeks."

DNA samples are to be taken from the body to cross-reference the DNA with a national missing persons database. Identification and determining the cause of death might take some time, Stanley said.

The Sheriff's Office and Cornoner's Office continue to investigate the case.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/breaking_news/310711
WED., OCT 22, 2008 - 11:30 AM
Sheriff's office will soon ID body in state park
State Journal staff
The Dane County Sheriff's office will shortly be releasing the name of the partly skeletonized body found in Lake Kegonsa State Park Oct. 13. A volunteer and a DNR Warden working on a forest restoration project discovered the remains of an adult male in a heavily wooded area approximately 150 feet off of a hiking trail in the park.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/wsj/mad/breaking_news/310711
WED., OCT 22, 2008 - 2:12 PM
Update: Illinois man identified as dead man found in Kegonsa park
State Journal staff
The Dane County Sheriff's Office has identified a corpse found in Lake Kegonsa State Park Oct. 13 as a resident of Naperville, Ill.

Quinton Armond Morris, 24, is the dead man, deputies said.

A volunteer and a DNR Warden working on a forest restoration project discovered the Morris' remains in a heavily wooded area approximately 150 feet off of a hiking trail in the park.

Authorities haven't said what they believe killed Morris

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.madison.com/tct/mad/topstories/310771
Body found in state park ID'd
The Capital Times — 10/22/2008 3:46 pm

The skeletal remains found earlier this month in Kegonsa State Park have been identified as those of Quinton Armond Morris, 24, of Naperville, Ill.

Morris' body was discovered Oct. 13 off a popular hiking trail in the park along the northeast shore of Lake Kegonsa, which is located a few miles north of Stoughton.


Shortly after the remains were found, Dane County Coroner John Stanley said the remains looked to have been in the park for several months. Mike Anders, a commander with the Naperville Police Department, confirmed Wednesday afternoon that no missing person report had been filed for Morris with the department.

Although Morris' body was mostly decomposed, enough tissue was recovered during the autopsy performed by the Dane County Coroner's Office to make an identification. The results will be now be verified by using Morris' dental records.

Clothing and other garments found on or near Morris' body when it was discovered included: Old Navy brand blue jeans and a South Pole brand tan zip-up jacket with green thermal sleeves and an olive-green backpack, the Dane County Sheriff's Office reported.

Detectives are asking those with information to call the Dane County tip line at 284-6900http://cdntn.madison.com/images/articles/tct/2008/10/22/89073.jpg

[packy]

Glad they have an identity for him, but I wonder why he wasn't reported missing. I wish they would give some details as to how they had someone to compare his remains to arrive at his identity.

Is this connected to some of the other drownings that have been theorized to be connected to a possible smiley face killer case I wonder.

RIP Quinton

[foxfarmboxers]

Thank God this man's body, has been found. Though in sorry, at least his family can have some peace..tonight.

[Mysticalmom]

http://www.wiba.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=118857&article=4454120
Body found in park identified
Wednesday, October 22, 2008

A decaying corpse found in Lake Kegonsa State Park has been identified as a 24-year-old Naperville, Ill. man.
The Dane County sheriff's office says although Quinton Armond Morris' body was mostly skeletonized, Wisconsin State Crime Lab officials recovered enough tissue at the autopsy to make a fingerprint comparison.

He was in a woodsy area near a hiking trail Oct. 13.

Sheriff's department spokeswoman Elise Schaffer says his family last heard from him about six weeks ago when he was on his way to Canada. He had not been reported missing.

She says detectives are still investigating whether or not foul play was involved.

Toxicology tests could take weeks and Schaffer says it's possible officials will never know how he died.

Investigators are asking anyone who may have known Morris to call them at (608) 284-6900.

[Mysticalmom]

Glad they have an identity for him, but I wonder why he wasn't reported missing. I wish they would give some details as to how they had someone to compare his remains to arrive at his identity.

Is this connected to some of the other drownings that have been theorized to be connected to a possible smiley face killer case I wonder.

RIP Quinton

His family thought he was going to Canada and I guess they didn't report him missing because they knew where he was heading and probably thought he hadn't gotten settled there yet.

They were able to get fingerprints from the remains found and ran it through the system (he had a record for minor offenses) and they were able to identify him that way.

[Nut44x4]

Is this connected to some of the other drownings that have been theorized to be connected to a possible smiley face killer case I wonder.

RIP Quinton

IMO doesn't seem likely as he was found in a woodsy area near a hiking trail...not in/near body of water. I dunno :0009:

[packy]

I see it was a state park. I read it as a lake at first. I guess that explains it that the family thought he was going to Canada. So sad but at least they do have an identification now.

[Faith]

Friends recall man found dead in Wisc.

October 23, 2008

He wanted to become a police officer or a Marine, someone who would make a difference.

And to those who knew him best, 24-year-old Quinton Morris did just that.

"He was striving. Things were looking so good for him," said Manuel Perez, who worked with the young man at Caterpillar in Aurora for more than a year. "I didn't think anything could go wrong."

But things did.

On Oct. 13, two people working on a forest restoration project in a Wisconsin State Park discovered a clothed body in a wooded area about 150 feet from a hiking trail. Though the remains were mostly skeletal, Dane County officials were able to identify them as Morris, a 2002 Waubonsie Valley High School graduate.

"My heart was pounding really bad (when I saw the paper)," Perez said. "I've lost aunts and uncles, but I've never lost a friend, and I didn't know how it would feel."

Family members told Dane County police that Morris was on his way to Canada when he went missing. And, although he hadn't been heard from in six weeks, Morris was never reported missing.

Perez said he last heard from his friend several weeks ago when Morris left his job as a third-shift inspector at Caterpillar to pursue his a career as a law officer.

"It doesn't seem like it was that long ago that he was over to visit us," Perez said in shock Thursday morning. "Fliers are going all around work now with his picture and very brief details," because as of now, that's all officers have to work with.

While working at Caterpillar during the fall of 2007, Morris began studying criminal justice at Waubonsee Community College. He would attend the spring of 2008 semester as well, and then disappear — leaving family and friends to grieve in the wake of his death.

"He was what you would call a model young man," Morris' co-worker, Hercle Brown, said. "I never saw him in an argument."

"It was shock and total disbelief," Brown said on hearing of Morris' death, "and that has to do with his character. It makes no sense to any of us how this could have possibly happened."

Anyone who may have information concerning the case is asked to call the Dane County sheriff's office's tip line, at (608) 284-6900.

http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/news/1239624,naperville-friends-recall-morris_au_102308.article

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