Body found at High Cliff State Park identified as Starkie Swenson last seen in 1983

WEDNESDAY 12/22/2021 9:54 a.m.

SHERWOOD, Wis. (WFRV) – 38 years after a Neenah man was last seen, his body was identified as the one that two hikers found at High Cliff State Park back in September.

According to the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office, DNA tests were used to identify the human remains found at High Cliff State Park as Starkie Swenson. Swenson was born on March 17, 1916.

Two hikers discovered the body while they were accessing the trails at High Cliff State Park.

Swenson was last seen in Neenah back in 1983. John Andrews from Neenah was previously convicted of charges related to Swenson’s death.

The results of this case have reportedly been handed over to the Calumet County District Attorney’s Office.

The Calumet County Sheriff’s Office thanked the following agencies for their help:

Wisconsin State Patrol
Wisconsin DNR
Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
Harrison Fire Department
Calumet County Medical Examiner’s Office
Calumet County District Attorney’s Office

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh previously had digs in an attempt to find Swenson’s body.

The entire release can be viewed on the Calumet County Sheriff’s Facebook page.

No further information was provided, Local 5 will continue to update this story.

UPDATE: Human remains found at High Cliff State Park belong to ‘older’ post-adolescent man

THURSDAY 9/30/2021 1:44 p.m.

SHERWOOD, Wis. (WFRV) – Calumet County deputies confirmed Thursday the human remains found at High Cliff State Park belong to an older post-adolescent man.

According to authorities, the remains are not associated with any Native American burial site, however, the remains do appear to have been at the location for an extended period of time.

Officials note that the hikers who found the human remains have been identified and located and are cooperating with law enforcement.

The investigation into this incident remains ongoing. The upper park area will remain closed through noon on Friday.

Deputies confirm human remains found at High Cliff State Park, investigation ongoing

WEDNESDAY 9/29/2021 3:50 p.m.

SHERWOOD, Wis. (WFRV) – Law enforcement confirms finding human remains in High Cliff State Park during a press conference Wednesday.

Sheriff Mark Wiegert of the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office says deputies do not know how the remains got there and if they were part of a possible burial ground.

The Sheriff explains it may take a day or so for deputies to process the scene, which they started around 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Until then, he says the park, mainly the upper portion, will be closed overnight, at least.

In the conference, they say their initial investigation shows the remains were in the area for some time, possibly several months. Sheriff Wiegert adds the human remains were likely not found until now because they were in a somewhat secluded area.

Crime Scene Experts on the local and state level will be investigating the area with the Calumet County Sheriff’s Department.

Before Sheriff Wiegert ended the conference, he asked for the two hikers who reported the remains to come forth.

He describes the hikers as a man and women, who spoke to park officials. Deputies say the hikers were not identified and they do not have their contact information, so they are asking the hikers to contact the Calumet County Sheriff’s Office at 920-849-2335 as soon as possible.