Police say they are following up on dozens of leads into the murder of Rhonda Mertes, according to chief Jeff Hardel.

"We still have three detectives assigned to the Mertes investigation on a full-time basis," says Hardel. "We have received - since the arrest of James Emerson - probably around 20 leads that we'll need to investigate."

He says police are investigating nearly 50 leads overall.

Emerson was arrested more than two weeks ago.

Mertes' body was found severely beaten on Wausau's east side in early December 1999.

If you have any information about the case, call the Rhonda Mertes Tip Line at (715) 261-7847.