Portage County authorities waiting on DNA confirmation to ID body found in cornfield

PORTAGE COUNTY, Wis. (WSAW) - Portage County Sheriff’s Office is waiting on DNA confirmation on identification following the discovery of a body a week ago.

Sheriff Mike Lukas said the investigation is ongoing.

On Sept. 22, a body was found in a cornfield in the town of Belmont by a farm worker. Authorities said the death at this time is being investigated as suspicious.

Deputies from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office responded and found the body in the cornfield near the intersection of 15th Road and Lein Road. The Portage County Medical Examiner was notified and responded to the scene. It appears the individual had been at this location for some time due to decomposition.

The Sheriff’s Office is working with the Medical Examiner’s Office and the Wisconsin Crime Lab to positively identify the deceased person.

Assisting in the investigation is the Wisconsin Crime Lab, Wisconsin State Patrol, Almond Fire Department and the Portage County Medical Examiner’s Office. At this time, it appears to be an isolated incident and the public is not at any risk.

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