The Merrill Police Department released information Wednesday morning that they are investigating what appears to be a suspicious death that occurred in the city of Merrill at a residence in the 500 block of Wisconsin Street.
On Tuesday at approximately 3:15 p.m. Merrill Police responded to a call in the 500 block of Wisconsin Street where a male reported that he was checking on the welfare of an acquaintance at an apartment.
Responding officers arrived and found a 55-year-old male deceased in the residence. The scene was then secured by officers.
Police were able to identify a person of interest who was later taken into custody following a single vehicle crash in the Irma area. That crash was reported to the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office at approximately 5 p.m. Deputies arriving at the crash location determined that the vehicle had been reported leaving the Wisconsin Street residence just prior to Merrill officers’ arrival. The driver of the vehicle was not present and had apparently fled the scene of the crash. A search warrant was conducted and eventually a 19-year-old male was located along Hwy. 107 and taken into custody.
The subject is currently being held on an unrelated probation warrant. According to Merrill Police, the victim and the person of interest are known to each other and there is no danger to the public as a result of this incident.
The Merrill Police Department is being assisted in this investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigation, Wisconsin Crime Laboratory and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
The investigation is ongoing.