Human remains found in northern Dunn County could be man reported missing 10 years ago
By LeAnn R. Ralph
MENOMONIE — Human remains found by hunters in northern Dunn County could be a man reported missing more than ten years ago.
“Based on the information known at this time, it is believed that the remains found are the remains of Douglas L. Poach, who was last seen on January 3, 2006,” according to a news release from Dunn County Sheriff Dennis Smith that was issued the morning of October 19.
According to the news release, the Dunn County Communications Center received a call at about 9 a.m. Sunday, October 16, that some hunters had located what could be human remains in northern Dunn County.
Dunn County deputies met with the caller at the location that had been given. Dunn County investigators and Dunn County Medical Examiner Chris Kruse also responded to the scene.
The deputies and the medical examiner determined that the remains were human.
Based on where the remains were found and what was found at the scene, investigators reviewed a missing person report from a case in 2006.
“After reviewing the report, they feel it is very likely to be the remains of that missing person,” according to the news release.
The remains were taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s office. The condition of the remains is such that a DNA sample will be needed to positively identify the person.
While investigators believe the remains are that of Douglas Poach, “it is unlikely that a positive identification can be made for approximately 30 days when the DNA sample has been processed at the Wisconsin State Crime Lab,” according to Sheriff Smith.
According to the “Find The Missing” website (www.findthemissing.org), Douglas Poach was last seen at approximately 9:45 a.m. January 3, 2006, at a family member’s residence in the vicinity of the 800 block of 100th Street in Amery.
“There are concerns about his mental well-being, regarding statements he has made. He may be in the Minneapolis/St. Paul, Minnesota, area,” according to Find The Missing.
At the time of his disappearance, Douglas Poach was 53 years old. He was 5’2” tall and weighed 130 pounds.
According to on-line court records, Judge William C. Stewart Jr. issued a bench warrant for Poach’s arrest on June 19, 2006, after he failed to appear for a court hearing in Dunn County on a charge of operating a vehicle while his driver’s license was revoked.
Poach’s address in June of 2006 was listed as Clear Lake. Earlier court records going back as far as 1993 at various times listed Poach’s address as Colfax, Boyceville and Wheeler.
