Aug. 27, 2024 2:15p; Edited at 8:40p
(WGTD)---Ronald Dodge.
That’s the name of the man whose decomposed remains were found along railroad tracks in Pleasant Prairie near the state line by a recreational photographer exactly 31 years ago.
It took authorities nearly that long to figure out who he was.
The man’s name—and the relentless search for it—were revealed at a news conference Tuesday at Pleasant Prairie Village Hall.
It turns out that Dodge is a native of the Menominee Indian Reservation in Keshena.
At the time of his death—by gunshot—Dodge was 41 years old and had been living with his wife on Chicago’s north side. She died several months later, apparently of natural causes.
While authorities are overjoyed at being able to attach a name to the body, they’re now searching for the man’s killer.
The death has in fact been labeled a homicide.
Dodge was identified only after his DNA was compared to a national database in a complicated, several-year-long genealogical search. The process was painstakingly slow because relatively few native Americans have their DNA in the database.
Kenosha County Medical Examiner Patrice Hall received word last year that the search was narrowed to the Menominee tribe. The distant relative Hall initially spoke to wasn’t immediately aware of a missing person within the extended family. Eventually, Ronald Dodge’s brother stepped forward with additional information, and the victim’s identity was confirmed.
Hall worked with the family and made arrangements to have the remains transported to the reservation for burial. "It was an honor to be able to help them and learn about Ronald and his family and bring them some closure and answers," she said.
Now the search is on for Ronald Dodge’s killer.
Pleasant Prairie Police Chief Dave Smetana is looking for anyone who remembers having contact with Dodge, either in Keshena or Chicago or anywhere in between. He's asking any contacts to call the department at 262-948-8910 or email tips@pleasantprairiewi.gov.
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