WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 2
In 2021, we set out to cover the case of Rhys Pocan, a 35-year-old Indigenous woman who was murdered in Wisconsin in the ‘80s. But while we were in the field, we uncovered a disturbing pattern of murders with similarities to Rhys’ that were just too blatant to ignore. So, we spent the next three years working with local and federal law enforcement to try and get to the bottom of it.
In Part 2, we look into cases of two other female dismemberment victims in Wisconsin with striking similarities to Rhys Pocan’s. Rhys’ own cousin Rae Tourtillot’s remains were found just two years before Rhys’ disappearance. And Julia Baez’s remains were found buried in plastic bags the year after. But without a statewide task force, investigators are slow to put things together.
If you have any information about any of the cases below, please contact Det. Nathan Hatch at the Sheboygan County Sheriff’s Office at 920-459-3135, or email him at [email protected]. You can also reach out to us at [email protected]. Other Wisconsin cases to note:
- Jane Doe, 1982, Caledonia, Columbia County
- Helen Sebastian, 1983, Racine, Racine County
- Eric Hansen, 1983, Petrifying Springs Park, Kenosha County
- Jane Doe, 1984, Westby, Vernon County
- Terry Dolowy, 1985, LaCrosse, Vernon County
- Rae Tourtillott, 1987, Menominee Reservation
- Rhys Pocan, 1989, Sheboygan County
- Susan Poupart, 1990, Price County
- Julia Baez, 1990, Brockway, Jackson County
- Doris Mcleod, 1991, Goose Lake Wildlife Preserve, Dane County
- Jane Doe, 2002, Houlton, St. Croix County
Charlee Pocan Russ has started a GoFundMe to raise money for solving her mother’s murder. If you would like to donate or learn more, please visit this link.
Before you listen, make sure you’ve listened to WANTED: Justice for Rhys Pocan & MMIW Part 1!
And keep an eye on The Deck feed for Susan Poupart (7 of Spades, Wisconsin), or listen right now in the Fan Club!
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FBI flyer featuring Rae Tourtillott’s case.
Photo courtesy of FBI.Gov.
Menominee Tribal Police Chief Keith Tourtillott.
Photo taken by audiochuck staff.
Audiochuck reporter, Emily, did boots-on-the-ground investigative work on these cases along with local and federal law enforcement.
Photo taken by audiochuck staff.
Julia Baez.
Photo courtesy of her daughters.
Julia Baez and family.
Photo courtesy of her daughters.
Julia Baez.
Photo courtesy of her daughters.
Detective Nathan Hatch shows Ashley the Rhys Pocan crime scene in Sheboygan County, Wisconsin.
Photo taken by audiochuck staff.
Sheboygan County Detective Nathan Hatch shows the audiochuck team photos ahead of his interview about his Rhys Pocan investigation.
Photo by audiochuck staff.
Timeline:
Partial remains of a Jane Doe are found in Caledonia, WI.
Helen Sebastian’s remains are found in Racine, WI.
Eric Hansen’s remains are found in Petrifying Springs Park in Kenosha County.
A Jane Doe is found missing her hands in Vernon County, outside of Westby, WI.
Terry Dolowy’s remains are found in Vernon County.
Rae Tourtillott goes to a small house party. Around midnight, she gets a ride from a friend, but they eventually head back to the party.
Rae Tourtillott’s dismembered body is found on the Menominee Reservation.
Rhys Pocan disappears from Milwaukee, and her remains are found in Sheboygan County and Waukesha.
Julia Baez is last seen at a local tavern. She leaves after having an argument with her boyfriend, Pedro.
Julia Baez’s remains are found near Black River Falls, WI. They aren’t identified until July 2015.
Susan Poupart’s remains are found in Price County.
Doris Mcleod’s remains are found at Goose Lake Wildlife Preserve in Dane County.
Remains of a Jane Doe are found in St. Croix County.
Caledonia, WI
Partial human remains were found in Caledonia in 1982 (Columbia County)
Racine, WI
Helen Sebastian hand and leg parts found in 1983.
Petrifying Springs Park
Eric Hansen remains found in 1983.
Vernon Wildlife Area
Oct 21, 1989: partial left human hand found. Oct 22: Right hand found. Nov. 18: skull found. Hands: 42°55'25.6"N 88°16'21.7"W. Skull and mandible: 42°55'12.0"N 88°16'14.8"W.
Menominee Reservation
Partial remains of Rae Tourtillott found on Menominee Reservation, spring 1987.
Price County
Where Susan Poupart’s remains are found in 1990.
Black River Falls, WI
Where Julia Baez’s remains are found in 1990.
Goose Lake Wildlife Area
Where Doris Mcleod’s remains are found in 1991.
St. Croix County
In October 2002, boy scouts find the skull and lower mandible of a Jane Doe in a ravine in St. Croix County, in far western Wisconsin. Authorities have said they likely belong to a Native American woman between 35 and 50.
Nichols Creek State Wildlife Area
Location of Rhys body found decapitated on Sept 2, 1989.
Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest
Susan Poupart remains found in November 1990.
Oneida County
In 2021, a skull is discovered in Oneida County, Wisconsin, which is way up north, not far from Vilas County. The skull is missing a lower jaw bone, and last I heard, investigators are working with anthropologists to determine who it belonged to. But a source told us it’s thought to be Native American.
Mohawk Valley Rd
Terry Dołowy found decapitated in February 1985.
Westby, WI
Vernon County Jane Doe found in 1984, hands removed.
Downtown Milwaukee, WI
- Location of Dahmer Bar and Dahmer Apartment
- Location of “Chris” Apartment
- Rhys was likely at CJ's house after 2pm, where she had a conversation with CJ and his brother BJ
- Julia Baez Apartment and Her Last Sighting
- Rhys Pocan Apartment
- Rhys and Charlee left here on bike. Carla Torres claims she was babysitting Charlee that afternoon and Rhys came back and checked on her before going out again.
- National Liquor Bar
- Rhys is here around 8:30pm. She had a beer with Bob Jalenik and Darin Wynos.
- Bush Bar
- An anonymous tip later said Rhys was at the Bush Bar between 9-9:30pm
- Golden Spike Tavern
- Rhys was confirmed to be here between 9 and 10pm, per Harry and bartender Judith. Rhys left with Harry to "sleep it off" at either 10 or 11pm.
- 11pm Possible Sighting of Barefoot Phys
- American Indian Council on Alcoholism
- 11:35pm, Shirley sees Rhys. Shirley says Rhys was disoriented but didn't smell like alcohol.
- Harry’s House
- Rhys and Harry made it to his backyard where Rhys tripped and fell. She got up and started walking back toward the bar and forgot her backpack.
- Where Harry Finds Rhys’ Shoes
- Harry grabbed Rhys' backpack and followed her to give it back. He stumbles upon Rhys' sandals at 34th and National Ave. Harry takes her stuff back to the Golden Spike Tavern but doesn't see Rhys again.
- Gene's Unicorn Bar
- Unknown who found Rhys' bike or when, but it was located outside Gene's Unicorn Bar.
- Where Rhys was last seen.
We’d love to speak with you and see how we can support.
If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original reporting by Emily Mieure
- Milwaukee Police Department Open Records Section
- Milwaukee County Clerk of Circuit Court, Criminal Division – Records Vernon County Sheriff’s Office:
https://cms8.revize.com/revize/vernonwi/sheriff/JaneDoeSummary.pdf - Vernon County Jane Doe: https://www.namus.gov/UnidentifiedPersons/Case#/4786/contacts?nav
- Menominee Tribal Police Department FBI:
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/rae-elaine-tourtillot - Wausau Daily Herald (Wausau, WI): Search is conducted for Keshena woman. Published October 26, 1986. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/273132083 - Baraboo News Republic (Baraboo, WI): Tribe asks for aid in finding woman. Published October 30, 1986. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/870207242 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): Woman still missing after 3 weeks. Published November 4, 1986. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/190403461 - Portage Daily Register (Portage, WI): Tribal police use psychic to search for missing woman by Rick Kaufman. Published November 8, 1986. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/611769338 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): Tribal police mum about missing woman. Published November 11, 1986. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/190430325 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): Murder feared in Keshena by Becky Bruehl Bestul. Published March 7, 1987. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/189953385 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): FBI official says woman may have been murdered by Becky Bruehl Bestul. Published April 11, 1987. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/190608408 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): Body identified as Keshena woman’s by Paul Srubas. Published April 12, 1987. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/190611208 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): FBI says no arrests imminent in Tourtillott death. Published April 25, 1987. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/189529261 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): Grand jury may probe death of Tourtillott. Published May 8, 1987. Accessed May 11, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/189547001 - Green Bay Press-Gazette (Green Bay, WI): FBI, Menominee tribal police hope to breathe new life into 32-year-old murder case by Paul Srubas. Published April 26, 2019. Accessed May 11, 2023.
https://www.greenbaypressgazette.com/story/news/2019/04/26/cold-case-rae-toutillott-menominee-investigators-seek-new-information-1986-murder/3579619002/ - WBAY (Green Bay, WI): FBI offering $15,000 reward in 1986 murder of Menominee Tribe member. Published April 26, 2019. Accessed May 11, 2023.
https://www.wbay.com/content/news/FBI-offering-15000-reward-in-1986-murder-of-Menominee-Tribe-member-509124021.html - Federal Bureau of Investigation (Alexandria, VA): Rae Elaine Tourtillott. Published n.d. Accessed May 11, 2023.
https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/seeking-info/rae-elaine-tourtillot - The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, WI): Body parts discovered in woods near BRF by Chris Hardie and Ari Chrochiere. Published October 11, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/511783439 - The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, WI): Police not sure if find is one body or two. Published October 12, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/511783678 - Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI): No local link seen in body found near BRF by Ari Crochiere. Published October 12, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/361024673 - The Oshkosh Northwestern (Oshkosh, WI): Human remains found near Black River Falls. Published October 12, 1990. Accessed May 5, 1990 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/247798076 - The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, WI): Body identified as a woman by Ari Crochiere. Published October 13, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/511784020 - Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI): Identity of dead woman not been determined. Published October 13, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/361024701 - The La Crosse Tribune (La Crosse, WI): Murder still unsolved; BRF buries woman by Ari Crochiere. Published November 25, 1990. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/511795517 - Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI): Authorities pursue lead in murder case. Published May 6, 1992. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/361015609 - Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI): Still Searching: Investigation of body yields few answers by Chuck Rupnow. Published April 16, 1992. Accessed May 5, 2023 via newspapers.com.
https://www.newspapers.com/image/361013370 - Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, WI): Jackson County sheriff’s office identifies woman killed in 1990. Published July 28, 2015. Updated October 10, 2018. Accessed May 5, 2023.
https://www.leadertelegram.com/news/front-page/jackson-county-sheriffs-office-identifies-remains-woman-killed-in-1990/article_88344718-07eb-5c76-b1b9-9725dbc7a561.html
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