No Arrests 1 Year After Fatal Devil's Lake Stabbing Of Tosa Man

WAUWATOSA, WI — John Schmutzer was found stabbed to death at Devil's Lake State Park, outside of Baraboo, on Oct. 14, 2020. One year later, there have been no arrests, but authorities remained determined to solve the case, they said.

“Unfortunately, we have not accomplished that mission," Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister said at a news conference. "But we will not give up, either.”

Shmutzer died a brutal death when he was simply trying to enjoy the beauty that the state parks offer, Meister said. “I would love nothing more than to be standing here announcing an arrest. Unfortunately, I cannot,” said the lead investigator, Lt. Christopher Zunker, of the Sauk County Sheriff’s Department.

The Runner

A man was observed at the time running near the crime scene, police said.

"We do have ... an unidentified person of interest, ... who we have referred to as 'the runner,' ... who was seen by more than 15 separate witnesses in various parts of Devil's Lake State Park," Zunker said.

Witnesses described a 6-foot man with slender to average build, wearing ripped pants and a dark top, possibly a hoodie. The man was running "frantically" and "out of control" north from the parking lot of the Group Camp near South Lake Road, presumably onto or near Grottos Trail, the sheriff's office has said.

"The timing and locations of these sightings lead investigators to believe that this person may be the person responsible for John's death," he said.

Investigation Continues

Over the past year, authorities reported the following about the investigation.

• Officials have received and investigated 150 tips.
• They have conducted hundreds of interviews with people across the United States.
• They have collected more than 30 items of evidence.
• The have analyzed eight DNA samples from possible persons of interest. Some were ruled out, while others continued to be analyzed.
• They have obtained and served 30 search warrants, subpoenas and other court orders.

The results continued to be analyzed, Zunker said.

"I have said from the beginning of this investigation that cases such as these are solved by a person or persons having the courage to face the fact that they know or may have knowledge about who's responsible for this death and then bringing that information forward to get justice for John and to potentially save the life of another victim down the road," he said.

Although the case hasn't been solved, it won't be shelved as a cold case, Zunker said.

"The case file will remain with a detective and will remain an active investigation, exploring every new tip, new lead piece of evidence or hunch," he said.

The sheriffs office urged anyone who was in the vicinity of Devil's Lake State Park on Oct. 14, 2020, and remembered meeting anyone that fit the description of the man in question to call Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 888-847-7285. Tips can be submitted by texting "tipsauk" to 274637.