Wauwatosa Man Stabbed To Death At Devils Lake State Park

WAUWATOSA, WI— A Wauwatosa man was found stabbed to death on Wednesday at Devils Lake State Park outside Baraboo, according to the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office Facebook post. The man was identified as John Craig Schmutzer, 24, and his death was ruled a homicide.

On Wednesday around 11:38 am, the Sauk County Communication Center received a report of disturbance, possible attempted homicide on the grottos trail on the south side of Devil Lake State Park. Police found Schmutzer dead on the trail.

Police are still looking for a man between 5'10 and 6'0, who was wearing a dark colored head covering and a dark colored face covering. He left the scene walking west on the grottos trail toward the south shore parking lot at Devils lake and is still at large, police said.

The Facebook post said investigators have learned that in the days prior to this incident, Schmutzer had visited the Hilldale shopping center in Madison, Wildcat Mountain State Park in Vernon County, the LaValle area in Northwest Sauk County in addition to Devils Lake State Park.

Investigators ask that if you were on the south side of Devils Lake State Park near the south shore parking area, grottos trail or railroad tracks between roughly 11 a.m. and 12:15 p.m. on Wednesday, and either witnessed this incident or observed something suspicious that you believe is related to this incident, to call Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1888-TIP-SAUK (847-7285) and provide that information, the post said.

Investigators observed and are aware that people were in the area taking photos of the changing landscape colors, and ask citizens to call Crime Stoppers if they have photos taken in that area during that time that may have inadvertently captured a photo of a suspect matching that description.

"This is an active, ongoing investigation. Most details of the investigation will be kept confidential until the conclusion of the investigation," Sauk County Sheriff Chip Meister said in the social media post.