DANE COUNTY (WKOW) – The Dane County Sheriff’s Office is asking the public for information as they continue their investigation into the homicide of Nicholas Day.
Authorities say Day, 26, was killed Jan. 15, and his body was discovered on County Highway JG near Bergum Road in the town of Blue Mounds.
Investigators initially stated Day was the victim of a fatal hit and run, but after an autopsy, revised their view and classified his death as a homicide. The Dane County medical examiner has not specified the manner of the killing. "It is brutal and calculated," Sheriff David Mahoney says.
Sheriff’s Office investigators are interesting in speaking withpeople who knew Dayor may have information concerning any details related to his personal or professional life.
Brendan Pille and Day bonded in the Navy several years ago.
"Nick thrived in the military," Pille tells 27 News from his Naval base in Lemoore, Ca. "He loved working on jet engines."
Pille says he and Day were deployed to the Middle East on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. He says they contributed to training missions as mechanics for fighter jets.
"And were responsible for a jet, like one jet all day," Pille says. "His pilot didn't come back. It wasn't any of his fault, it was just a training exercise gone wrong. I helped him through that, we talked through it," Pille says.
Pille says he remained in touch with Day after Day left the Navy. He says Day was pleased to be close his three-year-old daughter and family in civilian life. "You could tell he felt way happier that he was closer to his family now that he was out of the Navy.
Pille says news of his friend's death was shattering to him and other members of their old Navy squadron.
"When I found out it was a homicide, it kind of made me angry that somebody could do that to such a nice person," Pille says.
Anyone having this type of information who has not already spoken to investigators are asked to call the Dane County Communications Center non-emergency line at 608-255-2345 or the Dane County Sheriff’s Office tip line at 608-284-6900.
All callers who wish to remain anonymous, can do so by leaving a message on the tip line.
Detectives continue to follow-up with residents in the area and are seeking any video that might have been captured from businesses or home surveillance cameras.
More at WKOW 27 News