PRAIRIE DU CHIEN, Wis. (WKOW) — Authorities have identified both the suspect and the victim in an apparent stabbing death in Prairie du Chien over the weekend.
Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor said Daniel Welsch, 65, of Prairie du Chien, was killed in the attack.
The suspect is identified as Jessie J. Slaughter, 39.
Officers were called to the 1000 block of East Wisconsin Street Friday around 10:15 p.m. for a welfare check. When they got to the scene, they found a man, later identified as Welsch, dead inside the home. Police found wounds on Welsch consistent with "trauma caused by a sharp object."
Based on evidence gathered and statements received by witnesses, police searched a home the next day, Saturday, around 12:30 p.m. Police then arrested Slaughter and took him to the Crawford County Jail.
Teynor said Welsch and Slaughter knew each other.
At the time of Welsch's death, Slaughter was out on active bond through Onieda County, Wisconsin for disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
Charges have been referred to the Crawford County District Attorney for first-degree reckless homicide and bail jumping, according to Teynor.
An autopsy is scheduled for Monday afternoon in Madison.
"Violence in all forms must never become normal in our society," Teynor said in a statement. "These violent acts must be met with all resources and accountability available to the criminal justice system."
"Our department would like to extend our sympathy to the victim’s family. We continue to work tirelessly to bring closure for them and to our community."
Slaughter appeared in Crawford County Court Monday for a bond hearing. He's being held on a $250,000 cash bond.
Slaughter will be back in court for his initial appearance on Nov. 18.
More at WKOW 27 News