A very very terrible thing happened in LaCrosse this past week.:
An attempt was made to sexually assault a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student before her battered, half-clad body was left at the steps of a La Crosse church early Sunday, authorities revealed Tuesday.
Also found at the church was a cell phone used by the Onalaska, Wis., man now accused in the death, police reported.
Irvin Ramirez, 24, made his first appearance in La Crosse County Circuit Court on Tuesday after being extradited from Minnesota, where he had been arrested in La Crescent for drunken driving early Sunday, only a few hours before the woman's body was found.
Ramirez, of 615 Vilas St., was charged as expected with first-degree intentional homicide. But added to that were attempted second-degree sexual assault and robbery charges in the death of Danielle Gorectke, 23, of Minocqua, Wis.
Judge Dale Pasell set bond at $1 million cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 30.
La Crosse County District Attorney Scott Horne said Gorectke may have been killed at or near Christ Covenant Church, 3630 Hwy. B, where her body was discovered by a snow plow driver Sunday morning.
Sexual assault and robbery could be the motive, Horne said. Gorectke's clothing had been removed from below the waist, though the autopsy could not confirm a "completed sexual assault," Horne said.
"Although I would note that additional forensic testing remains to be done," he said.
Gorectke was visiting her sister Michelle, a Viterbo University student, in La Crosse when the pair became separated about 2 a.m. Sunday at The Helm bar, 108 N. Third St.
Ramirez told police investigators he was in downtown La Crosse late Saturday and early Sunday but does not remember being with or doing anything to Gorectke, according to the amended criminal complaint.
Horne said he has no reason to believe Ramirez and Gorectke previously knew each other. How they ended up together still is being investigated, he said.
Gorectke had signs of blows to her head and spinal cord, multiple contusions and lacerations to her head and a partially torn-off upper lip, according to court documents. Cause of death was blunt force trauma, without use of a weapon, said La Crosse County Medical Examiner John Steers.
Toxicology results on Gorectke should be ready in a week, Steers said.
Ramirez was arrested about 4 a.m. Sunday in La Crescent after a customer reported an intoxicated driver at the Kwik Trip convenience store, 319 S. Third St. A La Crescent officer found Ramirez arguing with a store clerk who said he did not have enough money to pay for gasoline and cigarettes, according to police reports.
The officer said Ramirez could not explain why he had blood on his face, coat and hands. Inside his vehicle, police found a purse, pink billfold and a credit card with Gorectke's name.
A nurse also later noted abrasions and blood on Ramirez's fingers and hands, according to the complaint.
Ramirez pleaded not guilty Monday in Houston County District Court to two counts of driving under the influence and one count of driving without a Minnesota license before being returned to La Crosse County.
Ramirez is a legal resident alien believed to be a Mexican citizen, Horne said. He has been in the area only a few months after previously living in Florida and Texas, he said.
Horne said Ramirez appears to have no criminal history, though additional background checks are being done.
Gorectke, a 2002 graduate of Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua, was a senior majoring in communicative disorders at UW-Stevens Point. According to her obituary, she enjoyed snowboarding, writing inspirational quotes, family, friends and her kitten, Kahlua.
The church where this girl was found is less than a mile away from my house.
It's the creepiest thing ever. This guy lives in the town right next to mine. I'm just sick.
An attempt was made to sexually assault a University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point student before her battered, half-clad body was left at the steps of a La Crosse church early Sunday, authorities revealed Tuesday.
Also found at the church was a cell phone used by the Onalaska, Wis., man now accused in the death, police reported.
Irvin Ramirez, 24, made his first appearance in La Crosse County Circuit Court on Tuesday after being extradited from Minnesota, where he had been arrested in La Crescent for drunken driving early Sunday, only a few hours before the woman's body was found.
Ramirez, of 615 Vilas St., was charged as expected with first-degree intentional homicide. But added to that were attempted second-degree sexual assault and robbery charges in the death of Danielle Gorectke, 23, of Minocqua, Wis.
Judge Dale Pasell set bond at $1 million cash. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 11 a.m. Jan. 30.
La Crosse County District Attorney Scott Horne said Gorectke may have been killed at or near Christ Covenant Church, 3630 Hwy. B, where her body was discovered by a snow plow driver Sunday morning.
Sexual assault and robbery could be the motive, Horne said. Gorectke's clothing had been removed from below the waist, though the autopsy could not confirm a "completed sexual assault," Horne said.
"Although I would note that additional forensic testing remains to be done," he said.
Gorectke was visiting her sister Michelle, a Viterbo University student, in La Crosse when the pair became separated about 2 a.m. Sunday at The Helm bar, 108 N. Third St.
Ramirez told police investigators he was in downtown La Crosse late Saturday and early Sunday but does not remember being with or doing anything to Gorectke, according to the amended criminal complaint.
Horne said he has no reason to believe Ramirez and Gorectke previously knew each other. How they ended up together still is being investigated, he said.
Gorectke had signs of blows to her head and spinal cord, multiple contusions and lacerations to her head and a partially torn-off upper lip, according to court documents. Cause of death was blunt force trauma, without use of a weapon, said La Crosse County Medical Examiner John Steers.
Toxicology results on Gorectke should be ready in a week, Steers said.
Ramirez was arrested about 4 a.m. Sunday in La Crescent after a customer reported an intoxicated driver at the Kwik Trip convenience store, 319 S. Third St. A La Crescent officer found Ramirez arguing with a store clerk who said he did not have enough money to pay for gasoline and cigarettes, according to police reports.
The officer said Ramirez could not explain why he had blood on his face, coat and hands. Inside his vehicle, police found a purse, pink billfold and a credit card with Gorectke's name.
A nurse also later noted abrasions and blood on Ramirez's fingers and hands, according to the complaint.
Ramirez pleaded not guilty Monday in Houston County District Court to two counts of driving under the influence and one count of driving without a Minnesota license before being returned to La Crosse County.
Ramirez is a legal resident alien believed to be a Mexican citizen, Horne said. He has been in the area only a few months after previously living in Florida and Texas, he said.
Horne said Ramirez appears to have no criminal history, though additional background checks are being done.
Gorectke, a 2002 graduate of Lakeland Union High School in Minocqua, was a senior majoring in communicative disorders at UW-Stevens Point. According to her obituary, she enjoyed snowboarding, writing inspirational quotes, family, friends and her kitten, Kahlua.
The church where this girl was found is less than a mile away from my house.
It's the creepiest thing ever. This guy lives in the town right next to mine. I'm just sick. VIEW 12 of 12 COMMENTS
applejax:
I'm such a nert. I almost posted that I sent a letter to merrycherries! It's been a tad crazy over here in AppleJax land!
forkandles:
Oh... 