Murder of Susan Poupart
Susan "Suzy" Poupart (November 12, 1960 – May 20, 1990)[1] was a Native-American woman who disappeared in May 1990. Her body was discovered six months later. The murder currently remains unsolved, although a man was taken in for questioning for her death in 2007. Additionally, another pair of men are under suspicion.[2][3][4]
Susan Poupart | |
|---|---|
 Undated photograph of Poupart | |
| Born | Susan R. Poupart November 12, 1960 |
| Died | May 20, 1990 (aged 29) |
| Cause of death | Homicide |
| Resting place | Memorial Cemetery, Lac du Flambeau, Vilas County, Wisconsin, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Citizenship | United States |
| Known for | Murder victim |
| Children | 2 |
Case
Poupart, a mother of two, was last seen on May 20, 1990, with two men after leaving a party in Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin at 4:00 AM. According to one witness, she was apparently being forced into a vehicle. Six months after she went missing, on November 22, 1990, hunters discovered her remains in the Chequamegon-Nicolet National Forest.[2]
After testifying in court, both men who she was last seen with denied abducting her, claiming that they were going to transport the woman home, but instead dropped her off near a school.[5] On November 22, 1990, her purse and identification were discovered underneath harvested trees. Her partial remains were subsequently found; she had apparently been sexually assaulted. Duct tape and plastic were also found, indicating that her killer or killers had attempted to hide the corpse.[5]
Later developments
In 2007, a man was given several hearings in court after being accused of involvement in Susan Poupart's death, but the charges were later dismissed after witnesses declined to appear, although several others reportedly testified. The two men seen with Poupart after the party are considered persons of interest, along with the other man.[3][6] Interviews about the case continued to be conducted between the three, but the men have given little to assist authorities.[7][5]
In 2014, evidence was tested for DNA after advances with technology, but it did not unearth any new clues. Suspicion has continued to circulate through the local area about those who may be responsible for the murder, yet it is believed that most individuals have withheld their knowledge "out of fear."[7]
A billboard along Highway 47 detailing the case was created, in hopes of receiving tips on the case, with some success. Investigators reported that they received information about the case as late as 2016, which helped the case somewhat.[7]
See also
- List of homicides in Wisconsin
- List of solved missing person cases
- List of unsolved murders
- Sexual victimization of Native American women
- Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women
- Murder of Shirley Soosay, an Indigenous Canadian woman identified several decades after her rape and murder.
References
- Sosseur, Lily (23 July 2010). "Susan R. Poupart". findagrave.com. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- Boneske, Kevin (29 May 2007). "'John Doe' hearing held in 17-year-old murder cas". The Lakeland Times. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- Schaefer, Heather (30 July 2011). "Playing cards may solve Vilas cold case". The Northwoods River News. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- "Susan Poupart Cold Case". News Watch 9. 12 June 2008. Archived from the original on 5 December 2014. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- Stephenson, Lauren (21 May 2014). "Newswatch 12 Exclusive: Inside the Susan Poupart cold case investigation". News Watch 12. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- Rasmussen, Sarah (25 November 2010). "Unsolved Mystery: Susan Poupart". News Watch 12. Retrieved 22 May 2014.
- Sabato, Nick. "Murder of Susan Poupart Remains Unsolved." Northwoods River News [Rhinelander, Wisconsin] 4 Feb. 2017: 1+. Print.