Local Woman Dies of Apparent Self Inflicted Knife Wound

January 17, 2011

Special News Release

On Friday, January 14, 2011, at 5:22 PM the Sauk County Communications Center took a call from a subject living on Kelly Dr off of Gavin Road in the Township of Winfield stating that there was a woman at his residence bleeding from the chest area. Reedsburg Area Ambulance Service and the Sauk County Deputies were dispatched to the scene.

Upon the deputies arrival it was determined the woman was deceased. Peggy J. Bernhardt, age 61, of Reedsburg, WI was pronounced dead at the scene by the Sauk County Coroner. Initial investigation determined that the woman had a knife wound to the chest.
On Saturday, January 15, 2011 an autopsy was conducted in Madison. After the autopsy and the information learned from the investigation it is believed that Bernhardt died of a self inflicted knife wound.

The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Sauk County Coroner and the Reedsburg Police Department. The investigation continues by the Sauk County Sheriff’s Office.

Sheriff Chip Meister