Devil's Lake Homicide Investigation - 5 Year Anniversary

On this day five years ago, 24-year-old John Craig Schmutzer of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, was tragically and senselessly murdered while hiking alone at Devil’s Lake State Park. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, continues to actively investigate this case and is once again asking the public for assistance.

At approximately 11:30 a.m. on October 14, 2020, John was fatally stabbed on the south side of the East Bluff, along Grotto’s Trail. The person who discovered John’s body and called 911 reported observing a suspicious male walking away from the scene.  This man was described as “approximately 5’10” and 200 lbs., wearing dark pants and a mostly white windbreaker-type top with red material or a pattern near the shoulder/arm area. He was also wearing a black face covering and a dark colored hat, with only his eyes visible.  The witness described the man as “walking oddly.”

 Other witnesses in the area reported seeing a man running frantically and erratically from the area of the scene toward the East Bluff Trail. This individual was described as approximately 6 feet tall, average build, wearing dark pants with ripped knees and a dark top—clothing not typical for trail running. He was seen falling multiple times while running north along the East Bluff Trail.  Investigators have previously termed this male as the “East Bluff Runner.”

At this time Investigators have been unable to determine whether the man seen walking away from the scene and the East Bluff Runner are the same person.

These individuals are of significant interest to investigators, and we believe someone in the community may hold the key to identifying him. We urge anyone who was in or around Devil’s Lake State Park or the rural Baraboo area on October 14, 2020, to come forward with any new information—no matter how small it may seem.

Since the investigation began, Detectives have reviewed hundreds of tips and followed up on every credible lead. Investigators have worked diligently to identify and interview as many people as possible who were in the park that day. So far, they have contacted individuals who were visiting from more than four different states. The Sauk County Sheriff’s Office remains committed to pursuing every possible avenue to bring justice to John and his family.

In recent months, investigators have also been made aware of a double homicide that occurred in July at Devil’s Den State Park in Arkansas. A suspect was arrested and charged in that case. While there is currently no confirmed connection between the two cases, Investigators are reviewing all available information to determine whether any similarities warrant further inquiry. At this time, the focus remains on solving John’s case based on the facts and evidence gathered locally.

Investigators believe someone out there knows something that can help us close this case---and we await their call.

How to Submit a Tip

• Call: Sauk County Crime Stoppers at 1-888-847-7285
• Text: “tipsauk” to 274637
• Online: www.tipsubmit.com

All tips can be submitted anonymously.

We thank the public for their continued support and urge anyone with information to come forward.

Chip Meister

Sheriff