CHILTON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A Chilton man has been charged with hiding a corpse — in a case where the victim’s remains were found nearly four decades after a murder.
John Andrews, now 82, was convicted in 1994 of killing Starkie Swenson 11 years earlier in Neenah. Swenson’s remains were found last September at High Cliff State Park in Calumet County.
Coincidentally, the remains were found just a few months after a search in Omro, some 30 miles away. In 2019, an Omro property owner called police to report that, when her aunt lived there, Andrews would sometimes garden in the yard. Last May, a search began at the property. In June, police interviewed Andrews, who denied having gardened at the Omro property. He also denied ever meeting Swenson in person.
The Omro search ended without any remains being found.
In September, hikers found the bones in the upper portion of High Cliff State Park. DNA testing confirmed they were Swenson’s remains. Analysis of the site — including an early 1980s style soda can — indicated the remains were placed there soon after Swenson died.
The criminal complaint lists the offense date as between June 7, 2021 — when police interviewed Andrews — and Sept. 28, 2021, the day before the body was found. It does not offer any specific evidence as to the body being placed at High Cliff in that window, however.
The Fond du Lac County medical examiner determined Swenson died of multiple injuries, most of them likely caused by being hit by a vehicle.
In Andrews’ 1994 trial, prosecutors said he hit Swenson with his vehicle while Swenson was on a bicycle. Prosecutors said Andrews was upset because he and Swenson were romantically involved with the same woman.
In court Friday, a $10,000 signature bond was set for Andrews. He is due back in court May 6.
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