Volp’s body found

By LISA M. HOFFMANN, Staff Writer

MARINETTE, Wis. - Officials have positively identified the body found in a creek in Dunbar on Monday as Eric M. Volp of Iron Mountain.

At a press conference Thursday, law enforcement officials said Volp died an unnatural death that can be classified as suspicious.

Volp, 28, was reported missing in October 2008.

Marinette County Sheriff Jim Kanikula said the body was discovered in K.C. Creek in the town of Dunbar. K.C. Creek crosses U.S. Highway 8 and is located approximately 1.5 miles from the town of Dunbar, approximately 20 miles from Iron Mountain.

Kanikula said the body was found some 150 yards south of the bridge by a trout fisherman on Monday.

Marinette County Chief Deputy Jerry Sauve said Volp's body was identified by a unique tattoo and dental records.

"Iron Mountain Police Department did a wonderful job on their missing persons case. Fortunately the tattoo was preserved," Sauve said.

He said the tattoo on the back of Volp's neck was distinctive - two faces, one smiling one frowning. Dental records were also examined. The body was partially clothed.

The case is an ongoing investigation by Marinette County law enforcement and the Iron Mountain Police Department. Police are referring to the death as unnatural, but not a homicide.

Kanikula said the forensic pathologist's opinion after the examination of the body, confirmed the remains could have been in the creek since last October.

He added the doctor's findings are consistent with the nine-month time frame since Volp was reported missing.

Although the cause of death is listed as undetermined, officials said it was not from drowning.

Kanikula also said there was significant trauma to the remains.

Sauve said there were fractured bones, and "due to decomposition they were not completely intact." The autopsy results show Volp had some broken bones. Volp suffered blunt trauma to his chest, some trauma to his head and several broken bones but the exact cause of death is unknown.

Several tissue samples have been taken from Volp's body and will be submitted to the Wisconsin Crime Lab. Any new information on what type of drugs or alcohol, if any, were in his system could take four to six weeks.

Police said there is no person of interest at this time, but they are not ruling out foul play.

Marinette County Sheriff's Department will continue to work with the Iron Mountain Police Department.

When it is determined where the crime was committed, if in fact a crime did occur, charges will be determined by the prosecuting attorney in Michigan or the district attorney in Wisconsin.

Iron Mountain Police Chief Pete Flaminio confirmed Volp was last seen on foot and alone at the North Stables Pub in Iron Mountain. He had made numerous calls of short duration between 2:19 a.m. and 2:42 a.m. Oct. 12.

Flaminio said the last call was at 2:42 a.m. with no calls made after that time. Because of the short duration of the calls, police do not believe Volp made contact with anyone he called.

Volp's cell phone was never recovered.

Police said numerous people, including bartenders, were contacted and all leads were followed-up, resulting in unconfirmed sightings.

Police do not believe Volp, who was insulin dependent, ever made it back to his Iron Mountain apartment.

Kanikula said they are not going to rule out any possibilities.

Police said the heavily-wooded area where the body was found makes for a difficult investigation because of the tall grass, big ants, and numerous trees. The area continues to be searched for evidence.

Flaminio said there is no indication of foul play other than Volp disappeared. What crossed investigators' minds is Volp got a ride.

"He was somebody that would engage in conversation," Flaminio said.

Volp's family members, including his aunt, Maria Volp of Iron Mountain, were notified of the identification prior to the press conference on Thursday. Maria Volp told The Daily News the family is grateful Volp's body has finally been found.

"Finding his body does not give closure, but it does comfort us to be able to put him to rest in a more worthy place," she said. "Finding his body will also allow police to investigate his disappearance and death once again to hopefully find answers as to who caused it."

Volp was a nearly lifelong resident of New Berlin, Wis., and moved to Iron Mountain in December 2007 to live with his aunt.

"He came here to build work skills and gain some job experience," Maria Volp explained. "During the 10 months he was here, he gained experience not only in work skills, but also in his faith, going to church regularly."

The Volp family held a memorial at the end of October when they assumed he had died.