A quiet Wisconsin community has been rocked by a gruesome Halloween discovery that reads like something from a crime thriller. The peaceful streets of Fond du Lac became the backdrop for a chilling investigation after police uncovered a woman's body stuffed inside a suitcase.
The victim has been identified as 52-year-old Lisa Ann French, whose disappearance turned into a murder investigation that has left neighbours in disbelief.
The Halloween Party That Ended in Tragedy
According to criminal complaints, French had attended a Halloween party at a residence on East Follett Street. What began as seasonal celebrations took a dark turn when an argument erupted between French and 61-year-old Gerald Turner.
Court documents reveal disturbing details about the altercation that allegedly turned fatal. Turner is accused of striking French in the head with a wooden cutting board during the heated dispute.
The Gruesome Discovery
The investigation took a macabre turn when police, acting on a tip, searched Turner's property. Hidden away in a storage area, officers made the horrifying discovery: French's body concealed within a large suitcase.
Further examination revealed the victim had been wrapped in a blanket and plastic bags before being stuffed into the luggage, suggesting a deliberate attempt to conceal the crime.
Charges and Community Shock
Gerald Turner now faces serious charges including hiding a corpse and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The community of Fond du Lac, typically known for its lakeside tranquillity, is struggling to comprehend the brutality that unfolded in their midst.
Local authorities have emphasised that this appears to be an isolated incident between acquaintances, though the nature of the crime has sent ripples of concern through the area.
As the judicial process begins, with Turner's bail set at $250,000, residents are left to mourn the loss of Lisa Ann French and grapple with the unsettling reality that such violence can occur anywhere, even during what should be festive occasions.
