Family of Guardsman found dead in forest wants case re-opened

CHIPPEWA FALLS (AP) — The family of a 20-year-old National Guardsman found dead in the Chippewa County Forest is holding a public meeting Sunday, April 22nd.

Russell Plummer was about 30 yards from his vehicle in November 2009. The cause of death was listed as “probably hypothermia.”

Plummer’s father, Jay North, says the family challenges that based on discussions with doctors.

North says Plummer couldn’t have fallen down a hill and ended up where he was found because there were too many trees. And if he had hypothermia, he should have been able to crawl to his nearby vehicle.

The meeting is in Cleveland, where the family plans to circulate a petition asking the sheriff to reopen the case.

Chippewa County Sheriff Jim Kowalczyk says they have no evidence to support foul play.