West Allis police investigating homicide of 57-year-old man

West Allis police are now investigating the death of 57-year-old Jeffrey Garnier as a homicide. His body was found lying in the roadway near 91st and Lincoln Ave. on Sunday, November 20th.

Police first got a call about Garnier's body being in the roadway just after 2:30 a.m. on November 20th. Garnier was unconscious and unresponsive. Police initially thought the victim had been drinking, but they were not able to determine what caused the injuries.

Garnier was taken to Aurora West Allis Medical Center where he suffered a stroke and was found to have a blood alcohol level of .194. He was then transferred to St. Luke's Medical Center where he died on Friday, November 25th.

An autopsy performed on Garnier revealed he died from complications of blunt force trauma to the head.

Surveillance video obtained from a business near 91st and Lincoln shows Garnier had been confronted by four men as he crossed Lincoln Ave. on November 20th. The video shows one suspect striking Garnier which caused him to fall to the pavement. The video is shot from too far away to reveal identities, but police hope passing drivers seen in the video will come forward.

Investigators say they're pursuing multiple leads in this case. Several people have provided information. However, none of the suspects has been identified.

At Garnier's visitation Tuesday, friends remembered him as thoughtful and kind. They're struggling to comprehend his violent death. "I still ask myself why. He didn't deserve that, and it's a shame that somebody so nice has to end up having that kind of fate," one friend said.

Garnier was last seen by those who knew him around 7:00 p.m. on November 19 at 103rd and Greenfield, where they believe he caught a bus home. Police don't know what happened between the last time he was seen and when he was attacked.

If you have information that could help investigators in this case, you're urged to call West Allis police at 414-302-8000. If you wish to remain anonymous, you can call the West Allis Crime Stoppers tip line at 414-476-CASH (2274). A reward of up to $2,000 is available based on information leading to an arrest.