Body found in Lily Lake in Kenosha Co. believed to be 49-year-old man missing after domestic dispute

KENOSHA COUNTY -- Authorities are investigating after a body was found along the shoreline of Lily Lake in the Town of Wheatland on Saturday, May 28th.

The Kenosha County Sheriff's Department responded to 334th Avenue near Lily Lake Road around 1:15 p.m. Saturday after a resident discovered the body in the water.

Lily Lake

Marilyn Magnuski, who is used to seeing people taking part in water sports and boating from her backyard, said she was alerted to the body by her neighbor.

"It was face down in the water, but very close to my sea wall," Magnuski said. "It was only when the neighbors were putting out their pier (Saturday) that were in the water and got a good look at the shoreline and saw a lump there. They went to look closer and saw it was a body."

Lily Lake

Although positive identification has not yet been made, investigators say the body appears to be 49-year-old Richard Warnke Sr.

Lily Lake

Warnke had been reported missing last week, after deputies were called to his home on 336th Avenue near Lily Lake Road for a domestic dispute.

"We could hear authorities say 'Richard, come out of the house. Richard, come out of the house with your hands up,'" Magnuski said.

Jaree Petranech is Magnuski's neighbor. She said she was saddened by what happened.

Lily Lake

Lily Lake

"It`s really upsetting. He was a really great guy. The last thing I said to him was 'how was your day?' He was a really upbeat guy. It`s very sad," Petranech said.

Neighbors said Lily Lake has seen its fair share of tragic incidents.

"This strikes a nerve," Magnuski said. "So sorry that it ended this way."

The investigation continues and a positive identification of the victim is pending until further tests are completed.

Lily Lake