Police: Family of Stanley Van Wagner, found dead in Oconomowoc, uncooperative

OCONOMOWOC -- The family of 50-year-old Stanley Van Wagner, who was found dead in the basement of his home back on May 17th is not cooperating with the investigation. This, according to Oconomowoc Police Chief Dave Beguhn.

Stanley Van Wagner

This is Oconomowoc's first homicide in at least six years -- and a priority case for investigators.

Investigators say they found shell casings and bullets at the scene of the crime that are consistent with a gun Van Wagner owned.

Chief Beguhn now says the family’s handguns are missing.

Beguhn says getting additional information from Van Wagner's wife has been difficult since the onset of the investigation. Chief Beghun says she has insisted police go through her attorney with their questions.

Oconomowoc police were called out to the home on Elm Street on Sunday evening, May 17th, shortly before 7:00 p.m.

When this homicide occurred, officials said Van Wagner's wife found her husband's body and contacted a neighbor, who then notified police.

Oconomowoc home on Elm Street

When police arrived on scene they located two shell casings and three bullets. Police say Van Wagner was shot three times with a .380 caliber handgun. Chief Beguhn said that is consistent with what Van Wagner owned.

“We do believe that it was probably somebody known to Mr. Van Wagner. We don’t believe the public is in any danger at this point. He was last seen by family, is our initial reports, on Friday evening and they were out in the area throughout the weekend and then he was found on Sunday," said Oconomowoc Police Chief David Beguhn.

No one has been taken into custody in connection with Van Wagner's death.