Madison, WI – On Tuesday, Governor Tony Evers signed Senate Bill 423/Assembly Bill 422 into law as 2025 Wisconsin Act 59, which closes a loophole for hiding a corpse in state law.
Following the discovery of the remains of Starkie Swenson at High Cliff State Park in 2021, Starkie’s killer, who had already admitted to committing the murder, only served two years in prison for it. The killer should’ve faced justice for hiding the remains in an attempt to conceal his crime. However, because of a loophole in Wisconsin law, Starkie’s killer was able to avoid charges. Previously, the statute of limitations on hiding a corpse began when the crime was committed. Now, the statute of limitations begins when the body is discovered or identified, whichever happens later.
Following the signing of 2025 Wisconsin Act 59, Representative Ron Tusler issued the following statement:
“I want to thank Calumet County District Attorney Nathan Haberman for all of his great work in discovering the need for this bill while trying to prosecute Starkie’s killer. I want to thank Linda Wickham, Starkie Swenson’s closest living relative, for testifying on this bill and representing Starkie’s family. I also want to thank family members Linda Swenson and Eric Tillman for their support throughout the process.”
“Although we cannot heal the wounds caused by the murder of Starkie Swenson, 2025 Wisconsin Act 59 ensures that no violent criminal will be able to exploit the corpse-hiding loophole again.”
Senate Bill 423/Assembly Bill 422, authored by Representative Ron Tusler (R-Harrison), Senator Van Wanggaard (R-Racine), and Senator Andre Jacque (R-New Franklin), officially became 2025 Wisconsin Act 59 after it was signed by Governor Tony Evers on Tuesday, December 9, 2025.
