Man admits killing PdC woman: Surprise confession yields answers in cold case
By Chris Hubbuch / chubbuch@lacrossetribune.com | Posted: Tuesday, October 12, 2010 12:00 am
[img_r]http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/lacrossetribune.com/content/tncms/assets/editorial/7/93/6e1/7936e1f2-d560-11df-b275-001cc4c03286-revisions/4cb34f22b2507.preview-300.jpg[/img_r]PRAIRIE DU CHIEN - Jeff Stiner lived for nearly four years under a cloud of suspicion. He was among the last people to see Shannon Fischer, the ex-girlfriend with whom he had two children, before she disappeared in December 2006. He learned Monday his neighbor had confessed to her murder.
Michael John Burroughs walked into the Prairie du Chien Police Department on Sunday morning and told authorities he had killed Fischer, his girlfriend at the time, Prairie du Chien police Chief Chad Abram said Monday.
Abram, the first officer to respond in 2006 when the 23-year-old Fischer was reported missing, said he was shocked and relieved to learn of the confession in the only missing persons case he could remember in the city.
"It's very fulfilling," he said. "It's always been bothersome to me."
Abram offered few details, citing an open investigation, but a probable cause statement indicated Burroughs said he got into an argument with Fischer on Dec. 18, 2006, and put her in a choke hold until she stopped breathing.
Burroughs kept her body in a closet for several days before dumping it in a garbage container behind his building at 207 E. Blackhawk Ave., according to the statement.
Abram would not say if authorities had recovered Fischer's body, though he said two officers are dedicated to the investigation, with help from the state Division of Criminal Investigation.
Burroughs, 26, appeared by video Monday in Crawford County Circuit Court, where court Commissioner Lynn Rider set his bond at $250,000.
Crawford County District Attorney Tim Baxter said he plans to charge Burroughs with first-degree intentional homicide and possibly with strangulation and hiding a corpse. Burroughs is scheduled to return to court Monday.
Baxter said Burroughs had no criminal history in Wisconsin, although court records show he pleaded guilty in 2005 to a misdemeanor graffiti charge and was sentenced to a year of probation.
Fischer's mother, Diane Bouzek, told the Tribune in 2007 her daughter had planned to spend Christmas with her new boyfriend but she never heard from her again.
Bouzek said when she asked Burroughs, he told her he "got rid" of Fischer because "she was annoying," and he didn't know where she was.
Bouzek did not respond Monday to an interview request, but posted comments on a Facebook page where Fischer's friends and family long have traded rumors, insults and accusations.
"I want to thank all you wonderful people for your support during this very difficult time for I and my family," Bouzek wrote Monday. "May I also add that if it wasn't for all the lying going on and the story telling we would probably ... have found the truth sooner!!! NOT ONCE DID I EVER ACCUSE ANYONE ON THIS PAGE OF MURDER!!! This is only the beginning for us, and I will remain strong for Shannon as I see full justice is done!!!!"
Residents in the building where Burroughs recently lived, kittycorner from the one where Fischer reportedly was killed, said they didn't know him.
His landlord, Ken Wall, said Burroughs had been a good tenant since August, paying rent on time and not causing trouble.
Stiner, 32, was telling anyone who would listen Monday the news about the man who lived across the hall. The former gas station attendant said he's been accused of being involved in Fischer's disappearance and suspects it's made it more difficult to find work.
He lived with Fischer for about two years, he said, and last saw her the night before she disappeared.
"It's more than a weight off my shoulders," Stiner said. "Every place around here was looking at me like I did it."
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