Contrary to recent media reports, Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek reported today there is no evidence of criminal activity in the death of Ryan Gedart.
On Sunday, June 18, 21-year old Gedart’s body was discovered on Tag Alder Road in the Town of Lenroot with two gunshot wounds to the torso.
This morning, Sheriff Mrotek told DrydenWire.com they were self-inflicted gunshot wounds from his own handgun. Mrotek also said the only DNA found on the handgun belonged to Gedart.
“The determination was made after a four-month investigation involving our agency, the Department of Criminal Investigations, the State Patrol, both Wisconsin state crime labs in Milwaukee and Madison, the Sawyer County Coroner and the Ramsey County Medical Examiner,” said Sawyer County Chief Deputy Craig Faulstich.
Former Sheriff Mark Kelsey said there is no evidence of any foul play. "Everyone did their jobs in this case and all came to the same conclusions," Kelsey said.
Kelsey also said the crime scene was secured, and after many interviews were conducted, there were no suspects involved and there was no criminal activity suspected.
“The Sheriff’s Office maintained professionalism throughout the investigation process out of respect for the Gedart family,” Sheriff Mrotek said.
The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office issued the following news release this afternoon:
News Release
The Sawyer County Sheriff's Office normally does not comment about suicides, but we feel it is important to respond to misinformation that has been presented recently in the media concerning the investigation into Ryan Gedart's death.
As a result of the investigation, evidence recovered was submitted to the State Crime Laboratory. Two bullets were recovered from the body of Ryan Gedart. Upon examination of the bullet, it was determined the bullets were fired from the gun owned by Ryan Gedart. The same gun was located next to his body at the time he was discovered. It was also determined that the only DNA present on the same handgun belonged to Ryan Gedart.
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's office determined both gunshot wounds were consistent with being fired within close distance (approximately one inch) to the body.
The Sawyer County Sheriff's office was assisted in the investigation by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation, the Wisconsin State Patrol, the State of Wisconsin Crime Laboratories in Madison and Milwaukee, the Sawyer County Coroner's Office and the Ramsey County (MN) Medical Examiner's Office. After a thorough investigation over several months, no evidence of criminal activity was in the death of Ryan Gedart.
The Sawyer County Coroner's Office report lists the manner of Ryan Gedart's death as suicide caused by self-inflicted gunshot wounds to the torso.
Per Sawyer County Sheriff Doug Mrotek
Last Update: Oct 28, 2017 7:15 am CDT
