Norman Grasser was exhumed on Feb. 23rd, 2024 and reinterred in All Saints Catholic Cemetery, Des Plaines, Il. Please see this memorial for biography and family links.

43-year Rhinelander cold case ends

Identity of 1980 John Doe confirmed

December 15, 2023, for the Star Journal

ONEIDA COUNTY - Students at a New Jersey college have determined the identity of a "John Doe" whose body was found in Oneida County more than 43 years ago. The deceased male found in a field off Highway 17 between Rhinelander and Eagle River on March 19. 1980, has been confirmed to be Norman Grasser of Chicago, Ill.

The Oneida County Medical Examiner's Office along with the Oneida County Sheriff's Office responded to a call in the Town of Pine Lake and located the male, with the assistance of the witnesses, who initially located the body in the snow. The body was located approximately 46 yards off of Highway 17, on private property. There was no identification on the body.

A forensic autopsy was performed at the University of Wisconsin, and it was determined that the male had died from cold exposure due to hypothermia. The male was described as a white male between the ages of 25-45 years of age. just over six feet tall and 170 pounds, with brown hair. The male's clothing and other belongings were collected by the Sheriff's Office to assist in identification.

The unidentified male's fingerprints were sent to the State Crime Laboratory as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigation for possible identification, with negative matches.

Over time, this case continued to be investigated through missing person report follow ups and press releases.

In 2019, the unidentified male was entered into NamUs, a national database for missing and unidentified and unclaimed person cases across the United States. Multiple possible matches were generated and followed up on, with no positive matches.

In April 2021, the Oneida County Examiner's Office exhumed the body of John Doe 1980. The body was taken to the Fond du Lac Medical Examiner's Office to be processed for DNA collection. Once this was completed, the collected items were sent to the FBI Laboratory in Quantico for DNA profiling.

In January 2013, the Oneida County Sheriff's Office enlisted the assistance of Ramapo College of New Jersey Investigative Genetic Genealogy Center, to perform advanced forensic DNA testing of John Doe 1980 and a genealogy search. As a result of the work performed by students in the Ramapo College IGG Certificate Program, a new investigative lead was developed. resulting in Mr. Grasser's identification. According to a news release from Ramapo College, Grasser's brother had been searching for him and created a "Find-A-Grave" page noting the date of his brother's death was the day he was reported missing in Cook County, Ill., Jan. 20, 1980.

Oneida County Medical Examiner, Crystal Schaub stated in a news release the Grasser family is "grateful to everyone involved for ending their 43-year nightmare."

Source: "Northwoods Hodag Star Jornal" E-Edition- Friday, December 15, 2023- [email protected] – Editorial Department - 24 Rivers St., Rhinelander, Wisconsin - (866) 369-3331

HIKERS FIND BODY ON TRAIL

An autopsy will be performed by the State Crime Laboratory on an unidentified body discovered four miles north of Rhinelander Wednesday afternoon.

Oneida County Sheriff's Investigator Raymond Zastrow said this morning that it appears there was no foul play involved in the death.

The body, that of a white male believed to be between 25 and 35 years of age, was discovered about 2 p.m. by a rural Rhinelander couple as they were walking along their private snowmobile trail. The body was about 50 yards off the trail and about 100 feet from Highway 17 North.

Zastrow said he is uncertain when the autopsy will be completed. The investigator said the body, which was found lying face up, had been there for a while, possibly since January. No tracks were found in the area.

The victim was wearing a multicolor plaid shirt, black corduroy pants, a light tan corduroy coat, earmuffs, a scarf, and shoes and socks. Zastrow said the man's wallet contained some cash, two keys, and a calendar from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. The wallet contained no identification. Zastrow said the victim was also carrying a compass, facial tissues, and a comb and was wearing a watch.

The sheriff's department is checking into several responses to a statewide bulletin issued Wednesday. Zastrow said a nationwide bulletin maybe issued later.

Zastrow theorizes that the victim may have walked off of the road to relieve himself and fell down or sat down.

The victim is described as having dark brown hair and sideburns, and thin build, about 5 foot 10 to 6 foot 1, and weighing between 160 and 185 pounds.

Source: "The Rhinelander Daily News" newspaper, Thursday, March 20, 1980 - Page #1 - Rhinelander District Library in Rhinelander, Wisconsin The Doe Network Case Number: 3515UMWI

UNIDENTIFIED BODY FOUND IN ONEIDA

The body of an unidentified white male adult approximately 25-35 years old was found March 20 on a snowmobile trail in Oneida County, according to the Sheriff's Department of Oneida County.

The department believes the body had been there for about two months before it was discovered.

The man was 5 feet 10 inches to 6 feet 1 inch, 160-185 pounds, had good teeth with some new fillings, dark brown hair of mid-ear length on sides and about five to six inches long on top and graying sideburns. He was of thin build with a narrow face and pointed nose.

When found, he was wearing brown fur earmuffs and a short light brown corduroy winter jacket with zipper and side pockets.

He had on black pants that showed wear, brown, gray, red and black plaid shirt, blue button-down sweater, a white and brown scarf, thin black belt, white t-shirt that appeared new, jockey shorts under Longjohns, black medium weight socks and low black shoes, size 10-12.

On his body was a Helbros flat watch, invincible with cracked lens, shockproof, steel back, waterproof and antimagnetic and $24.16 between a wallet and pockets. The wallet was black genuine pigskin with no identification. A calendar card from the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Washington, D.C. was in the wallet.

House keys were found from the International Lock Company. Also found was a pocket watch-type compass with silver case, flip top, black face and the model was "Edge" made in Japan.

There was no apparent indication of foul play according to the Sheriff Department.

Any department with a missing person matching the above description is asked to notify the Oneida County Sheriff's Department.

Source: "The Tomahawk Leader" newspaper, Thursday, April 3, 1980 - Volume #93, Number #50, Page #1 - Tomahawk Public Library in Tomahawk, Wisconsin