By Shereen Siewert
WAUSAU — Police have released the name of a 35-year-old man found dead March 15 in an east side home following a high speed chase and an hours-long standoff.
Jonathan P. Butler is believed to have died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a Marathon County Sheriff’s Department news release. An investigation is ongoing.
According to the release, the Wausau Police Department had been working to make contact with Butler amid concerns about his welfare. As part of the investigation, officers attempted to pull Butler’s vehicle over at about noon on March 14. That’s when Butler fled, leading officers on a short pursuit that ended at Butler’s Augusta Avenue home, according to the release.
As officers approached the house, they heard a gunshot from within the residence.
Officers set up a perimeter to observe the home from a safe location. Several homes in the area were evacuated for safety, and an area of the roadway was blocked for several hours.
After obtaining a search warrant, police say SWAT team members entered the home and found Butler dead.
Police have asked the media and the public to respect the family’s privacy at this time.
Additional information will be available at the conclusion of the investigation.
Photo courtesy of Then & Now Photography
