A Dane County woman’s body was the only one found in or near an SUV submerged in Lake Mendota near the Spring Harbor Park boat launch. Dane County Medical Examiner Director of Operations Barry Irmen identified the victim as Julie B. Metcalfe of Fitchburg Monday night. She was 51.
According to the Madison Fire Department, around 7:30 a.m. Monday the report of the submerged SUV came in. Approximately 30 minutes later, MFD divers discovered a body at the scene. MFD then turned the scene over to the Madison Police Department and the Dane County Sheriff’s office around 9:15 a.m.
Madison Police Department Public Information Officer Joel DeSpain wrote in an incident report that patrol officers canvassed the area in search of information in the
"There is no indication of foul play, but we can't rule anything out until the investigation is complete," DeSpain told the Wisconsin State Journal.
Irmen said the cause of death was drowning and that further testing is underway.
Boys and Girls Club CEO Michael Johnson released a statement on behalf of the Metcalfe family before Irmen released the information on the victim.
“The Metcalfe family would like to thank everyone for their sympathy and prayers,” the statement said. “Today, we lost a member of our family and are grieving and ask that you give us time to cope with the loss of our loved one.”
UPDATE Nov. 28 6:08 p.m.: This story was updated to include additional information. The article was also updated to correct Michael Johnson's program affiliation. The Daily Cardinal regrets this error.
