GRAFTON, Wis. — A man who was found dead inside a car in Grafton Saturday morning, March 4, died from a gunshot wound, the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office said in an update Monday.
The case is now being investigated as a homicide.
The sheriff's office says the victim, 49-year-old Laeng Sanavongsay, was from out of state and did not have any ties to Ozaukee County. His last known residence was in Texas.
An autopsy conducted Monday at the Milwaukee Medical Examiner's Office revealed he died from a gunshot wound.
The case appears to be an isolated and targeted incident. The sheriff's office believes the suspect(s) in the case knew or had a connection to Sanavongsay.
His car, a white four-door 2022 Chevrolet Malibu, was registered to a rental company out of Illinois. The sheriff's office says the car's interior suggests the car was on fire for a short period of time before it extinguished itself.
The car was in the east ditch on County Highway C south of Tallgrass Drive. Authorities originally said they believe the car was parked in that same location since Friday night.
"The area where the vehicle was discovered would appear to be a remote area for anyone who does not live there or for anyone who is not familiar with the area," the sheriff's office said in a statement Tuesday. "The location is a rural area with a farm field bordering the east side of the roadway. It is believed this area was chosen specifically for its appeared remoteness. Our community and the immediate area were not, or is not, in danger relating to this incident."
The sheriff's office said it is working with state partners and have reached out to federal partners because the investigation involves several states.
Authorities are encouraging the community to be vigilant and to report any suspicious activity.
The sheriff's office is seeking information regarding the car and any other cars or people that were traveling with it on Friday night, March 3. If you saw anything, you are asked to contact the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office at (262) 284-7172.
