Episode 19: Richard Hlavaty
Hello,
This is one I had to think about including in this series. I am including it cause I think there could be a connecting in the long run. Mainly cause I think it could be a group of people behind these and not just one person.
I didn’t do anything real cooking for this episode I chopped up a Cucumber. If you need instruction on that you are going to need another video for that.
This one is on the disappearance and death of 19 year old Richard Hlavaty.
On July 11, 1997, after leaving a bar in the Pearl & Third Street area, Richard and his brother, James, were chased by a group of men after a fight. Outnumbered, the Hlavaty brothers jumped into the river to escape, and the group threw hand-size rocks at them. During the assault, Richard Hlavaty drowned.
His brother James did survive this ordeal but was unable to identify the individuals who chased him. Captain of the La Crosse policed stated ‘"I take extreme issue with anyone who tries to connect evidence in the Hlavaty case to these other four deaths. The Hlavaty case is not remotely related. He was chased into the river." He also stated that foul play was involved in the death, and if the men had been identified, they would have faced charges, such as reckless homicide or manslaughter. The case was suspended by police but will be opened if they receive additional information.
The medical Examiner determined that the injuries caused by rocks were not severe enough to cause death. It also determined that Richard’s blood alcohol content was 0.271 at the time of death, which was nearly three times the legal limit. The cause of death was ruled drowning, but the manner of death was ruled undetermined.
I have included 2 newspaper articles below about Richard.
So the Question is….Was this just a random happenstance or was this group of men the ones behind the other men who have met a similar faith?
Richard is the only one that was found at South Cass Street Bridge. However there were 8 other Men in the La Crosse area that either drowned or went missing. Can that really be a coincidence?
Facts of Interest in this Case
Name/age: Richard Hlavaty, 19 (from Western Springs, IL)
Physical description: unknown
Location last seen: bar on Pearl & Third Street in La Crosse, WI then Mississippi River
Date & time last seen: 07/11/97, time unknown
Date and location recovered: 07/13/97 (main channel of river, south of Cass Street bridge)
Cause of death ruling: drowning
Manner of death ruling: undetermined, but foul play involved (potential reckless homicide or manslaughter)
Injuries: numerous non-life-threatening injuries
References
https://footprintsattheriversedge.blogspot.com/2006/11/richard-hlavaty-19-lacrosse-wi-july.html
https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/lifestyle/2006/10/29/in-wisconsin-the-tragedy-of-drinking-and-drowning/d7ac4c4c-3be0-4ad4-8750-cadfe75fe76d/
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/119441961/richard-j-hlavaty/photo
https://www.twincities.com/2007/09/03/fbi-debunks-rumor-serial-killer-caused-drownings-in-la-crosse/
