No remains found in search for missing woman

Lina Portman3 days ago

0 1 minute read

RICE LAKE, Wis. (WEAU) – The Rice Lake Police Department today provided an update in the search for a woman who has been missing since May 13.

According to a news release from the agency, it has spent the past two weeks working with the Barron County Waste-to-Energy Recycling Center and the Republic Services Lake Area Landfill to try to recover the remains of Melissa Davis, 39.

The search was conducted with the assistance of Barron County Sheriff's Office detectives and cadaver dogs. The search also included ash remains from the Barron County Waste-to-Energy and Recycling Facility from the day human remains were observed on video inside the facility.

No remains were found.

Research at waste treatment facilities has been halted.

The Rice Lake Police Department will continue to investigate additional leads and analyze video evidence as it becomes available.

WEAU made multiple attempts to contact the Rice Lake Police Department for clarification on the investigation into Davis' disappearance, but the department did not respond to our emails or phone calls.

According to a previous press release, on May 13 at approximately 7:19 p.m., Davis entered a commercial dumpster near her home shortly after leaving her home on foot. The release states that no one was with her or near her when she entered the dumpster voluntarily. She was not seen leaving the dumpster.

On May 14, the contents of the dumpster were transported to an incinerator for disposal. Suspect human remains wearing clothing similar to Davis's and with similar physical characteristics were seen on video in the incinerator building.