10/12/08: Eric Volp, 28, Iron Mountain, MI

Eric Volp

Eric M. Volp, 28, was last seen the early morning hours of October 12, 2008 leaving the North Stables Pub in Iron Mountain, Michigan. He was on foot and alone, and police do not believe Volp, who was insulin dependent, ever made it back to his Iron Mountain apartment.

Eric Volp's aunt, Maria Volp, learned of his disappearance the following day when he failed to accompany her to church. She he talked with Volp's neighbor and learned he had been dropped off at the pub the night before. After checking the hospital, Maria Volp filed a missing person's report.


Search and Recovery

Investigators are considering the possibility that Volp accepted a ride from someone. Volp had been calling people from his cell phone sporadically from 10 p.m. on Friday night until after the bar closed on Saturday morning. One of those calls was to his aunt, Maria Volp at 11 p.m., but she was out of town. He also made a number of short calls between 2:19 a.m. and 2:42 a.m. to different acquaintances, but police do not believe he was able to reach anyone he called. His cell phone was never recovered.
 Officers from the Iron Mountain Police Department a ground search of the Chapin Pit area and Millie Hill. A canine unit from Vilas County, Wis. failed to find any clues.

On July 6, 2009, Eric Volp's partially clothed remains were found in K.C. creek by a trout fisherman in July, approximately 150 yards south of the bridge. The creek is 1.5 miles from Dunbar, Wisconsin and about 20 miles from Iron Mountain where Volp was last seen. The body was identified through dental records and a distinctive tattoo on the back of Volp's neck showing two faces--one smiling and one frowning. A forensic pathologist who examined the body believes the the remains could have been in the creek since Volp's disappearance.

Police said the heavily-wooded area where the body was found makes for a difficult investigation because of the tall grass, big ants, and numerous trees. The area continues to be searched for evidence.

Two autopsies were done, one in Green Bay and one at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Both noted significant trauma, including blunt trauma to the chest, some trauma to the head, and several broken bones. The exact cause of death is unknown, but authorities told the media that it did not appear to be a drowning. They added that Volp's death was not natural and can be considered suspicious. They are not ruling out foul play.

Iron Mountain Police Chief, Peter Flaminio told the Upper Michigan's Source that investigators were not aware of any possible enemies of Volp.

Several tissue samples have been taken from Volp's body and will be submitted to the Wisconsin Crime Lab. Any new information on what type of drugs or alcohol, if any, were in his system could take four to six weeks.

Eric's aunt, Maria Volp, told The Daily News the family is grateful Volp's body has finally been found, "Finding his body does not give closure, but it does comfort us to be able to put him to rest in a more worthy place," she said. "Finding his body will also allow police to investigate his disappearance and death once again to hopefully find answers as to who caused it."

Volp was a nearly lifelong resident of New Berlin, Wis., and moved to Iron Mountain in December 2007 to live with his aunt. "He came here to build work skills and gain some job experience," Maria Volp explained. "During the 10 months he was here, he gained experience not only in work skills, but also in his faith, going to church regularly."


Obituary
           

IRON MOUNTAIN - Eric Matthew Volp, 28, of Iron Mountain, was joined with the Lord Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008.

He was born May 28, 1980, in Milwaukee, son of the Steven and Diane Volp.

Eric attended Guardian Angels Catholic Church as well as other area Catholic churches. He was employed at Little Caesar's Pizza. He enjoyed playing on the city soccer league and hanging out at B's Cafe. He graduated from Norris High School and continued his education at Waukesha County Technical College.

He is survived by his father, Steven Volp of Germantown, Wis.; his mother, Diane Volp, of New Berlin, Wis.; his brother, Brian, of New Berlin; his godmother, S. Maria Volp of Iron Mountain; stepmother, Barbara Volp of Germantown; stepbrother, Mark Hungsberg of Milwaukee; grandparents, Eddie and Ruth Weidner of Oshkosh, and his grandmother, Mary Volp; and many aunts, uncles and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Evelyn and Raymond Volp.

Funeral services will be held on Saturday at Holy Cross Cemetery Chapel, 7301 Nash St. in Milwaukee at 11:30 a.m.

Donations will be used for a memorial in lieu of flowers.



Case Details
Name/age: Eric M. Volp, 28
Hometown: New Berlin, Wisconsin
Residence: Stockbridge Avenue, Iron Mountain, Michigan
Employer: Little Caesar's Pizza
Physical Description: white male, 5'9", 125 pounds, short brown hair possibly wearing white Abercrombie & Fitch baseball cap and an off-white Old Navy jacket
Circumstances of concern: insulin dependent and has not had medication
Last seen: 10/12/08, North Stables Pub, Iron Mountain, Michigan
Recovered: 7/6/09, K.C. Creek, Dunbar, Wisconsin
Investigating Agency: Iron Mountain Police Department, (906) 774-1234
 

Sources

Hoffman, Lisa M. (2009, July 9).Volp's body found. Iron Mountain Daily News. Retrieved July 9, 2009 from http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/508939.html

Zimmermann, Natalie. (2009, July 9). Update: Body found in Dunbar. Upper Michigan Source. Retrieved July 9, 2009 from http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=322803#.USRb3RisNaU.

Staff Writer. (2009, August 13). Obituary, Eric Volp. The Daily News. Retrieved February 19, 2013 from http://www.ironmountaindailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/509755.html