OSHKOSH, Wis. — Authorities in Winnebago County are investigating after the body of a man was discovered in Lake Winnebago on Saturday morning, October 25, 2025, near the Mill Street Boat Launch in Oshkosh. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office confirmed the victim as Victor Krause, whose family has been notified.
According to officials, deputies were dispatched at 11:32 a.m. after receiving reports of suspicious items and pieces of clothing floating roughly 50 feet from shore, southeast of the mouth of the Fox River. Responding units quickly launched a patrol boat to investigate the scene. Upon reaching the location, deputies confirmed that the floating items were attached to a human body. Krause was pronounced deceased shortly after recovery.
Authorities have not released information on how long the body may have been in the water or whether foul play is suspected. The Winnebago County Coroner’s Office and Sheriff’s detectives are working closely to determine the cause and manner of death through forensic examination and autopsy results. Officials say that all possibilities remain under review as they continue gathering evidence.
Residents in the area reported an increased police and emergency presence at the boat launch for several hours as investigators processed the scene and coordinated with dive teams and recovery personnel. The discovery has left many in the Oshkosh community unsettled, as officials work to piece together the events leading to Krause’s tragic death.
The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office has urged anyone who may have seen suspicious activity near Lake Winnebago or the Mill Street Boat Launch in recent days to contact their department. Detectives believe public assistance could prove critical in reconstructing the timeline of events prior to the discovery.
As the investigation continues, friends and family are mourning the loss of Victor Krause, remembering him as a beloved member of the community. The Sheriff’s Office is expected to release additional details pending autopsy results and the completion of the investigation.