Laura Tennessen Case
In 2006, three Wisconsin men were charged with allegedly digging up Laura Tennessen's corpse for sexual purposes after seeing her obituary photo in a local newspaper. On July 26, 2007, an appeals court ruled the men could not be charged with attempted sexual assault because Wisconsin has no law against necrophilia.1 However, in July, 2008, charges were reinstated against the three suspects after the Wisconsin State Supreme Court ruled that state law did, in fact, prohibit necrophilia.2
Fast Facts
- Defendants: Nicholas Grunke, Alexander Grunke and Dustin Radke
- Laura Tennessen death: August 28, 2006
- Date of Crime: September 2, 2006
- Location: Cassville, Wisconsin
- Suspects were caught before committing sexual acts against corpse2
State Supreme Court Decision
In their 5-2 decision, the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that because individuals who are dead are unable to give their consent, sex with their bodies is illegal.2 Laura Tennessen had been killed a week before the alleged crime in a motorcycle accident.
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