A somber discovery was made at the old Milwaukee Mall building on Tuesday night, where an individual was reported dead. The Milwaukee County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed their response to the building for at least one death, as reported by WISN. Details regarding the individual and circumstances of the death were initially scarce as the incident drew attention.
The site of the occurrence is soaked in local history, standing at the intersection of West Fond du Lac and North avenues, once home to Milwaukee's first Sears store back in the 1920s. After the closure of Sears in 1981, the spot briefly hosted the Fondy Mall, later transformed into an indoor flea market known as Milwaukee Mall, which shut its doors over a decade ago. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel provided this background information on the location which has recently been part of development plans involving a variety of proposed venues.
Additional reports from CBS 58 have identified the deceased as a 65-year-old person found within the now-vacant building. The Milwaukee Police Department, which is leading the investigation into the death, says that foul play is not suspected. However, the precise cause of death has not been established as the inquiry proceeds.
The property has seen its share of difficulties, entangled in financial challenges stretching back years. Developer Kalan Haywood Sr. had acquired a $3.79 million loan from the City of Milwaukee for a hotel project that has yet to materialize, with the repayment deadline having been set for this month, according to The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Despite these setbacks, the future of the site remains a subject of interest to the community, considering a long history and the promise of renewal once entertained by developers.
The Milwaukee Police Department has yet to release further details regarding the investigation as they delve into the circumstances surrounding the death. Communication with authorities is ongoing, and additional information will be made available as they are released to the public.
