New Berlin death investigation, person of interest in custody

NEW BERLIN, Wis. - A 77-year-old New Berlin man was found dead Monday, and the Ozaukee County Sheriff's Office has a person of interest in custody.

Neighbors identified the man as Richard Platt, and said he had lived in the Glen Park Court home where he was found for more than three decades. 

"It’s just very shocking," said neighbor Thomas Geske. "It’s a quiet neighborhood, very little happens – in this manner, you know."

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

Shocked and unexpected were a few of the words neighbors used to describe Platt's sudden death. Geske said the 77-year-old often kept to himself and has lived alone since his wife passed away.

"If the weather was nice, he would be out working on his house, working on his truck, working on his yard," he said. "He would sometimes come by, and we’d chat for a while, and he was very talkative."

Thomas Geske

Police conducted a welfare check and found Platt dead in his home Monday night. They said the tip came from Ozaukee County, where sheriff's deputies said a 42-year-old Glendale woman was partially clothed and running through backyards in Cedarburg. She was found in someone's garage, and gave information to investigators that led to the welfare check.

"They did know each other. We can confirm that," said New Berlin Police Capt. Steve Thompson.

Authorities said the 42-year-old is currently being held as a person of interest. While many questions are still unanswered, neighbors agreed on one thing about Platt.

FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android.

"He’ll be missed," Geske said.

Police have not classified as a homicide; they are awaiting a manner of death from the county medical examiner's office. Investigators are also trying to determine how Platt and the person of interest knew one another.

Officials said there is no threat to the public.