Michelle Angeli was 41 years old when she was murdered. Her body was found on the side of a highway in Brighton, Wisconsin, more than 15 years ago, and the person responsible for her murder has yet to be brought to justice.
After graduating from Mary D. Bradford High School in 1980, Angeli attended the Milwaukee School of Cosmetology.
She subsequently began working as a model for Merle Norman Cosmetics Co. as well as a waitress for several years at various restaurants in Kenosha County, according to the Kenosha News.
Angeli then became involved with drugs.
It is believed that sometime after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder and schizophrenia, she moved into an upper unit at the Transitional Living Center, an assisted living apartment building located in the 5500 block of 19th Avenue.
Staff members stated that she would often check in with the Community Support Program, but after Aug. 22, 2003, those check-ins stopped.
On Aug. 27, 2003, the staff contacted the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department and reported Michelle Angeli missing.
Investigators stated that Angeli was last seen on Aug. 25, 2003, leaving a local tavern, Johnny Midnight’s, with a Hispanic male.
Witnesses told investigators that the male appeared to be in his 40s, and he was described as “clean-cut with a medium build, and he was wearing a large, gold ring.”
Sheriff’s Capt. Gary D. Preston stated that “a partygoer saw him with her, so naturally we’re curious as to who he is and what might know.”
Investigators said he was not a suspect in the case.
On the morning of Sept. 8, 2003, Michelle Angeli was found dead in the grass along Highway 75. A county worker was mowing an embankment when he spotted the nude body, which was partially decomposed, of a female about 20 feet from the roadway, The Journal Times reported.
The body was identified through fingerprints as Angeli’s.
Her cause of death has not been revealed, but police officials are investigating her case as a homicide.
Anyone with information regarding the unsolved murder of Michelle Angeli is encouraged to contact the Kenosha County Sheriff’s Department Detective Bureau at (262) 605-5102 or call Crime Stoppers at (262) 656-7333.