Probable cause found to put Tomah man on trial for 1985 killing of UW-La Crosse student, Doloway

A judge has found probable cause to try Michael Popp of Tomah for the murder of a Vernon County woman, almost 40 years ago.

Popp was arrested in September for the 1985 death of Terry Dolowy, who was a UW-La Crosse student when her headless body was discovered burning in a ditch.

Wisconsin DCI special agent Lindsay Lehr testified Friday at a court hearing for Popp in Viroqua.

Lehr said an autopsy of Dolowy did not determine how she died, but scientific tests detected that semen from Popp was present in Dolowy’s body.

Defense attorney Jennifer Lough argued that Dolowy could have been strangled or shot, or overdosed on drugs, and since the manner of death isn’t known, investigators don’t know for sure who was responsible.

Prosecutor Kevin Chroninger said the evidence from the autopsy suggests a motive pointing to Popp as the murder suspect. “People don’t cut off someone’s head, and burn them and throw them in a ditch if they died of a drug overdose,” Chroninger said in court.

Judge Mark Goodman declared there is probable cause to try Popp, who was 21 when the murder took place.

Popp is 61 now, and he’s expected to have his next court hearing shortly after Christmas.