Probable cause found to put Tomah man on trial for 1985 killing of Dolowy

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

Prosecutor Kevin Chroninger says the evidence suggests a motive pointing to Popp as the murder suspect, and 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.