A 23-year-old murder investigation ended Monday when first- and second-degree murder charges were filed against John Willis Nissalke for the murder of Ada Senenfelder in June 1985.
Senenfelder, 40, was found June 6, 1985 dead in her bed. Police also found a knife, "male DNA" and other biological samples at the scene of the murder. Although Nissalke insists he's never been in Senenfelder's bedroom, modern DNA testing has found he is a possible contributor of the found DNA material, the complaint states.
Nissalke, 42, faces four counts of aiding and abetting premeditated murder.
Two first-degree counts carry life sentences in prison. He is currently in the Winona County Jail on unrelated charges he assaulted an officer during an investigation of his home in the 950 block of East King Street on May 22.
According to the criminal complaint, Nissalke disappeared from a party late June 5, 1985 around the time of the murder. He was seen later that night with his hand wrapped in a blood-soaked cloth and was apparently looking for a knife he "misplaced."
According to witness statements, Nissalke often bragged about the murder and on more than 30 separate ocassions he reportedly said to his associates, "If you're snitching, I'll stab you like I stabbed (Senenfelder)."
Nissalke was also reported to say, "I cut her three times in the throat and once in the heart," details never released to the press but that corroborated with autopsy findings.
Nissalke is scheduled to make a first appearance on the murder charges June 19.
Keep checking www.winonadailynews.com for updates.

