Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office seeking public’s help
By Jalen Maki
Tomahawk Leader Editor
LINCOLN COUNTY – More than nine months since a Tomahawk-area man was last seen, the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into his disappearance and is asking for the public’s help in locating him.
David Lee Strahota, age 61, described as being 5’4” tall and weighing 200 pounds, was last heard from around Nov. 17, 2021, when he told friends he was “going hunting down south for a couple of weeks.” At that time, the Sheriff’s Office said Strahota had been vague about his exact location and who, if anyone, he would be with, noting he could have potentially gone to the Fox Valley area in eastern Wisconsin.
Strahota did not have a cell phone at the time he went missing and left his vehicle at his residence, which is not out of the ordinary because he usually rides with others, according to the Sheriff’s Office. His home and property were searched, but no leads to his location were discovered, the Sheriff’s Office said in April.
On June 22, an “extensive search” of a property on State Hwy. 86 west of Tomahawk was launched. The Sheriff’s Office said the property was the last location Strahota was seen.
The Wisconsin Department of Justice (DOJ), the Merrill Police Department, the Tomahawk Police Department, the Tomahawk Fire Department and K-9s from Canine Search Solutions LLC assisted the Sheriff’s Office in the search.
Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Grant Peterson last week said “nothing of significance” was found during the search.
“There are tips coming in regularly, but nothing earth-shattering as of yet,” Peterson stated on Wednesday, Aug. 24.
Strahota is currently listed on the Wisconsin Department of Justice Clearinghouse for Missing and Exploited Children and Adults, as well as the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System.
The Sheriff’s Office said individuals with information on Strahota’s whereabouts can contact Sergeant Investigator Logan Lange at 715-536-6272.
“This includes anyone that may have given David a ride(s) in or around the Tomahawk area within that timeframe,” a post on the Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook page stated. “Also, as we transition from summer into fall, please be mindful when in wooded areas and report anything suspicious.”
No other information regarding Strahota or the investigation had been released as of press time on Monday, Aug. 29.