WOOD COUNTY, WI (OnFocus) – On November 27, 1984, Eleanore Roberts, a 73-year-old woman, was found beaten and stabbed to death in her rural Town of Saratoga home. After decades with no arrests made, the cold case was reopened and in August 2020 Port Edwards man John Sarver was arrested and charged with the murder.
Sarver, 58, was formally charged in Wood County Circuit Court with First Degree Murder, a Class A Felony. After deliberation, a 12-person jury found him guilty.
According to the criminal complaint, Sarver knew Roberts from fixing her lawn mower in September 1984 and returned to rob her on November 26, 1984. She surprised him by being home, at which time he brutally attacked and murdered her. Her son Marshall found her body in the bathroom.
The investigation continued for decades at the Wood County Sheriffs Office, with assistance from the DOJ Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI). Also assisting was the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory.
We welcome your stories! Contact us at [email protected]!
Author: News Desk
This piece was posted by our news team! Contact us or submit stories at [email protected].
