Authorities say no foul play is suspected after an elderly brother and sister were discovered dead months apart in the same residence.
TWO CREEKS, Wis. — Authorities have determined that 74-year-old Sandra Krall died of natural causes only days before she and her brother, 82-year-old Kenneth Krall, were found dead on a couch inside their rural Manitowoc County home on Feb. 3. Investigators believe Kenneth had died more than six months earlier.
The findings close one of the major questions surrounding the unusual case while leaving another unanswered. The Manitowoc County Coroner’s Office ruled out foul play after examining both deaths. Sandra’s death was attributed to hypertensive cardiovascular disease and other heart-related conditions. Kenneth’s cause of death could not be determined because his remains had significantly decomposed before they were discovered.
The investigation began after neighbors became concerned that they had not seen or heard from the siblings for an extended period. Their concerns grew after power to the property had been disconnected and the home appeared unoccupied. A person who leased farmland from the Kralls also went to the property, leading to the discovery. Deputies responding to the welfare check entered the residence and found both siblings deceased in the living room. Coroner Curtis Green later determined that Kenneth had likely died sometime around May 2025, while Sandra remained alive in the home for months before dying only days before the bodies were found. Investigators said there were no signs of significant trauma on Kenneth’s body, further supporting the conclusion that no criminal act had occurred.
Officials said Sandra’s autopsy found evidence of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with additional heart-related conditions contributing to her death. Those findings led the coroner to classify her death as natural. Kenneth’s body, however, had deteriorated to the point that medical examiners could not establish a definitive medical cause. Coroner Green said the condition of the remains prevented a conclusive determination despite the absence of injuries that would suggest violence. Investigators have emphasized that nothing uncovered during the investigation indicates another person caused either death. As a result, the case has not been treated as a homicide or suspicious death, though authorities completed a detailed review of the circumstances surrounding the discovery.
The case also drew attention because electrical service to the property had been disconnected several weeks before the bodies were found. According to Wisconsin Public Service, the account serving the property was listed as an agricultural and commercial account owned by a business rather than a residential account. Because of that classification, the utility said different disconnection rules applied than those protecting many residential customers during the winter months. Company representatives said multiple attempts were made to contact the account holder before service was terminated on Dec. 1. The utility added that it followed all procedures required for that type of account and noted that the residence had never been identified as living quarters in its records.
Investigators have not publicly explained how Sandra managed during the months after Kenneth’s death or whether she sought outside assistance. Those details remain unknown. Authorities likewise have not released additional information about the siblings’ medical histories or daily circumstances before they lost contact with neighbors. The case has nevertheless highlighted the challenges that can arise when elderly people living in isolated rural areas become disconnected from relatives, neighbors or regular services. Officials have not indicated that family members had maintained frequent contact with the pair, and no evidence has been released suggesting anyone was aware Kenneth had died months before the welfare check.
Residents in the rural community expressed sadness after learning the timeline reconstructed by investigators. While the facts of the case proved unusual, officials have consistently stressed that their investigation found no indication of foul play. The lengthy gap between Kenneth’s death and Sandra’s death, followed by the eventual discovery during a welfare check, made the case especially uncommon for local investigators. Authorities completed their forensic review after months of examination and said the available medical evidence supports the conclusions announced by the coroner.
The investigation remains administratively complete, with officials saying no criminal charges are expected. Kenneth Krall’s cause of death will remain officially undetermined because of the condition of his remains, while Sandra Krall’s death has been certified as resulting from natural causes.
Author note: Last updated June 25, 2026.