Full Breakdown
Fond du Lac Home Search Uncovers Human Remains and Serial Killer Memorabilia
8/30/2026, 11:36:54 AM
Core Event: Search Warrant Leads to Discovery of Human Remains
On August 14, detectives from the Madison Police Department and the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant at the residence of Benjamin C. Larson, a 47-year-old man in Taycheedah, Fond du Lac County. Investigators entered a padlocked basement room and found a collection that included multiple human skulls, a partial skull, a human jawbone, skeletal remains displayed in a glass casket, a mummy labeled “Princes Taheb 1600 BC,” and a lifelike silicone doll. The space also contained binders and framed images related to notorious serial killers such as Edward Gein, John Wayne Gacy, and the Zodiac Killer, as well as bottles marked “Arsenic,” “Strychnine,” “Cyanide,” and “Ricin.”
Background & Context: Stalking Investigation Triggered the Search
The search originated from a felony stalking case filed in Dane County. The alleged victim, a woman from Madison, contacted police on July 31, reporting that she had briefly dated Larson in 2013 and had since endured a decade-long pattern of unsolicited letters, cards, emails, and complaints filed against her with professional licensing boards. The stalking complaint led to a criminal charge of one count of Class I felony stalking against Larson. He posted a $15,000 cash bond and was released pending a future court appearance.
Key Figures
- Benjamin C. Larson — 47-year-old resident of Taycheedah, charged with felony stalking.
- Ryan Waldschmidt — Fond du Lac County Sheriff, overseeing the investigation and coordinating forensic analysis.
- Forensic anthropologist (affiliated with the Wisconsin Crime Lab) — tasked with determining the origin and age of the skeletal material.
Data & Statistics
- Additional items include a mummy, a glass-casketed set of remains, and numerous serial-killer–related artifacts.
Official Statements & Responses
Sheriff Waldschmidt said the investigation will likely span months because specialized forensic testing is required to confirm whether any of the remains are authentic and to establish their age. He noted that the forensic anthropologist’s initial physical examination suggests many of the remains are likely ancient Native American, but that several specimens need laboratory analysis to determine their precise origin. The sheriff’s office also emphasized that no charges related to the human remains have been filed at this time and that the investigation remains active.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact count of skulls recovered, with one describing five skulls and another describing six. Both agree that the remains’ authenticity and chronology are still undetermined, and officials have not disclosed whether any of the material could be modern-era human remains. The investigation has not yet clarified how Larson obtained the remains, and no legal proceedings beyond the stalking charge have been initiated concerning the skeletal material.
What’s Next
Law enforcement continues to work with the Wisconsin Crime Lab, the Wisconsin Historical Society, the Wisconsin Inter-Tribal Repatriation Committee, and specialized laboratories to complete forensic testing. The sheriff’s office indicated that the case will remain open for several months while experts analyze the specimens. Larson is scheduled to appear in court later in the year to address the stalking charge, and any additional findings from the forensic analysis could lead to further legal action.
