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3 Charged in Connection To Death of Man Found in Ditch Near Foster

Sunday, September 4th, 2022 -- 6:17 AM

Three people are charged in connection to the death of a man found in a ditch in Eau Claire County in June.

Court records show 37-year-old Philip Novak of Milwaukee, Wis. is facing charges of 1st-degree intentional homicide, attempted armed robbery, possession of a firearm by a felon, and felony bail jumping.

Additionally, Court records show 25-year-old Vanessa Ketteman of Eau Claire, Wis. is facing a charge of 1st-degree Intentional homicide as party to a crime. 39-year-old Kristina Keppert of Cadott, Wis. is also facing a charge of 1st-degree intentional homicide as party to a crime.

Novak is accused the death of 46-year-old Eddie Banks.

Banks died of an apparent gunshot wound and was found dead in a ditch on Mallard Road north of Foster and east of the St. Raymond Parish church in the town of Clear Creek. According to the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office, a report was called in around 11:03 a.m. Thursday, June 16 from someone who saw a body in the ditch on Mallard Road.

The Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office put out a plea for the public’s help in finding Novak. He was taken into custody in Price County several days after the body was found.

According to a criminal complaint, a witness said Novak had mentioned something about a man owing him money or someone having been “taken” for money. Novak had indicated that the man was at a motel. Witnesses also heard one or both women who were with Novak talking about “setting up” the guy that was supposed to be in a motel for Novak. Witnesses saw that Novak had a handgun.

The complaint says the three were in a truck with Banks when the gun was fired.

According to the criminal complaint, a subsequent autopsy was conducted by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner. It was ultimately concluded that the cause of Banks’ death was exsanguination due to the gunshot wound to his face and the manner of death was homicide. (WEAU)

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