Man Charged with 1985 Wisconsin Rapids Homicide Dies While Awaiting Trial

Wednesday, March 6th, 2024 -- 2:00 PM

(Mike Leischner, WSAU) The man suspected of killing Benny Scruggs in Wisconsin Rapids back in 1985 has died while awaiting trial for the murder charge, according to the state Department of Corrections.

According to Mike Leischner with WSAU, Donald Maier passed away on February 22nd. Investigators are still working to determine his cause of death, and the DOC has released no further information. Maier was serving time for an unrelated stalking charge while awaiting trial.

Witnesses at a Racine prison say he bragged about killing Scruggs and said he may one day write a book about how he did it. Charges were officially filed against him in the fall of 2022. He was deemed competent for trial in the summer of 2023.

The case appeared to be on track until mid-February when a second competency examination was ordered. No further court action was scheduled at the time of his death.

Maier is the 4th inmate to die at the Waupun Correctional Institute since last June. One of those deaths has been ruled a suicide, the rest remain under investigation. Poor conditions at the prison have been blamed on a shortage of guards, leading the DOC to initiate lockdowns.

Those actions have led to lawsuits against the facilities, which are pending.

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