Eau Claire Woman Pleads Guilty in Connection with the Death of a Man Found in Eau Claire County

Friday, May 17th, 2024 -- 6:01 PM

(Heather Knox, WEAU) An Eau Claire woman pleaded guilty today to amended and added charges in connection to the death of a man found in a ditch in Eau Claire County in June of 2022.

According to Heather Knox with WEAU, court records show that on May 15, 41-year-old Kristina Keppert of Eau Claire, Wis., pleaded guilty to an amended charge of felony murder - false imprisonment as a repeat offender and an added count of hiding a corpse as a repeat offender.

The court accepted her plea and found her guilty. The cash bond was revoked. A sentencing hearing is scheduled for Nov. 21. The victim, 46-year-old Eddie 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. Vanessa Ketteman of Eau Claire, Wis., and Philip Novak of Milwaukee, Wis., were also charged in connection with Banks’ death.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.