The person at the center of this case
Ronnie Joe Kirk
Homicide · Open
36 years waiting · since 1989
RONNIE JOE KIRK - MADISON, WISCONSIN
Justice for Ronnie Joe Kirk — the trail went cold in 1989, but the truth hasn't.
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Key leads to think about
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evidence
Lead #1What were the circumstances that led to Kirk being found in the chimney, and was there evidence of foul play?
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timeline
Lead #2Kirk's life history between 1968 and 1989 remains largely unknown—what was he doing during these 21 years and where was he traveling?
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person
Lead #3Did Kirk have connections to the Good 'n Loud music store or to Madison, and why was he in that location?
Ronnie Joe Kirk was discovered dead inside a chimney at the Good 'n Loud music store in Madison, Wisconsin on September 3, 1989, remaining unidentified for 35 years until 2024 when forensic genetic genealogy confirmed his identity. The circumstances of how Kirk ended up in the chimney and the cause of death remain under investigation. Authorities seek information about Kirk's life and movements between 1968 and 1989, particularly his travels through Alabama, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.
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More leads to consider
Beyond the top three above — each detail below could be the thread that pulls this case open.
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witness
Lead #4Were there any witnesses or employees at the music store who may have information about Kirk or suspicious activity?
Have information about any of these leads?
Even the smallest detail could be the key to solving this case.
Official wording
Source Narrative
Madison, Wisconsin September 3, 1989 Police are seeking information regarding the death of Ronnie Joe Kirk. Kirk was found deceased in a chimney of the Good ‘n Loud music store in Madison, Wisconsin, on September 3, 1989.
He was listed as Unidentified Human Remains until 2024, when Kirk was identified through Forensic Genetic Genealogy. Kirk was born in Oklahoma and is known to have traveled through the above listed states.
Investigators are asking anyone with information regarding this case to come forward. Investigators also request anyone with information regarding Kirk’s life and whereabouts since 1968 to contact investigators to help fill in his life timeline for the investigation.
Remarks: Kirk was known to have traveled through Alabama, California, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Wisconsin.
Timeline of Events
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1989-09-03
Body discovered in chimney
Ronnie Joe Kirk was found deceased inside a chimney at the Good 'n Loud music store in Madison, Wisconsin
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2024
Victim identified
Kirk was identified through Forensic Genetic Genealogy after 35 years as unidentified human remains
Key Locations
Interactive map showing important locations related to this case
Case Information
Incident:September 3, 1989
Last Updated:June 15, 2026
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Case Information
Incident:September 3, 1989
Last Updated:June 15, 2026