EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- It's been one week since police in Eau Claire found the body of a man in his backyard.

Police say 39-year-old Paul Oberle was first found by his father last Saturday afternoon.

Officers say based on the autopsy results, they believe Oberle was murdered.

Since last week's investigation, yellow crime tape has been taken down but the investigation itself is ongoing.

Officers are continuing to collect evidence and interview neighbors.

So far, police will only say a possible suspect has been detained, but not arrested.

Investigators say something happened to Oberle between 5:30 a.m. and 6 a.m. on Saturday, June 9th. That's when Oberle got home from working at a local grocery store.

While investigators say his injuries were extensive, they won't release how he was killed.

The new district attorney is preparing to prosecute his first ever murder.

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Officers investigating the Vine Street murder say they have a suspect in the case who is being detained. That person's name has not been released.

The Eau Claire Police Department says its main priority in its investigation into the death of Paul Oberle, 39, of Eau Claire is public safety. It released the information to reassure the community. The department adds that the sensitivity of the case, confidentiality issues, and the integrity of the investigation limits what can be released right now.

Officers say they’re still investigating all leads related to Oberle’s death.

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Stories from 6/12/12:

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- "We understand Mr. Oberle was at work the previous night, we believed he arrived home between 5:30 and 6:00 in the morning," said Jerry Staniszweski, Deputy Chief of Detectives for the Eau Claire Police Department.

That was Saturday when Paul Oberle had just finished his shift at a local grocery store. But now police are focused on what happened after that and 1:42 p.m. that day, when Paul's father would find his son lying face down.

That is when the yellow tape went up, and the investigation began. Police were not saying if the victim died of natural causes or foul play was involved. But Sunday, that started changing.

"The information we've received so far leads us to believe that this was not a random act, in fact, it appears Mr. Oberle was targeted as the victim of this crime," Stanizweski said.

On Sunday, the investigation went past the victim's home. Detectives began searching a garage across the alley from the scene, and reaching out to neighbors for information.

"We picked this place on purpose. we've never had any crime, now it's across the street and it's scary," said Andrea Hermson, a neighbor.

"It's a little disturbing, but I still feel safe," said Donna Switzer, a neighbor.

Mixed reaction from neighbors, knowing Eau Claire's first murder in nearly four years happened so close to home, to someone who will not come home anymore.

"He would often go by to see his dad," Hermson added.

On Monday, police awaited autopsy results to help paint a picture of what may have happened over the weekend. And Tuesday we learned it from the autopsy that it was murder, that there were injuries but officers are not elaborating.

"I didn't think it would be as serious as it appears to be," Hermson added.

As of Tuesday night, police had made no arrests. A lot of information, a lot of questions, and a lot of emotion for those who live next door to the action.

"It's just really weird, it's strange," said Peter Brown, a neighbor.

NEW INFORMATION:

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The search is on for suspects in the Vine Street murder, a crime that’s shocking a community that hasn’t seen a killing in nearly four years.

Eau Claire Police have identified the victim as 39-year-old Paul A. Oberle.

WEAU 13 News has been covering this story since Saturday, when Oberle’s body was found outside his home on the 1300 block of Vine.

Deputy Chief of Detectives Jerry Staniszewski said investigators are trying to put together a timeline of the 24-hours before Oberle was found murdered.

“We understand Mr. Oberle was at work the previous night. We believed he arrived home between 5:30 and 6 o'clock in the morning,” Staniszewski said.

He said Oberle just got done working an overnight shift at a local grocery store when he returned home Saturday morning.

He said it wasn’t until Saturday at 1:42 p.m. did Oberle’s father find his son dead outside the victim’s home.

Police said the 39-year-old was found injured.

While detectives can’t elaborate on the extent of the injuries, they said the injuries were enough to have the Medical Examiner rule the death a homicide.

“The information we've received so far leads us to believe that this was not a random act, in fact, it appears Mr. Oberle was targeted as the victim of this crime,” Staniszewski said.

Investigators spent the weekend looking for evidence and interviewing neighbors.

Detectives were seen searching a house and garage across the alley from the scene of the crime on Sunday.

“We searched several garages in the area, so it may have just been part of the canvas, or it may have been something we got consent to search the garage to see if we could locate any evidence,” Staniszewski said.

Detectives wouldn’t say if there were any identified suspects or arrests.

Staniszewski said detectives will continue to investigate this case and follow up on leads and the public will be notified when an arrest is made.
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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) – Police are now calling the death of a man whose body was found Saturday a homicide.

Eau Claire Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of Paul Oberle, 39, of Eau Claire. A family member found Oberle’s body outside his home on Vine Street Saturday.

An autopsy was performed Monday in Hastings, MN. Police say they are withholding the manner in which Oberle died “for investigative purposes.”

Officers say their investigation shows that, so far, it was not a random act.

Eau Claire Police told WEAU 13 News' Aaron Dimick that the public should not worry because this was a targeted incident, but that people should always be vigilant. Officers said that Oberle worked at a grocery store, but wouldn't point out which store he worked at. They believe he had just finished working a night shift when he was killed Saturday morning.

Eau Claire Police still want to talk to anyone who may have information on Oberle’s death, anyone who had recent contact with him before Saturday, or anyone who was near the 1300 block of Vine Street on Saturday between 5:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. They can call the department at 715-839-4978.

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NEWS RELEASE-On Saturday, June 09, 2012, at 1:42 p.m., Eau Claire Police Officers and EMS were dispatched to 1316 Vine Street for a report of an unresponsive adult male who had been found outside by a family member. Upon arrival the responding officers located the individual in the backyard of his residence. Police officers and EMS confirmed that the male was deceased. Due to the circumstances of the death, including unexplained injuries, Eau Claire Police Department detectives and Crime Scene Unit personnel responded to process the scene and a formal death investigation ensued.
The deceased has been identified as:
Paul A. Oberle
39 years old
1316 Vine Street
Eau Claire, WI
On Monday, June 11, 2012, an autopsy was performed at Regina Medical Center in Hastings, Minnesota. Preliminary autopsy results indicate the cause of death is homicide. The manner of death is being withheld for investigative purposes.
Eau Claire Police Department detectives are continuing to actively investigate the circumstances surrounding Mr. Oberle’s death. The investigation thus far, however, indicates that this is not a random act, but rather it appears to be an isolated incident directed at Mr. Oberle.
Anyone who may have information pertaining to the death of Paul A. Oberle, including anyone who had recent contact with him prior to Saturday, June 9, 2012 or anyone who may have been in area or driving through the 1300 block of Vine Street on Saturday, June 9, 2012, between the hours of 5:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., is asked to call the Eau Claire Police Department Detective Division at 715-839-4978.

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Previous Story:

EAU CLAIRE, Wis (WEAU) - Police are expected to release new details Tuesday into the death of a man found behind a home in the 1300 block of Vine Street in Eau Claire.

An autopsy was completed Monday, but no information was released about the results.

No name has been released.

The man's body was found Saturday afternoon by his father at the home located at 1316 Vine St.

Yellow tape outlined in the home’s side yard where police said the man was discovered.

Neighbor Matt Kruschke said he witnessed authorities covering up the man’s body.

“He was face down on the ground for at least a couple hours,” Kruschke said.

The investigation went beyond just the man’s house.

Detectives were seen searching a house and garage just across the alley from the scene.

Investigators also spent part of the day reaching out to neighbors like Andrea Hermson, who lives across the street from the house.

“I didn't think it would be as serious as it appears to be,” Hermson said.

The Eau Claire woman said she didn’t have much interaction with the man but he would wave whenever he walked down the street to his father’s house.

It’s not yet known how long he was outside before being discovered.
Neighbors said they’re shocked that something like this could happen in their own backyards.

“We’ve never had any crime, now it's across the street and it's scary,” Hermson said.

A resident of the west-side neighborhood for decades, Ken Trehey said it’s always been secure.

“We got good neighbors around us,” Trehey said.

Kruschke said he’s never felt unsafe living in the area.

“I think stuff like that is going to happen anywhere,” Kruschke said.

Investigators said they’re trying to determine if the man’s death was suspicious and autopsy results should be available this week.

“He's a peach of a guy, nice family,” Trehey said.

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The investigation continued Sunday into the death of a local man.

The Eau Claire Police Department said an adult male was found dead in the side yard of his Vine Street home Saturday afternoon by his father.

Police blocked off part of the 1300 block of Vine Sunday afternoon so detectives could search the area.

Yellow tape outlined in the home’s side yard where police said the man was discovered.

Neighbor Matt Kruschke said he witnessed authorities covering up the man’s body.

“He was face down on the ground for at least a couple hours,” Kruschke said.

The investigation went beyond just the man’s house.

Detectives were seen searching a house and garage just across the alley from the scene.

Investigators also spent part of the day reaching out to neighbors like Andrea Hermson, who lives across the street from the house.

“I didn't think it would be as serious as it appears to be,” Hermson said.

The Eau Claire woman said she didn’t have much interaction with the man but he would wave whenever he walked down the street to his father’s house.

It’s not yet known how long he was outside before being discovered.
Neighbors said they’re shocked that something like this could happen in their own backyards.

“We’ve never had any crime, now it's across the street and it's scary,” Hermson said.

A resident of the west-side neighborhood for decades, Ken Trehey said it’s always been secure.

“We got good neighbors around us,” Trehey said.

Kruschke said he’s never felt unsafe living in the area.

“I think stuff like that is going to happen anywhere,” Kruschke said.

Investigators said they’re trying to determine if the man’s death was suspicious and autopsy results should be available this week.

“He's a peach of a guy, nice family,” Trehey said.
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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The Eau Claire Police Department Detectives division is still investigating whether or not a death on the 1300 block of Vine Street is suspicious.

Our reporter on scene says police are in the neighborhood now searching two garages next door.

Investigators say the man was discovered by his father Saturday afternoon.

The adult male was found dead and face down in the yard of his home at 1316 Vine Street.

Neighbors says the man lived alone and was quiet but always very nice.

Police say an autospy will be completed Monday.

We'll have more information as it becomes available.

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EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (WEAU) -- The Eau Claire Police Department Detective division is investigating a death on Vine Street in Eau Claire at this hour.

The Eau Claire Police Department says the incident got called in sometime Saturday afternoon, prompting an active investigation on the 1300 block of Vine Street.

Officers say detectives are looking into whether the death was a natural cause or if more people were involved.

Officers say more information will be released when it becomes available.