Police: Wis. Student Killed By Dumbwaiter Suffered Crushing Injuries To Head

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The Fountain City Police Department has released more information in the death of a 21-year-old Wisconsin student who was found dead in a food elevator, detailing more about what happened inside the restaurant prior to and after her death -- and what autopsy results revealed.

The body of Brooke Baures, of Chetek, Wisconsin, was found in a food elevator at WingDam Saloon and Grill in Fountain City on Monday, Dec. 1.

In their final press release on the death, Fountain City police said at this point, "no crime occurred in this tragedy."

According to the investigation, Baures was performing server and bartender duties for a banquet on the second floor of the business before her death.

Based on phone data, at around 7:54 p.m. the cook, who was located in the kitchen, heard the food elevator begin to descend to his access point on the first floor. When the cab landed on the first floor, he expected to see dirty dishes, but immediately recognized that a person was trapped inside. A first floor bartender was coming into the kitchen at the same time, and the first of several 911 calls came from her.

Police said there were 18 people in the second floor dining room next to the buffet area where Baures was performing her work duties. The second floor access to the food elevator is located behind the buffet area. Much of the second floor area is observable, but the elevator access was completely out of sight for everyone.

The food elevator itself can only be sent down to the first floor using the control box next to the second floor access – the reverse is true for the first floor access. There are no doors on the cab specifically, so operators must physically stay clear of the device while it's moving to avoid injury.

Police now believe – based on witnesses' statements – that Baures was the only person who could have pressed the control button on the second floor.

Based on autopsy results, polices said Baures' head was located almost entirely inside the cab of the elevator, canted slightly to her right, as the cab descended. When the cab passed the sill of the second floor access, she then suffered fatal crushing injuries to her brainstem and cerebellum.

No one witnessed the incident or heard any vocalization, police said. Attendees did however hear unusual noises coming from the elevator and moments later the cook was seen rushing toward the second floor access after his discovery on the first floor.

Fountain City police will continue to establish the history of the food elevator and will continue to work on learning the final moment leading up to Baures' fatal injuries.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the elevator was permanently removed at the direction of Wisconsin's Department of Safety and Professional Services.