MANITOWOC – Authorities do not suspect foul play in the deaths of two elderly siblings found Feb. 3 in their Two Creeks home.
The siblings were identified as Kenneth Krall, 82, and Sandra Krall, 74. They were found lying a few feet apart in their living room.
Welfare check followed power outage and lack of contact
Manitowoc County sheriff’s deputies were called to conduct a welfare check after a prolonged loss of electrical power at the home and a lack of contact with the siblings.
When they were discovered, Manitowoc County Coroner Curtis Green said Kenneth had been dead for more than six months, while Sandra had been dead for several days. Utilities to the home had been shut off since December 2025.
Although Wisconsin is typically under a utilities disconnection moratorium Nov. 1 through April 15, that only applies to residential accounts.
Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jason Orth told the Herald Times Reporter that a statement Wisconsin Public Services made to Fox 11 News saying the Krall’s property was listed as a commercial account matched their own records of the investigation.
“The electric service that was disconnected was registered as an agricultural/commercial account only, and was in the name of a business entity,” a WPS spokesman said to Fox 11 News. “The customer did not register this as a residential account or an account with living quarters.
“We followed all disconnection procedures and requirements that apply to agricultural/commercial accounts,” the WPS spokesman said to Fox 11 News. “As we do with all accounts at risk of disconnection, we made multiple attempts to contact the customer of record about the status of the account and provide options to avoid disconnection.”
The average temperature in December was 23.2 degrees Fahrenheit, and in January it was 17.6 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
The coroner’s report said Sandra died of hypertensive cardiovascular disease, with other heart issues listed as contributing factors.
Because of extensive decomposition and no significant trauma, Kenneth’s cause of death remains undetermined despite a full forensic examination, expanded toxicology testing and X-rays.
Sheriff’s Office urges checks on elderly residents
In a February news release, the Manitowoc County Sheriff’s Office said it “encourages community members to regularly check on elderly family members, neighbors and loved ones, especially during winter months or periods of extreme weather. Prompt welfare checks and staying connected can help ensure the safety and well-being of those who may be isolated.”
Contact Alisa M. Schafer at aschafer@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter: Two Creeks deaths raise questions over utility account
Reporting by Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter / Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Alisa M. Schafer, Manitowoc Herald Times Reporter | USA TODAY Network
