BAGLEY, WI — The Grant County Sheriff’s Office has released the identity of the man found deceased following an altercation outside Ship Wreck Bar in the River of Lakes section of Bagley, Wisconsin, on June 29, 2025. The deceased, identified as Jeffrey Cornell, 65, of Fennimore, WI, was not named in the initial report due to next of kin notification issues.

On June 29, 2025, at approximately 12:43 a.m., the Grant County Sheriff’s Office, along with Bagley First Responders and West Grant EMS, responded to a call for an individual needing medical attention behind Ship Wreck Bar (132 Packer Dr., Bagley, WI 53801). Deputies found that Cornell had been involved in an altercation outside the bar and was transported to Crossing Rivers Health Center in Prairie du Chien. He was later transferred to Gundersen Medical Center in La Crosse for further treatment.

Following their initial investigation, deputies arrested Jason Britton, 34, of Colona, Illinois, on one count of disorderly conduct. Britton was booked into the Grant County Jail, posted bond, and was released.

On June 30, 2025, after being discharged from the hospital, Cornell was found deceased at his residence in Fennimore, WI. His body was transported to UW-Hospital in Madison for an autopsy to determine the cause and manner of death, a process that may take several weeks, according to the Grant County Sheriff’s Office. The Sheriff’s Office is collaborating with the Grant County Coroner’s Office and UW-Hospital to complete the investigation.

The case, identified as CFS25-16792, remains under investigation. The Grant County Sheriff’s Office is urging anyone with information about the incident to contact them at 608-723-2157. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.