Twitter.com e-edition subscribe online Chippewa.com

Advertisement
WXPort
Click here to view Wisconsin Weather Radar

Updated Oct 13, 2008 - 11:39:44 CDT

Web Search
powered by YAHOO! SEARCH

Herald Archives
adv search

News

Who Makes Your Day?

Calling College Graduates!


Bloomer man commits suicide in prison



17 comment(s)


By The Chippewa Herald
Monday, October 13, 2008 11:39 AM CDT

A Bloomer man recently sentenced to 18 years in prison for charges related to the kidnapping of his stepfather has died.

Andrew Ziesmer, 20, hanged himself at the Dodge Correctional Institution on Friday. the Fond du Lac Reporter reported on its website Sunday. Ziesmer had been transferred to the prison from the Chippewa County Jail on Sept. 25, just days after being sentenced in Chippewa County Court.

Last May, Ziesmer forced his stepfather at knifepoint to drive him to the Twin Cities area. At the time Ziesmer was a walk-away from the Chippewa County Jail, failing to return after Huber release.

Ziesmer pleaded guilty earlier this year to kidnapping and escape, plus a motor vehicle theft charge from a January incident. A number of other charges were dismissed and read in for sentencing.

The Reporter, citing a Department of Corrections spokesman, stated that prison staff found Ziesmer in his cell around 4:30 p.m. He had used a sheet tied to a vent. Life-saving measures were attempted and Ziesmer was transported to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.


PLEASE NOTE:

Comments on stories that are updated may disappear with each update. The comments above are from readers. In no way do they represent the views of the Chippewa Herald.

COMMENTS:

Friend wrote on Nov 2, 2008 12:25 PM:

" On Thursday, October 16th, 2008 it was very difficult for me to observe you laying in your casket my friend but I thought about the verse Psalms 107:14 and it says he brought them out of the darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains. I cannot imagine what your last few hours here on earth felt like Andrew but I hope now that its all over your life is better than anyone could envision and that you are watching down on everyone who loved you. There isnt a day that goes by where the thought of you doesnt cross my mind. I miss you a ton!! Now Im not going to say goodbye but instead I will see you later when I get up there ~ "

Report Abuse

Packer wrote on Oct 19, 2008 1:41 PM:

" Believe, you need to seek help. Listen to what you are saying. Andrew had to use force? You're saying that if your family isn't there for you, you have to use force against them? Hope your family was "there" for you growing up. I think 18 years wasn't enough for pointing a loaded gun at someone's head, taking them hostage and threatening to blow their head off if he doesn't drive him across state lines. You ask "did he harm anyone?" Why yes, he did. You have someone put a gun to your head and threaten to kill you if you don't do what you're told and see if you are harmed in any way. His step dad is the one who has to live with that nightmare the rest of his life. What was Andrew going to do to the mother if she would have been the one home like he planned on? Whatever it was, I'm sure it would have only been worth 5 years in prison because it's her fault she wasn't there for him growing up. "

Report Abuse

believe31 wrote on Oct 18, 2008 4:45 PM:

" Well "Packer", maybe if that family member had been more there for Andrew, he wouldn't have used the gun. Did Andrew harm anyone? No. So how about five years. That family was suppose to be there for him, but since Andrew had to use force, looks to me as if they weren't. If you can't cound on your family, who can you count on?
The max with no parol for a young man that needed help, was not the solution.
So, you think 18 years is fair for making your step dad drive you to your dads? I'm not blaming the system, it's the family. "

Report Abuse

Packer wrote on Oct 17, 2008 2:02 PM:

" I can't believe "Believe."
He was treated unfairly for being sentenced to 18 years for kidnapping someone with a gun and hauling him across state lines? Should the punishment be less if you are kind enough to take a family member hostage rather than a total stranger? What should he have received as a sentence? Would you be sympathetic to a total stranger who broke into your house and took your family member hostage? I feel bad it ended up this way but I don't think blaming "the system" is the correct respone either. "

Report Abuse

Believe31 wrote on Oct 16, 2008 7:06 PM:

" Andrew, may you rest in peace and hopefully enjoy Heaven more then you life recently on earth. You affected alot of lives here on earth, and most of them were treated with love and respect by you, including me - so thank you for that. That was proven today, when it was a sad day at your funeral for all the people that will miss you and have lost you for now.
I am saddened at the fact you didn't seem to get all the support you must have needed in life, or treated unfairly at the hands of who ever was involved with you being sentenced for 18 years for the incident with your own family. Maybe we should have spent more TAX dollars on you! "

Report Abuse

TARAJANE22 wrote on Oct 16, 2008 2:25 PM:

" today was a very sad day at the service.. but it was a wonderfull service.. andrew had so many wonderfull goals.. he wanted to become a pastor and he wanted to follow the footprint of god.. he was so strong and smart.. just brought up the wrong way!! andrew you are loved and missed.. andrew when i saw you in the casket today i broke down.. completely lost it.. it wasnt the andrew i knew any longer.. you were a whole new person.. that now has alot more oppertunties.. new goals.. and whole new world to live in.. i hope you make the most of it.. R.I.P. ANDREW JOSEPH GERALD ZIESMER!!!!! "

Report Abuse

mamarose wrote on Oct 16, 2008 1:29 PM:

" It is a very sad day for anyone who truly knew Andrew(joemama).He was warm funny, kind and smart. He was also lost, lonely , alone and scared. He had alot to offer this world ,he just got on the wrong path and there was no one there to guide him. It all starts at home.I knew him for almost 7 years. we will miss him "

Report Abuse

sumchic wrote on Oct 15, 2008 4:04 PM:

" The funeral is 11am at Kingswood Church in Blaine. J. Davis, you are a creep! Some of the worst drug addicts have turned their lives around. And to say that was disgusting. Hope you can turn your life around! "

Report Abuse

Maura wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:43 PM:

" tarajane22...When is the funeral?
There are many friends from Bloomer that wish to attend the funeral but i can't find anything int he local newspapers for obits. Someone please let me know. RIP Joe (his friends called him Joe or 22) You will be missed! "

Report Abuse

tarajane22 wrote on Oct 15, 2008 1:15 PM:

" RIP andrew.. you were a great friend until you got into drugs!! i hope your okay and safe up there in heaven.. im going to your funeral tomorrow.. raquel is gonna be there too.. you didnt have to do that.. but i guess it was your only way out!! i love you andrew!!!!!! "

Report Abuse

JAYROE wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:36 AM:

" Davis having no compassion for the mentally unstable could be a sign of instability. perhaps the world would be better off without him? he could take his tax dollars to, oh I don't know, cuba "

Report Abuse

J. Davis wrote on Oct 15, 2008 10:03 AM:

" You are correct, the step-father did have a family, he and they are in my prayers. This guy was mentally unstable and the world isa better place! "

Report Abuse

badgerbacker wrote on Oct 15, 2008 9:00 AM:

" davis you are one sick puppy, all about your savings. this person did have a family. They deserve our prayers "

Report Abuse

J. Davis wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:52 PM:

" I was simply stating that this state can not afford to house all of these inmates, if there is one less to feed then it is a savings for me, the taxpayer. "

Report Abuse

J. Davis wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:44 PM:

" I guess my comments are not welcome here?? "

Report Abuse

messed up wrote on Oct 14, 2008 8:02 AM:

" sad sad story "

Report Abuse

blondie75 wrote on Oct 14, 2008 7:40 AM:

" Why weren't the jailers watching this young man more closely? He was a good kid growing up, but now you can see what drugs do to a person, how they screw up your mind and make you do stupid things. "

Report Abuse

LOGIN / REGISTER:

*Member ID:
*Password:
  Forgot Your Password?
 

Do not use usernames or passwords from your financial accounts!

Note: Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are required!

I agree to the terms and conditions

*Create a Member ID:
*Choose a password:
*Re-enter password:
*E-mail Address:
*Year of Birth:
 

(children under 13 cannot register)

*First Name:
*Last Name:
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MORE News


THIS WEEK'S TOP STORIES


MOST COMMENTED STORIES




Advertisements




Letter to the Editor | Comment about our Website

Copyright © 2009 Chippewa Valley Newspapers. All Rights Reserved.
All Chippewa Valley Newspapers pages are designed for screen resolutions set at 1024x768 or higher.
Click for our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use applicable to this site.