A Wisconsin Rapids man already serving prison time now faces more serious charges.  Joseph B. Reinwand was charged Friday with the shooting death of 35-year-old Dale R. Meister in his Wisconsin Rapids home on or about February 28th of 2008.

Wisconsin Rapids Police Chief Kurt Heuer announced the breakthrough in the investigation Friday morning. He said several agencies and detectives that are both active and retired contributed to solving the case. The 53 year-old Reinwand is currently in the state prison at Stanley for a forgery conviction.

Dale Meister was found seated on his couch with multiple gunshot wounds to his head and chest. The criminal complaint shows the weapon was likely a .22 caliber revolver.

The victim’s brother, James Meister made a brief statement surrounded by family members. They believed all along that Reinwand was their brother’s killer. “It’s been a long time, and a long five years waiting for this day, especially when we knew who took our brother’s life from the beginning. We want to say thanks to the police department and everybody else who stood by us and supported us through this ordeal.”

Larry Lee, WSAU

Share the News