Family of man found dead on golf course wants answers
By Kendall Keys; Sam Schmitz
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BROOKFIELD, Wisconsin (WISN) — A family is calling for answers after a man was found dead on a Brookfield golf course.
Brookfield police said first responders found the man hanging from a tree at the Brookfield Hills Golf Course near I-94 and Moorland Rd. early Thursday morning, Nov. 13.
Family identified the man to WISN 12 News as 39-year-old Torrance, or Tory, Medley.
Chief Chris Garcia said while their investigation remains open, evidence points to Medley’s death being a suicide.
Medley’s family said they’re without closure. They’re calling on police to conduct a thorough investigation.
“When I called and they told me what happened, I just was in a state of disbelief,” Shena Medley said. “It just doesn’t seem real.”
Shena Medley, Tory’s older sister, spoke with WISN 12 News from Hawaii about her brother. She said the family grew up in Mukwonago. Tory moved to California for some time before moving back to the Milwaukee area. Shena remembers her brother for his heart.
“He’s very mild-mannered, very sweet, very kind. I’ve never heard him speak ill of anything or anyone. He just had a very innocent spirit. One of his classmates mentioned he was a gentle, gentle soul. And that definitely was Tory,” Shena said.
“Does he have any connection to that golf course that you know about?” WISN 12 News reporter Kendall Keys asked.
“No, not that we know of,” Shena said. “He was living in Milwaukee. He was living down off of Saint Paul. So, he didn’t have a vehicle. And so the question is, how did he get out there? When did he get out there? Why did he go out there?”
Brookfield police said Tory was found with a strap around his neck. The other end was attached to a tree branch.
“None of us understand this. It’s important to know because there are other people who live in that community, if something did actually happen, people need to know how to look out and protect their children, their nieces, their nephews,” Shena said. “It’s not just, you know, a family issue for us. it’s an issue for the entire community. If it was suicide, we’ll accept that. But if it was something else, we’ll accept that, too. We just need to know that all I’s have been dotted, T’s have been crossed, and it’s been fully reviewed and investigated, which is only fair.”
Shena said that while she recognizes her brother had struggles, she doesn’t believe he would have taken his own life.
“If you ask me, honestly, I don’t think he did this, but he had some mental health challenges, so it is a possibility. But, you know, he left messages for family members talking about employment opportunities and this and that. So it didn’t sound like somebody who’s done with their life,” Shena said.
Shena asked anyone with information or possible surveillance video of her brother to come forward.
“I just wanted people to know that he had a name. That he was a really good person, a good man, and he had a family that loved him incredibly,” Shena said.
“Our hearts go out to Mr. Medley’s family and loved ones. We are still actively investigating his death. The investigation still indicates he died by suicide,” Garcia said.
On Nov. 23, the City of Brookfield Police Department said in a release that they met with Medley’s family to provide an update on their investigation.
In their Sunday release, they said there is no indication of foul play in Medley’s death. Other than injuries caused by asphyxiation, there were no other obvious signs of trauma to his body. Police said there was no evidence at the scene suggesting anyone was else was there at the time of his death.
Police said they were aware of Medley experiencing mental health challenges in the days prior to his death.
Police also said they are still working to collect as much surveillance video as possible, including places he frequented, businesses near the golf course and footage from Milwaukee County Transit System buses.
“We understand the public’s desire for answers, and we share that commitment,” Chief Christopher Garcia of the City of Brookfield Police Department said. “However, the spread of inaccurate information does not help the investigation nor the family. We will continue to follow the facts wherever they lead, and we will share additional verified information when available. Our thoughts remain with Mr. Medley’s family during this difficult and painful time.”
If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health, help is available 24/7. Text or call 988 for the National Suicide Prevention Hotline.
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