In October 2005, St. Croix County Judge Eric Lundell[2] found probable cause that Erickson killed funeral home director Daniel O'Connell and mortuary science intern James Ellison almost three years earlier, shortly before O'Connell was to confront Erickson with allegations that he had sexually abused a teenage boy.
[3] Prior to the suicide, police had questioned Erickson "twice in five weeks" about the two killings, had searched his rectory and had seized his computer and other items.
His parents moved when he was in his early teens [clarification needed] and he went to live with a priest but "spent summers with his family at a campground in Eagle River, Wisconsin".
An example of his concern for the temptations of the flesh was expressed in a "thought for the day" e-mail to his supporters at St. Patrick's church: "Even Sunday Mass is not safe from the immodest dress of some devils.
"[8]Erickson's strict, conservative views led to tensions with more liberal Catholics at St. Patrick's church and the resignation of the principal at the school, but the priest also had his share of supporters.
"[5][7] According to Raphael Michael Fliss—bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Superior at the time—the diocese was informed of allegations of inappropriate sexual behavior by Erickson in 1992,[5] but an investigation by Catholic authorities of Erickson concluded that he “does not appear to be predatory or exploitative in his overall orientation, and he does not seem to be a high risk for acting in a sexually aggressive or manipulative manner in the future”.
During the post-suicide hearing, a teenage boy from nearby Somerset, Wisconsin spoke of being molested by Erickson.From 2000 to 2002, the victim testified, he spent many weekends at the rectory with Erickson, watching horror movies and playing drinking games.
It contained “more than forty images of gay and prepubescent male pornography in a variety of sex acts and poses,”[7] some "involving bondage".
[3] According to Rubenstein, a county medical examiner discovered the bodies in the early afternoon, while he was visiting the funeral home to pick up a death certificate.
[7]Despite a reward of $100,000 and police interviews of 1,800 people (including Ryan Erickson),[7] for almost two years the case remained unsolved.
[11][7] On August 10, 2004, Erickson was transferred to St. Mary's of the Seven Dolors church, in Hurley, Wisconsin 200 miles northeast of Hudson.
[12][7]While Erickson claimed he knew this information from the news, these were details that had not been publicly disclosed by police so that they could be used to both "test false confessions and to determine who knows things only the perpetrator would know".
It contained 'more than forty images of gay and prepubescent male pornography in a variety of sex acts and poses'.”[7] On December 19 Erickson hanged himself in the hallway of St. Mary's.
Judge Lundell stated “I find that and conclude that Ryan Erickson probably committed these crimes in question.
Eric Johnson explained that even though "the evidence was not cross-examined and was not heard by a jury", the judge's ruling "can be construed as a finding of guilt.
"[6] In notes left to family and friends, Erickson denied that he had killed "anyone", but also wrote, "my ego, my pride, my lust, my envy have always stopped me from being the best person I could be.