HOLMEN, Wis. — A Holmen man was strangled and beaten to death in his upstairs bedroom while his girlfriend was asleep on a downstairs sofa, sources close to the investigation said. Reportedly the woman told police they had an argument earlier. A little after 5 a. m. she went upstairs and found her boyfriend, Josh Pigney, unresponsive. The room was in total disrepair, she said. Power to the house was out. The girlfriend ran to a neighbor’s house and called 911. This was Sunday. Pigney, age 37, was cold to the touch when police arrived. There was lots of blood. Furniture was overturned and broken. A bladeless Dyson fan was busted apart. To officers it appeared that Pigney had been had been bludgeoned and strangled.
Victim profile
Joshua Edward Pigney 37, was well known in motorcycle racing circles. A friend said “his heart belonged to the roar of engines and the smell of motor oil.” He had a natural talent for racing, and his need for speed made him a formidable presence on the track, the friend said: “His love for motor sports was not just a hobby; it was a passion that fueled his zest for life. His heart was most full when he was on the track and the impact he had on the racing community.” He had connections in Westby. Said the friend: He was the kind of guy who lived life on the edge but always took the time to appreciate the scenery. He embodied life-long values of love, kindness and a touch of mischief, y-the friend said.
Pigney. Worked for Red Wing based Rockland Flooring, which manufactures mats for truck and trailer interiors.
Earlier: Man murdered in upscale Holmen hime