Remains of a Clark County Woman Found

WAUSAU, Wis. (WXCO) – Discovered in Marathon County on private property near Stratford, the Mosinee man who committed the homicide is behind bars.

Cassandra Ayon, was last seen in Unity, Wisconsin on October 3rd of 2020. Her body was discovered on Saturday November 30th, 2024 in the town of Brighton on private property, near CTH P and Abe Lincoln Road in Marathon County.

NewsChannel 7 asked if the remains were located by a hunter since the discovery coincided Wisconsin’s 9-day gun deer season. The DOJ said it was not a hunter, but a citizen that made the discovery.

“My heart goes out to Cassandra’s family and friends,” said Attorney General Josh Kaul. “Thank you to everyone who has worked to get justice and help provide answers in this appalling case.”

Ayon’s on and off again boyfriend, Jesus Contreras-Perez of Mosinee, was sentenced to life in prison without eligibility for release on September 12th of 2022, in relation to the disappearance of Cassandra Ayon.

“Although we were pleased with the outcome of the trial and felt that justice had been done on behalf of Cassandra Ayon, we never stopped looking for her,” said Clark County District Attorney Melissa Inlow. “We hope that the discovery of her remains lends a sense of closure and finality to her family and everyone who misses and mourns her.”

A jury found Contreras-Perez guilty of first-degree intentional homicide, hiding a corpse, and stalking causing bodily harm after a 5-day trial in June of 2022.

On October 2nd of 2020, surveillance video showed Contreras-Perez hanging around the parking lot at about 5:45 p.m. where Ayon worked at Marathon Cheese in Marathon City. Ayon left work and hours later went to a party in Marshfield. Around 4 a.m. on October 3rd, Ayon dropped a friend off in Unity about 15 miles north of Marshfield. That was the last time anyone confirmed seeing her.

“This case has been on our minds for years,” said Clark County Sheriff Scott Haines. “Our hearts and thoughts go out to the family and friends of Cassandra Ayon.”

The Wisconsin DOJ worked in partnership with the Clark County Sheriff’s Office, the Marathon County Sheriff’s Office, the Clark County District Attorney’s Office, Marathon County Medical Examiner’s Office, DNR, the Wisconsin State Crime Laboratory, and Wisconsin State Patrol on recovery of the remains.