Suspect in Morgan disappearance arrested

WAUPACA – On Thursday afternoon on Feb. 26, the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of Desiree Rose Osman, a 31-year-old Antigo woman, in the disappearance of Jon “Jake” Morgan.
Morgan was 22 years old when he disappeared on Friday, March 6, 2020. He was last seen at a private residence in King near Wally World Bar.
Authorities in Waupaca County have filed several felony charges against a 31-year-old Antigo woman in connection with the 2020 disappearance and suspected overdose death of a local man whose body has never been found.
Osman faces five counts, including first-degree reckless homicide and hiding a corpse, following a multi-year investigation into the death of Jon J. Morgan. The criminal complaint, filed Feb. 26, 2026, alleges Osman provided the fentanyl-laced heroin that caused Morgan’s death on or about March 6, 2020.

The Disappearance
The investigation began on March 9, 2020, when Morgan’s half-sister, Carley M. Sommer, requested a welfare check. Sommer told deputies she had heard rumors that Morgan had overdosed at a residence in the King area and had been transported from the home during the night.
Family members grew concerned after Morgan failed to pick up his paycheck on March 6, a behavior they described as highly unusual. Investigators later confirmed that Morgan’s phone pings, bank activity, and contact with family ceased entirely after 4:13 a.m. that morning.

Evidence of Overdose
According to court documents, Osman’s statements to investigators shifted significantly over the course of at least five interviews. While she initially claimed Morgan simply walked out of the house, digital evidence and later admissions painted a different picture.
Phone records revealed that Osman searched the internet for “overdose” and “drugs” nine times between 8:05 a.m. and 8:27 a.m. on March 6. Minutes later, she reportedly called a friend known to possess Narcan and then contacted a local Walgreens.
In an August 2020 interview, Osman allegedly admitted to purchasing heroin in Milwaukee on March 5 and providing it to Morgan. During a later exchange with investigators, when told she had knowledge of what happened but was scared, Osman reportedly replied “yeah” before stating, “He’s dead”.

Allegations of Hiding a Corpse
Despite exhaustive efforts, Morgan’s remains have not been recovered. However, investigators believe Osman had assistance in moving the body.
The complaint notes that Morgan was approximately 5 feet 11 inches tall and weighed 140 pounds, while Osman is 5 feet 6 inches tall and 185 pounds. Because Osman did not have a vehicle at the time, investigators focused on a vehicle owned by Patrick Connolly.
A cadaver dog alerted to the scent of human remains in Connolly’s vehicle. Furthermore, video surveillance from March 6 showed Connolly’s vehicle traveling on various roads for a 53-minute period—during which time Osman’s cell phone was turned off. This contradicted statements from both Osman and Connolly, who denied leaving the residence that day.

Legal Charges and Penalties
Osman is charged with the following:
• First-Degree Reckless Homicide: A Class C felony carrying a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
• Hiding a Corpse (Party to a Crime): A Class F felony carrying up to 12 years and six months in prison.
• Delivery of Heroin (less than 3 grams): A Class F felony.
• Two Counts of Felony Bail Jumping: Class H felonies carrying up to six years each.
If convicted, Osman would face up to 77 years in prison.

Family statement
The Morgan family provided a statement to the Waupaca County Post: “For six years, our family has lived with questions no one should have to carry. Jake (Jon) was our son, brother, nephew, cousin, and friend to many. He was part of our everyday lives, and his absence has been felt in every holiday, every birthday, every ordinary day in between. With the recent charges, there aren’t big dramatic emotions. It’s more complicated than that. There’s sadness. There’s anger. There’s a quiet sense of validation. And there’s exhaustion. We’ve been carrying this for a long time. We understand the legal process still has to play out, and we respect that. What matters most to us is that Jake is remembered as a person — not just a case. He mattered. He still matters. We appreciate the work that continued behind the scenes and the people who never forgot about him. We thank the Waupaca County Sheriff’s Office, US Marshals Fugitive Task Force, Waushara Co. Sheriff’s Office, WI Division of Criminal Investigation, WI Statewide Intelligence Center, United States Secret Service, FBI, INTERPOL, United States Dept of Homeland Security, United States Customs and Border Protection, New London Police Department, and the other partnering agencies that continued to seek justice for Jake. Right now, we’re focused on our family and taking this one step at a time. We’re asking for privacy as this moves forward.”

Court appearance
On Feb. 27, Osman made her initial court appearance via video from the Waupaca County Jail. Morgan’s family was present and Judge Troy Nielsen presided over the case.
During the proceedings, Osman did not smile. She did not cry. She did not get teary eyed. She did not look upset. Occasionally she furrowed her brow as if vaguely confused.
Morgan’s father, Jon Morgan, spoke to the court and asked for no bail and described her as a a domestic terrorist and a flight risk: if she gets out, she’s not coming back.
Morgan’s mother, Michelle Zartner, also addressed the court and said Osman was living her life without consequences. As she spoke, her voice cracked as she choked up: “We don’t know where he is, and there’s no finalization yet. That’s the hardest part. We can’t even have a funeral, we can’t have closure yet,” she said.
Nielson set a $100,000 bond for Osman. She remains in custody.

Previous arrest
On June 21, 2019, Osman was arrested for first-degree reckless endangerment, possession of THC and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Earlier that evening, Osman and a man snorted a line of heroin and the man overdosed. She moved the man from the passenger seat and abandoned him in front of the Waupaca Hotel in a green 2004 Pontiac Grand Prix.
A person called in this suspicious activity. A police officer arrived and Osman said the man fell asleep while driving home. The officer called for an ambulance.