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Police seeking witness in overdose death

BELOIT — Beloit police are searching for a witness who might have additional information about the probable overdose death of a Janesville man.

Joshua J. Benton, 3023 Ruger Ave., Janesville, was found dead Wednesday in an apartment at 1966 Colony Court, Beloit. He was visiting a friend there after leaving a Janesville halfway house without permission, a Beloit Police Department news release said.

Officials believe Benton, 26, died of a heroin overdose, said Capt. Bill Tyler with the Beloit Police Department. An autopsy Thursday supported the belief, but police are waiting for toxicology results to be sure, he said.

Police already have interviewed a couple of people who were in the home around the time of Benton's death, but they believe another witness might have more information, Tyler said.

The witness has not stepped forward, probably because he has outstanding warrants, Tyler said.

Benton had been living at Rock Valley Community Programs, 203 W. Sunny Lane, Janesville, less than a week when he left without permission.

He had been convicted of identity theft in April 2008 and sentenced three years extended supervision. A sentence of three years probation was added when he committed battery while in jail.

In October, Benton violated his probation by leaving the state without approval, said John Dipko with the state Department of Corrections. He was taken to a secure detention facility in Milwaukee, completed programming and was released to the halfway house April 3, Dipko said.

Sometime Tuesday, Benton left the house without permission. Officials discovered his absence when he didn't appear for the 9 p.m. headcount, Dipko said.

Police don't yet know if charges will result from Benton's death, Tyler said.

"These cases can be challenging because a lot of it depends on the situation," he said. "We just have to wait and see what the medical evidence shows and what we find out in the investigation."