Dead Pair In Midst Of "Divorce Situation"

"EATON, WI — Two people were shot dead late Saturday in what authorities say was a murder/suicide.

"The victims were in the midst of a `divorce situation,` Brown County Sheriff John Gossage said Sunday morning. Their names had not been released as of 1 p.m.

"There were witnesses to the first shooting, Gossage said. The witnesses heard the shot that killed the second person.

"The incident occurred at a house off County T between Wisconsin 29 and County JJ in the town of Eaton, east of Green Bay. Deputies had responded to the scene with a SWAT vehicle.

"Authorities confirmed the deaths shortly before 11 p.m. Saturday, but apparently had been on the scene for nearly two hours beforehand. They located a long gun near one of the victims, according to radio transmissions.

"Troopers closed the road to traffic while sheriff's officials investigated at the scene."

Source: greenbaygazette.com...

Bodies Found In Cemetery

"KENOSHA, WI — Police have identified the elderly couple found dead in a car in a local cemetery Saturday, confirming it was a murder-suicide.

"Ronald and Nancy Meyers of Kenosha were found found Saturday morning at St. George Cemetery, 2909 Sheridan Road.

"Kenosha Police Chief John Morrissey said Sunday that the couple left “several notes and instructions” about the planned murder-suicide pact.

"`It’s one of those tragedies where one individual was sick, and the other said they couldn’t live without them,` he said. `They made a pact, if you will.`

"Ronald, 80, and Nancy, 78, each died of a single gunshot wound to the head.

"Morrissey said notes were found in both the car and the couple’s Pershing Boulevard home.

"`They had planned this out,` he said.

"While the investigation into the deaths isn’t officially closed, Morrissey said it’s just a matter of paperwork and formalities at this point.

"`It will stay open until the final autopsy,` he said. `But there is nothing we’re looking for. It was very well laid out for us. There’s no reason whatsoever to believe otherwise.`

"A cemetery maintenance worker discovered the bodies shortly after 7 a.m. Saturday."

From kenoshanews.com...

Elderly Couple Had No Domestic Issues

"SOLDIER'S GROVE, WI — A sheriff's department is investigating an apparent murder/suicide.

"The Crawford County Department responded to a report of an unresponsive man laying in his driveway on County Road X in the Town of Clayton Monday afternoon.

"Deputies found a 70-year-old man dead of a gunshot wound when they got there. They searched the house, and found the man's 68-year-old wife also dead of a gunshot wound.

"Sheriff Dale McCullick says it appears the man shot and killed his wife inside the home, and then went outside and took his own life. He says investigators are trying to find out why it happened.

"No names have been released. Autopsies are being performed on Tuesday. Sheriff McCullick says the last time the department responded to the home was in 2008, and that his department has never responded to a domestic incident there."

From WEAU.com...

Cop Arrives In 30 Seconds To Find Dead Men

"BRANDON, WI — The Fond du Lac County Sheriff's Department is investigating a shooting in Brandon Wednesday that left two men dead.

"According to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department, Bradley A. Thayer, 55, Ripon, was shot and killed and Ronald W. Kolosky, 56, Ripon, died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"According to Brandon/Fairwater Police Chief Tom Dornbrook, when the call came in at 5:12 p.m., he was two blocks away and arrived on the scene in 30 seconds.

"`The witness, a woman, was outside. When I walked inside it was just as she described it. I immediately secured the scene,` Dornbrook said.

"Dornbrook said because it was a major crime scene he in turned the case over to the Fond du Lac County Sheriff’s Department.

"The sheriff’s department said there is no threat to the public.

"The residence where the shooting took place is a mobile home with an attached garage and sun room. It is across the street from Brandon Elementary School on Bowen Street.

"The woman who reported the shooting rents the home and was acquaintances with both men, Dornbroo said."

From wiscnews.com...

Couple Had History Of Domestic Violence

"GREEN BAY, WI — Green Bay police say the two bodies they found Monday on the city’s east side were the result of a murder/suicide.

"Authorities found 52-year-old Jeffrey Fish and 47-year-old Linda Dickenson dead in their Bader Street Apartment at 11 a.m.

"Police say Fish shot Dickenson before taking his own life.

"Authorities say the two had been in a relationship for ten years.

"Since 2007, police say they were called to the couple’s home several times for domestic incidents, often involving alcohol.

"They say the couple was drinking at a wedding Friday night.

"Fish was supposed to go fishing with family Saturday morning, but he never showed up.

"Authorities checked on the couple after Dickenson didn’t show up to work Monday.

"`We interviewed several people who knew Jeff and Linda and it appears she’s been the victim of domestic violence in the past, which included an incident where she received a black eye and an incident where he allegedly pointed a firearm at her in the past,` said Captain Todd Thomas, Green Bay Police Department.

"Green Bay police say of the city’s last 11 homicides, 5 were related to domestic violence."

From fox11online.com...

Mom And Son, 9, Found Dead During Welfare Check

"GREEN BAY, WI — Brown County's Medical Examiner says the deaths of a mother and son earlier this week has been ruled a murder/suicide.

"In a statement from the Green Bay Police Department, Medical Examiner Al Klimek released preliminary autopsy results on 9-year-old Damien Veraghen and 33-year-old April Veraghen.

"Damian Veraghen died as the result of manual suffocation. It is suspected that he was medicated prior to the suffocation, but toxicology results are still pending.

"April Veraghen died as the result on a combination of prescription medication toxicity and hypoxia due to suffocation. That is considered a self-inflicted act.

"Police officers responded to a welfare check at an apartment on 507 S. Fisk Street, on the city's west side Tuesday around 9:30 a.m. When they arrived, cops found both April Veraghen and her son dead."

From wtaq.com...

Elderly Couple Found Dead

"PRESQUE ISLE, WI — On Saturday, Nov. 23, at 8:24 p.m., the Dane County Sheriff’s Office transferred a 911 call to the Vilas County Sheriff’s Department reporting a possible domestic issue with the caller’s grandparents that reside in Presque Isle.

"The grandson received a call from his grandfather requesting to send help because he would be deceased.

"Deputies responded to the Presque Isle residence where they found 78-year-old Richard Thruman and 75-year-old Sandra Thruman both dead inside the residence.

"Vilas County officials said there is no threat to the community and that they are awaiting results of autopsies.

"The Vilas County Coroner’s Office and Vilas County Sheriff’s Office are conducting the investigation into the incident."

Source: The Lakeland Times...

Two Dead After Gunfire In Law Office

"OREGON, WI — A Madison couple are dead following what appears to be a murder/suicide Thursday afternoon in the town of Oregon.

"A 68-year-old man shot and killed his 63-year-old girlfriend, then killed himself, inside a law firm that also is a home, according to Dane County Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Elise Schaffer.

"Deputies were called to the home office in the 1500 block of Storytown Road just before 3:30 p.m. and were still on the scene of the shooting at 5:30 p.m., Sheriff Dave Mahoney said.

"`A client and an associate were at the residence, male and female, for legal matters, and during the course of the meeting, the male pulled a firearm and shot the female, and then shot himself,` Mahoney said.

"Mahoney said he did not know how many shots were fired.

"Both died from their injuries, he said. `A homicidal gunshot wound, and what appears to be a suicide.`

"A Dane County medical examiner pronounced the couple dead at the scene, and autopsies will be performed Friday, Schaffer said."

Read more at the Wisconsin State Journal...

Man, Woman, And Dog Found Dead In Home

"BRISTOL, WI — Dane County Sheriff’s Department has identified the couple found dead in a town of Bristol home Tuesday afternoon.

"They have been identified as Kevin S. Herskind, 53, and Julie A. L. Herskind, 52. Authorities have determined that Kevin Herskind fatally shot his wife Julie Herskind and then committed suicide.

"Kevin Herskind also fatally shot a dog belonging to the couple. Another small dog and three cats were removed from the home on 6710 County Highway N by an animal control officer.

"It’s unclear at this point what led up to the violence, but detectives will continue to investigate the incident, according to the sheriff’s department.

"Dane County deputies discovered Herskind and his wife after they were called to the scene when an employer became concerned when an employee did not show up for work as expected."

From hngnews.com...

Two Dead In Nursing Home Incident

"MILWAUKEE, WI — The question remains why a man shot a wheelchair-bound resident at a nursing home facility on Milwaukee’s south side.

"It happened at around 5:00 p.m. Monday at the Cameo Care Campus near South 27th Street and West Ramsey Avenue.

"Police say 56-year-old Allen Silva went in the main door at Cameo Care Campus, signed the guest book, then shot and killed 59-year-old Debbie Tyszko. It appears Silva took his own life with a knife.

"Investigators say this man and woman knew each other, but they will not say anymore about that relationship.

"Tyszko worked at Cameo Care Campus as a receptionist for more than six years, said co-owner Milan Kresovic. Tyszko moved in as a resident patient about four months ago after suffering a stroke.

"Kresovic said Tyszko relied on a wheelchair and had trouble communicating. Tyszko was well-known to staff and patients at the facility.

"The shooter used a small, easy-to-hide pistol, Kresovic said.

"The shooter appeared inside the building on surveillance video that has not been made public. The co-owner said the gunman appeared `calm and methodical` in that video."

From todaystmj4.com...

Police Find Bodies In Apartment

"FRENCH ISLAND, WI — Town of Campbell Police and the La Crosse County Sheriff's Department are investigating what's believed to be a murder/suicide in an apartment building Tuesday morning.

"Authorities were called to 236 Tellin Court Tuesday morning at around 10:45 a.m. Police [said] that neighbors heard a bang around that time. When officers arrived on the scene, they found two adults dead in an apartment in the building.

"Officers and investigators remain on the scene as of this afternoon.

"More details have not been released by either Campbell police or the county. That includes the names of the people found in the apartment. Their names won't be released until family is notified.

"An autopsy is planned for both individuals."

From WXOW.com...

Shooter Kills Himself As Police Close In

"PLEASANT PRAIRIE, WI — A Salem man killed himself in Racine Tuesday night shortly after he reportedly shot the man dating his ex-wife in Pleasant Prairie.

"Michael L. Darracott, 44, of Pleasant Prairie, was shot multiple times in the head and chest at his home Tuesday night by his girlfriend’s ex-husband, Dean L. Knudtson, 42, of Salem, according to Pleasant Prairie Deputy Police Chief Dave Mogensen.

"Police responded to the residence, 9227 Cooper Road, at 8:15 p.m. Tuesday. Pleasant Prairie rescue personnel took Darracott to St. Catherine’s Medical Center, but due to the serious nature of his injuries, he was then flown to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa by Flight for Life, police said.

"Darracott remained critical condition at Froedtert Wednesday, a hospital spokeswoman said.

"Mogensen said Darracott was dating Knudtson’s ex-wife and had been for some time.

"Knudtson was found shortly after the incident at Pritchard Park near Durand Avenue and Ohio Street in Racine. He called 911 advising authorities of his location and what he did.

"Sheriff’s deputies, Racine police and Mount Pleasant police responded to the area near Knudtson’s vehicle. They heard a gun shot and saw a muzzle flash from the interior of the vehicle, reports said.

"As responding officers approached the suspect’s vehicle, Knudtson was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Rescue personnel was called, but Knudtson was pronounced dead at the scene, according to police."

From Kenosha News...

Cops Find Father And Daughter Dead

"MILWAUKEE, WI — A Milwaukee man shot his 6-year-old daughter to death and then committed suicide after fighting with the child's mother Sunday, police said.

"The couple, who have been together about eight years, got into a physical confrontation Sunday morning. The woman left the home, went to work and then stopped at Police District 4 to report the domestic violence after her work shift ended, Lt. Justin Carloni said.

"As soon as the woman reported the incident, officers were sent to the home near N. 51st St. and W. Fairmout Ave., arriving around noon. They found the home locked. When they entered they found the man and his daughter dead, each with one bullet wound.

"The father and daughter, whose names were not released pending notification of relatives, were pronounced dead at the scene.

"Neighbors operating a rummage sale across the street said they heard two gunshots around 11 a.m. Sunday. They said the family had lived at the one-story brown bungalow on N. 51st St. for about a year."

From JSOnline.com...

"All We Heard Was 'Bam Bam Bam'"

"MILWAUKEE, WI — Two are dead in an apparent murder-suicide in a south side Milwaukee neighborhood.

"The shootings took place in a driveway outside a home the couple shared near South 5th Street and West Bottsford Avenue.

"`I assume if there was a fight I would have heard that. I heard nothing. All we heard was, 'Bam, bam, bam,' and that's when I jumped up,` neighbor Anthony Tracy said.

"Tracy was home with his dad when he heard what sounded like gunfire coming from the house behind them.

"`It's scary because it's close to home,` Tracy said.

"Police said just before 9 a.m., 39-year-old Annemarie Bautch returned home from dropping her kids off at school when her live-in boyfriend pulled in behind her in the taxicab he drove for hire, walked to her van's window and shot her in the head.

"Investigators said 41-year-old Daniel Billings then turned the gun on himself.

"`We looked over there immediately because it's just something that came from that way. We could see the windshield wipers, and I said, 'Looks like the windshield is busted out,'` Tracy said.

"[Reports indicate] Billings was a convicted felon and was prohibited from carrying weapons. He was also on probation for a recent domestic violence incident involving his daughter."

From wisn.com...

Shooter Dead, Officer Wounded In Domestic Incident

"BIG FLATS, WI — Authorities now say a domestic abuse case from suburban Milwaukee is what led to the shootings of a man and a sheriff’s officer more than 150 miles away in Adams County.

"West Allis Acting Police Chief Charles Padgett said his officers got a call around 6 p.m. Tuesday that a 52-year-old woman was missing under suspicious circumstances.

"Investigators then tracked her and her 55-year-old husband to the Adams County town of Big Flats. Officers were called to a house there around 7:30 p.m.

"Sheriff Sam Wollin said the man fired several shots at the officers—and he wounded an Adams County deputy before shooting himself. Wollin did not disclose the extent of the injuries, or the names of the two men involved.

"The woman had obtained a restraining order, in which a judge ordered the husband to stay away from her due to recent domestic incidents.

"An investigation continues."

From WHBL...

SWAT Finds Victim Dead, Shooter Unconscious

"PLYMOUTH, WI — Police continue investigating why a man in his 70s shot and killed his neighbor before turning the gun on himself at his rural property southeast of Orfordville on Wednesday morning.

"The victim, a woman in her 50s who lived on the same road, was found dead of a gunshot wound in a shed across the road from the man’s house, Sheriff Robert Spoden said.

"The man was in custody in critical condition Wednesday night at University Hospital in Madison being treated for a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Spoden said.

"Spoden declined to name the man, but he said the shooting occurred on the man’s property. Rock County property records list Daniel and Emma Bellard as the owners of 6707 W. Stuart Road.

"`We are confident this is the only suspect that’s involved in this and we believe this is an isolated incident,` he said.

"The suspect’s wife reported the incident, Spoden said.

"Deputies set up a perimeter after learning there might be multiple victims and a shooter loose in the area, he said. Morning fog limited visibility.

"The SWAT team was deployed, and a systematic search of the property led deputies to find the woman in a shed across the road from the home, Spoden said. When it was clear she did not survive, deputies continued the search for the suspect, he said.

"The suspect was discovered in a shed next to the house, where he was semiconscious, he said.

"The man was taken into custody and flown by helicopter to University Hospital. The man is in custody but authorities had not made a formal arrest as of late Wednesday, he said."

From GazetteXtra.com...

Divorce Court Appearance Cancelled Due To Murder/Suicide

"MADISON, WI — Jennifer Boyce and Bernard Grosso were to have been in court on Friday to officially end their marriage. Instead, their lives ended before they ever got to the courthouse as a result of what Madison police categorized as a domestic-related murder/suicide.

"Police discovered the body of Boyce, 31, Thursday morning at her apartment on Madison's Far East Side. That led police to look at her estranged husband, Grosso, 34, who was found dead Thursday night of an apparent gunshot wound when police searched his home at 3802 Atwood Ave.

"The Dane County Medical Examiner's Office had not officially identified the two victims or determined the causes of death as of Friday afternoon.

"`Certainly, we can speculate that this pending divorce hearing may have played a part in the motive,` Madison police spokesman Joel DeSpain said. `But we'll never know that for sure.`

"Boyce and Grosso, who were married in 2008 in St. Louis, had filed for divorce last March. She moved into her apartment in July.

"DeSpain said the couple had no record of domestic violence.

"Boyce's stepmother, Dixie Boyce of Ballwin, Mo., said there was no indication of physical violence in their relationship. She said Grosso `had hurt her very badly psychologically` before she left him, but `Jennifer said that he wouldn't hurt her.`"

From the State Journal...

Four Dead, Four Wounded After Spa Rampage

"BROOKFIELD, WI — Three women were killed and four wounded in a domestic violence shooting rampage late Sunday morning at the Azana Salon & Spa, across the street from Brookfield Square Mall [map].

"Radcliffe F. Haughton, 45, of Brown Deer, the suspected shooter, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound within the spa.

"Haughton's estranged wife, Zina, had reported Oct. 4 that her tires were slashed while she worked at the spa. Four days later, she obtained a temporary restraining order against him, and he was served with that order on Oct. 11, said Daniel Tushaus, Brookfield Police Chief.

"On Oct. 18, a Milwaukee court issued a four-year restraining order against Haughton.

"It was not known if Haughton's wife was a victim Sunday. Police were still working to identify the three women who were killed, Tushaus said.

"The four wounded women - ages 22, 30, 32 and 40 - were taken to Froedtert Hospital in Wauwatosa. All the women are expected to survive, hospital officials said Sunday evening. The women were not identified."

From jsonline.com...

Public Not In Danger After Convenience Store Shootings

"WAUSAUKEE, WI — Officials say a 51-year-old woman is dead after a man shot her at the Citgo Convenience Store in the Village of Wausaukee Sunday.

"Marinette County Sheriff Jerry Sauve said the alleged 55-year-old gunman then turned the gun on himself.

"Sheriff's officials received a call of a shooting at the store located at 306 Main Street around 2:45 p.m.

"Within one minute deputies were on the scene.

"The suspect was located just outside the store with an apparent gunshot wound to the chest.

"He was taken to Bay Area Medical Center in Marinette.

"His condition is unknown at this time.

"Inside the store, deputies found a 51-year-old female employee behind the counter.

"She was pronounced dead from an apparent gunshot wound.

"Suave said the initial investigation indicates that the man shot the woman inside the store and then shot himself.

"Two other employees were in the store at the time of the shooting. Nobody else was injured as a result of the situation.

"The sheriff said the man and woman had been in a previous relationship, and had possibly lived together at one time.

"Suave said he does not feel there is any further danger to the public."

From WLUK-TV...

FBI: Sikh Temple Shooter Committed Suicide

"OAK CREEK, WI — Wade Michael Page, the gunman who killed six people at a Sikh temple outside Milwaukee on Sunday, committed suicide by shooting himself in the head after he was wounded in the stomach by police gunfire, the FBI disclosed Wednesday.

"Teresa Carlson, special agent in charge of the FBI’s Milwaukee office, told reporters that a police officer shot Page in the stomach, “thereby neutralizing the threat,” in the parking lot outside the Sikh temple after Page had fatally shot six worshipers and wounded three other people, including the first police officer who arrived on the scene.

"`Subsequent to that wound, it appears that Page died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head,` Carlson said in a news conference in Milwaukee. She indicated that the suicide, disclosed for the first time Wednesday, was confirmed by security video footage of the scene. She said of the second police officer’s shot that hit Page in the stomach, `I’ve seen the video, and it was an amazing shot. Thank goodness.`

"Authorities previously said that Page was killed by police after he shot the first responder, fired at two police cars and failed to obey commands to put down his weapon, identified as a 9mm handgun.

"Carlson said the motive behind the temple shootings remains unknown and that authorities are continuing to interview people who knew Page."

From the Washington Post...