Latest news with #DavidPabst
Yahoo
13-07-2025
- Yahoo
Victims in Wisconsin double homicide identified as a state patrol director, wife; son named as suspect
MIDDLETON, Wis. (WFRV) – Authorities have released more information about a double homicide in southern Wisconsin that left three people dead, including the suspect. According to the Dane County Sheriff's Office, deputies were called to a residence at 8580 Stonebrook Circle in the Town of Middleton on Tuesday, July 8, after a family member contacted 911. The caller went to check on David and Teri Pabst after the couple failed to arrive at their expected destinations that morning. Driver suspected of OWI crashes into deputy's squad car in Calumet County Local 5 News has confirmed that David Pabst served as director of the Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services. When deputies arrived, they learned that the couple's son, 25-year-old James Pabst, had left the home shortly before their arrival. He was believed to be armed and driving a white Honda Accord. A few hours later, the Wisconsin State Patrol located the vehicle traveling west on U.S. Highway 14 in Vernon County. A traffic stop was attempted near Patterson Road. James initially pulled over without incident but refused to speak with officers or exit the vehicle. After an hour-long standoff, law enforcement officers tactically approached the vehicle and found that James had died by suicide. Based on interviews and evidence from both scenes, investigators believe James fatally shot his parents around 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7, inside the home they all shared. The handgun used in the shooting was legally purchased by James. 'On behalf of everyone at the Dane County Sheriff's Office, our sincerest condolences go out to the Pabst family, their friends, and neighbors,' said Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. 'While this is no longer a criminal investigation, we will do all we can to provide the surviving family members the answers and closure they deserve.' In a tribute on social media, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation praised David Pabst for his nearly 40-year career in public safety. 'David always served with integrity and compassion, driven by a deep commitment to protect others,' the post read. 'He always had a smile and a kind word to share… David and Teri will be greatly missed.' Gov. Evers orders flags to half-staff in honor of fallen police officer The Vernon County Sheriff's Office also offered condolences, stating, 'The senseless loss of a law enforcement colleague is always heartrending… The world is a sadder place today as we reflect on the countless contributions that Director Pabst made to the safety and well-being of law-abiding citizens everywhere.' No additional details were released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
12-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Family ripped apart in double murder-suicide in Wisconsin
A 25-year-old man killed both his parents before fatally shooting himself in a tragedy that has ripped after a Wisconsin family. David and Teresa 'Teri' Pabst, both 64, were found dead in their home in Middleton, a roughly 20-minute drive from Madison, by a family member Tuesday morning. Their son, James, is thought to have fatally shot them with a legally bought handgun at around 9.30pm the previous night, police said. James fled the residence after the double homicide and was tracked down by state troopers Tuesday afternoon about 80 miles outside of Middleton, the Dane County Sheriff's Office said. Police initiated a traffic stop and a standoff ensued. Although James pulled over, he refused to comply with officers' orders to exit the vehicle. After nearly an hour with no response from the suspect, officers approached the vehicle and found James had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The coroner completed autopsies on David and Teri on Wednesday, but their cause and manner of death remains pending as more tests are carried out. The couple's daughters Lora, Danielle and Heidi are 'devastated' by the tragedy and claimed the family was 'deeply impacted' by James' 'debilitating' mental illness. A family member called 911 around 2.20pm Tuesday after carrying out a welfare check at the Pabst residence in the 8500 block of Stonebrook Circle. The relative had grown concerned after David and Teri failed to arrive at their expected destinations earlier that morning. James, who lived in the home with his parents, had fled the property not long before deputies arrived, the sheriff's office said in a press release obtained by He was spotted heading westbound on US Highway 14 in Vernon County roughly two hours after the 911 call came in. State troopers and Vernon County sheriff's deputies carried out a traffic stop but as they tried to speak with James, he rolled up his window and refused to exit the car. He was found inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound one hour later. Paramedics tried to save him, but despite their best efforts James was pronounced dead at the scene. David was the head of the Wisconsin State Patrol's Bureau of Transportation Safety and Teri was a longtime educator who most recently worked at an elementary school in nearby Madison. Their daughters, in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, praised David's 'passion for keeping people safe on the roads' and how Teri 'dedicated her heart and soul to the children she worked with'. David was 'proud to come from a long line of public servants in the state of Wisconsin' and always showed up for others, the sisters recalled. 'Our mom thrived when she could make a difference in the life of a child,' the trio's statement added. 'Please know that if you ever worked with her or had a child who was lucky enough to be taught by her, that our family heard daily about how proud she was of you.' But the sisters also took a moment to reflect on their brother's alleged poor mental health, reminding others that many families are 'deeply impacted by mental illness'. 'We are devastated to have lost our brother James to his debilitating illness. For those of you who knew him, please remember him for who he was before,' they said. The sister further urged anyone who is struggling or has a loved one in crisis to 'please seek help' and 'don't give up'. 'Find someone to reach out to and grasp onto a thread of hope. Keep living because your life is precious,' they concluded. The couple were 'loving parents' to five children and the 'proud grandparents' to seven youngsters. Wisconsin State Highway Patrol, in wake of the tragedy, issued a statement on social media issuing their 'deepest condolences go out to the Pabst family, friends, and all who served alongside him'. 'It is with profound sadness to share the sudden passing of Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services Director David Pabst and his wife. A graduate of the 35th recruit class in 1986, David dedicated nearly 40 years rising through the ranks from trooper to director,' the statement said. 'In honor of his service, mourning bands will be worn through interment.' Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett also issued his thoughts to the grieving family, saying: 'On behalf of everyone at the Dane County Sheriff's Office, our sincerest condolences go out to the Pabst family, their friends, and neighbor. 'While this is no longer a criminal investigation, we will do all we can to provide the surviving family members the answers and closure they deserve.'
Daily Mail
11-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Horror as loving couple are brutally executed by their son leaving family ripped apart
A family has been ripped apart after a couple were executed by their adult son in the home they all lived in together. David and Teresa 'Teri' Pabst, both 64, were found dead in their home in Middleton, a roughly 20 minute drive from Madison, by a family member Tuesday morning. Their son James Pabst, 25, is believed to have shot them with a legally purchased handgun around 9.30pm the night before, the Dane County Sheriff's Office said. James fled the residence after the double homicide and was tracked down by state troopers Tuesday afternoon about 80 miles outside of Middleton. Police initiated a traffic stop and a standoff ensued. Although James pulled over, he refused to comply with officers' orders to exit the vehicle. After nearly an hour with no response from the suspect, officers approached the vehicle and found James had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The coroner completed autopsies on David and Teri on Wednesday, but their cause and manner of death remains pending as more tests are carried out. The couple's daughters Lora, Danielle and Heidi are 'devastated' by the tragedy and claimed the family was 'deeply impacted' by James' 'debilitating' mental illness. A family member called 911 around 2.20pm Tuesday after carrying out a welfare check at the Pabst residence in the 8500 block of Stonebrook Circle. The relative had grown concerned after David and Teri failed to arrive at their expected destinations earlier that morning. James, who lived in the home with his parents, had fled the property not long before deputies arrived, the sheriff's office said in a press release obtained by Daily Mail. He was spotted heading westbound on US Highway 14 in Vernon County roughly two hours after the 911 call came in. State troopers and Vernon County sheriff's deputies carried out a traffic stop but as they tried to speak with James, he rolled up his window and refused to exit the car. He was found inside the vehicle with a gunshot wound one hour later. Paramedics tried to save him, but despite their best efforts James was pronounced dead at the scene. David was the head of the Wisconsin State Patrol's Bureau of Transportation Safety and Teri was a longtime educator who most recently worked at an elementary school in nearby Madison. Their daughters, in a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, praised David's 'passion for keeping people safe on the roads' and how Teri 'dedicated her heart and soul to the children she worked with'. David was 'proud to come from a long line of public servants in the state of Wisconsin' and always showed up for others, the sisters recalled. 'Our mom thrived when she could make a difference in the life of a child,' the trio's statement added. 'Please know that if you ever worked with her or had a child who was lucky enough to be taught by her, that our family heard daily about how proud she was of you.' But the sisters also took a moment to reflect on their brother's alleged poor mental health, reminding others that many families are 'deeply impacted by mental illness'. 'We are devastated to have lost our brother James to his debilitating illness. For those of you who knew him, please remember him for who he was before,' they said. The sister further urged anyone who is struggling or has a loved one in crisis to 'please seek help' and 'don't give up'. 'Find someone to reach out to and grasp onto a thread of hope. Keep living because your life is precious,' they concluded. The couple were 'loving parents' to five children and the 'proud grandparents' to seven youngsters. Wisconsin State Highway Patrol, in wake of the tragedy, issued a statement on social media issuing their 'deepest condolences go out to the Pabst family, friends, and all who served alongside him'. 'It is with profound sadness to share the sudden passing of Wisconsin State Patrol Bureau of Transportation Safety and Technical Services Director David Pabst and his wife. A graduate of the 35th recruit class in 1986, David dedicated nearly 40 years rising through the ranks from trooper to director,' the statement said. 'In honor of his service, mourning bands will be worn through interment.' Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett also issued his thoughts to the grieving family, saying: 'On behalf of everyone at the Dane County Sheriff's Office, our sincerest condolences go out to the Pabst family, their friends, and neighbor. 'While this is no longer a criminal investigation, we will do all we can to provide the surviving family members the answers and closure they deserve.'
