Investigation Shows Murder-Suicide in House Fire

Investigators have determined the deaths of two people found in a burned Winnebago County home back in May – to be a murder-suicide. The Winnebago County Sheriff’s Office says Jeremy Wallenfang shot and killed 27-year old Ashley Mielke before setting fire to the home and shooting himself. 

Evidence had to be sent to the state crime lab to determine how the two died. Investigators say Wallenfang had threatened to kill Mielke and burn the home in the months leading up to the incident. The Sheriff’s Office says the investigation proved difficult “due to the lack of cooperation investigators received from witnesses and the severity of the fire” – which left evidence with significant damage.