Cause of death confirmed for Wisconsin couple Brandon and Rachel Dumovich.

The Night Everything Changed

On the night of October 6, 2025, police responded to what they assumed would be a standard roadside assist. But when they approached the vehicle and saw the couple unresponsive, they immediately realized the gravity of the situation. Because the scene was unclear at first, authorities issued a brief “shelter-in-place” alert for the surrounding community. Within a short time, however, they lifted it and confirmed there was no threat to the public.

Inside the vehicle, officers found a firearm. Initial findings from the McHenry County Coroner’s Office showed that both Rachel and Brandon had suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Early on, the possibility of a murder-suicide was mentioned — but investigators warned that nothing would be confirmed until all examinations and reports were completed. Families waited. Friends waited. Entire communities held their breath.

The Autopsy Results — And the Devastating Final Answer

Six weeks after the incident, the Harvard Police Department released an updated statement. The autopsies had been completed. The investigation had reached its conclusion. Authorities determined that Brandon shot Rachel, and then turned the gun on himself. The case was officially classified as a murder-suicide, although investigators noted they were still reviewing all reports to ensure every detail was documented accurately.

For the families, the conclusion was both a clarification and an unimaginable blow. They lost two people they loved deeply — not in an accident, not because of an outside threat, but within the quiet interior of a car in the middle of the night. The grief was enormous, sudden, and cruel.Continue reading…