James Pabst Obituary, Death News – The Wisconsin State Patrol is mourning the loss of one of its top officials and his wife after authorities confirmed they were the victims of a double homicide in their Middleton home.
On Tuesday, July 8, at around 2:21 p.m., deputies from the Dane County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home on Stonebrook Circle after a concerned family member called 911. The caller had gone to check on David and Teresa Pabst after the couple failed to show up for their scheduled plans earlier that day. Upon entering the residence, the relative discovered both David and Teri deceased.
David Pabst served as the bureau director for the Wisconsin State Patrol. Authorities quickly identified their 25-year-old son, James Pabst, as a person of interest. According to investigators, he had left the home shortly before deputies arrived and was believed to be armed. He was reportedly driving a white Honda Accord.
Later that afternoon, around 4:19 p.m., law enforcement officers located James on U.S. Highway 14 near Viroqua in Vernon County. When troopers and deputies approached his vehicle to speak with him, he rolled up the window and refused to exit the car. After about an hour of failed attempts to communicate, officers cautiously approached and found that James had taken his own life.
Investigators believe the double homicide occurred sometime after 9:30 p.m. on Monday, July 7. They confirmed that James used a handgun, which had been legally purchased, to carry out the shootings.
In a statement released by the Dane County Executive’s office, officials expressed condolences to the Pabst family and the broader community shaken by the tragedy.
Sheriff Kalvin Barrett offered his sympathy, stating, “On behalf of everyone at the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, our sincerest condolences go out to the Pabst family, their friends, and neighbors. 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.”
The case has deeply affected both law enforcement colleagues and the Middleton community, where David and Teresa were well known. The investigation into the timeline and circumstances of the shooting is ongoing, but authorities have confirmed there are no further threats to the public.
