Teri Pabst Obituary, Death – David and Teri Pabst, both 64, have been identified as the victims in a double homicide that occurred in the town of Middleton, Wisconsin. David served as the director of the Wisconsin State Patrol’s Bureau of Transportation Safety, while his wife, Teri, had a background in education. Their tragic deaths were confirmed in a press release issued by the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office. Autopsies were conducted on July 9, though the official cause and manner of death are still pending further testing.
Authorities have named the couple’s son, 25-year-old James Pabst, as the suspect in the case. According to a statement from the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, James fled the family’s home in a white 2020 Honda Accord after the killings. He was later tracked down roughly 80 miles away by the Wisconsin State Patrol. Local agencies, including the Viroqua Police Department, the Vernon County Highway Department, and Vernon County Emergency Management, assisted in the search and eventual standoff.
When law enforcement located James, he refused to cooperate with verbal commands. A standoff ensued, and at 5:21 p.m., officers determined he had taken his own life with a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Paramedics were called, but he was pronounced dead at the scene at 6:15 p.m. by Vernon County Coroner Betty Nigh.
Teri Pabst had been an educator with the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District from 2017 to 2022, where she served as a special education teacher, paraeducator, and case manager. In a statement, Kromrey Middle School Principal Dominique Ricks described her as “a kind and compassionate educator” who was always willing to help others.
David Pabst had a nearly 40-year career in law enforcement. He began his service as a trooper and inspector in the State Patrol’s Northwest Region and worked his way up through the ranks to become sergeant, lieutenant, and captain before eventually becoming the bureau director in 2013.
In a tribute posted to Facebook, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and Wisconsin State Patrol expressed their grief over the loss. “David always served with integrity and compassion, driven by a deep commitment to protect others,” the department wrote. “He always had a smile and a kind word to share… David and Teri will be greatly missed.”
While the investigation into James Pabst’s actions is being handled by the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office, the Dane County Sheriff’s Office and its Crime Scene Unit continue to investigate the deaths of David and Teri Pabst. The case remains open as authorities work to understand the full circumstances behind this tragic event.
