HILLSBORO, Wis. – A man apparently shot and killed his wife, her 5-year-old daughter and 14-year-old son before killing himself in southwestern Wisconsin, sheriff's officials said Thursday.
Investigators believe Joseph Ganshert, 42, shot his wife and her two children in the head Wednesday at their Hillsboro home, according to the Vernon County Sheriff's Department.
He left the home and went to his sister's farm in Gratiot in Lafayette County, where he apparently shot himself, deputies said.
Killed were Mary Ganshert, 36, Mandi Ganshert, 5, and Troy Klein Jr., 14, according to the sheriff's department.
The Lafayette County Sheriff's Department had been investigating the suicide of Joseph Ganshert and found documents at the farm that led officers to believe Mary Ganshert could be in danger.
They asked Vernon County deputies to check on her, but concerned family members had already contacted authorities, sheriff's officials said.
Officers found the three at the Hillsboro home at about 7:40 p.m. Wednesday, and officers believe they died several hours before they were found.
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