After vanishing from a Tomah group home in September, Shane Helmbrecht, a man charged with homicide in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has been found by the Pojoaque Tribal Police Department near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Following his discovery, he was released under the guidance of Eau Claire County authorities.
In 2016, Helmbrecht was taken into custody for the alleged murder of his neighbor in Eau Claire. Due to being deemed unfit to stand trial, he was ordered to reside at a mental health facility. August saw the submission of a new competency examination report, with a hearing now scheduled for January. The victim’s family in the 2016 killing has expressed their hope for justice to be served.
Authorities in Tomah grew increasingly concerned about Helmbrecht’s whereabouts, prompting the issuance of a statewide alert by the Tomah Police Department on Monday. Reports reveal that Helmbrecht had the freedom to come and go as he pleased from the group home, making his disappearance all the more alarming.
The collaboration between the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network and the Pojoaque Tribal Police Department effectively located Helmbrecht in New Mexico, where he had managed to evade authorities for a significant period. The circumstances surrounding his release remain undisclosed.
As this story unfolds, News 18 will continue to provide updates on the latest developments.
FAQ
Q: Who is Shane Helmbrecht?
A: Shane Helmbrecht is an individual charged with homicide in relation to the killing of his neighbor in Eau Claire, Wisconsin, in 2016.
Q: Where was Helmbrecht found?
A: Helmbrecht was located by the Pojoaque Tribal Police Department near Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Q: What happened after his discovery?
A: Upon being found, Helmbrecht was released under the guidance of Eau Claire County authorities.
Q: What did Tomah Police Department do?
A: The Tomah Police Department issued a statewide alert after it was discovered that Helmbrecht had gone missing from the group home in Tomah where he resided.
Q: What is the current status of the case?
A: A new competency examination took place in August, and a hearing is scheduled for January to determine Helmbrecht’s ability to stand trial.