Kelsie Martin,Hallie Helms Obituary, Death; – Two students have tragically lost their lives in an apparent murder-suicide incident at a university residence hall in Wisconsin, as reported.
On the afternoon of Monday, May 19, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Police Department responded to a disturbance call at Wilgus Hall, a student residence facility, as confirmed by a statement from the university obtained by PEOPLE. Upon their arrival, law enforcement officers discovered two individuals with gunshot wounds. The university identified one of the victims as Kelsie Martin, 22, who was subsequently transported to Southwest Health and then airlifted to UW Hospital, where she was pronounced deceased.
Martin served as the Assistant Resident Director of Wilgus Hall and was pursuing a degree in psychology from Beloit, Wisconsin. Preliminary autopsy results indicated that Martin died from a gunshot wound. The other individual was identified as Hallie Helms, 22, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
Preliminary autopsy findings revealed that Helms died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound; she was a resident of Wilgus Hall and an elementary education major from Baraboo, Wisconsin. According to reports from WMTV, Fox 11 News, and Wisconsin Public Radio (WPR), the circumstances surrounding the deaths are being investigated as a murder-suicide. Authorities and school officials described the shooting as a targeted and isolated event, as reported by ABC News.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(736x365:738x367):format(webp)/university-of-wisconsin-platteville-shooting-052125-2-0f762ebca0d64dcf8fcdd8ed5d93a22a.jpg "Kelsie Martin,Hallie Helms Obituary, Death; 2 University Students Dead in Suspected Murder-Suicide at Residence Hall in Wisconsin: Reports")
The university stated that no other individuals are believed to have been involved in the incident, and the investigation is ongoing. Additionally, final exams for the week have been canceled, and counseling services are being offered to those affected. Notably, both women had graduated just two days prior, on Saturday, May 17.
The university said in a Facebook message on Tuesday, “Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness.” “We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are. We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong,” they added.
The UW-Platteville Police Department didn’t immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information. If you or someone you know is considering suicide, please contact the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, text “STRENGTH” to the Crisis Text Line at 741741 or go to 988lifeline.org.
