In the small city of Waukon, Iowa, Jami Rachel Kasemeier, a 39-year-old White/Caucasian woman, lived a life that revolved around her family and her passions. Known for her love of planting flowers, collecting gnomes, and decorating her home with pride, Jami also had a flair for dressing up and getting her nails done. Each of her tattoos held a special meaning, and she found joy in riding Harleys and shopping.
Her greatest happiness, however, came from spending time with her children and her beloved dogs. She was a familiar face around town, working as a lead cook at the Good Samaritan Society and as a guest service leader at Kwik Star.
The events that led to her tragic death began to unfold on Sunday, January 21, 2024. A concerned family member contacted the Waukon Police Department to request a welfare check on Jami after a distressing phone call. During the call, the family member heard what sounded like a dispute between Jami and her estranged husband, 41-year-old Brandon Kasemeier, before the line was abruptly disconnected. When Brandon called the family member back using Jami's phone, he reportedly "sounded 'off'" and refused to let them speak with her. Police attempts to locate Jami at her downtown apartment that day were unsuccessful.
The following day, January 22, the grim discovery was made. Jami Kasemeier was found deceased inside her residence. The investigation immediately pointed to Brandon as a suspect. Evidence at the scene included an empty handgun case and several. 22 caliber cartridge casings. It was later revealed at trial that Jami had been shot in the head twice. While the police were processing the scene in Waukon, Brandon Kasemeier was already hundreds of miles away.
A manhunt for Brandon ended on January 23, when he was located and arrested in Loveland, Colorado, approximately 900 miles from Waukon. Inside his vehicle, authorities found a. 22 caliber revolver. He was charged with first-degree murder and extradited back to Iowa to face trial. The investigation into Jami's death also brought to light a history of domestic turmoil. Court records revealed that Brandon had previously been charged with harassing Jami, including a period where he called her approximately 90 times over ten days in violation of a no-contact order and made threats to kill her. Jami had also filed for relief from domestic abuse on multiple occasions.
In May 2025, an Allamakee County jury found Brandon Kasemeier guilty of first-degree murder. His defense team had argued that he was too intoxicated to have formed the intent to murder his estranged wife, a claim the jury ultimately rejected. Following his conviction, Brandon was sentenced to the mandatory term of life in prison without the possibility of parole. The court also heard victim impact statements from Jami's family, including her mother who spoke of the abuse her daughter and grandchildren endured. Though an appeal was filed, the verdict brought a measure of legal closure to the violent end of a life remembered for its warmth and vibrancy.
