On November 30, 2015, 31-year-old Caucasian female Heather Belieu was found deceased in the basement of a Des Moines, Iowa, home she shared with her fiancé, 36-year-old Bryon Howard, who was also found dead. Both had been shot multiple times in their sleep. Tragically, Belieu was holding her infant child in her arms at the time of her death. Two children, an infant and a toddler, were found unharmed in the home.
Authorities quickly identified a person of interest: 39-year-old Michael
Wanchanic, who lived in the same residence but was not related to the couple. A search for Wanchanic ensued, and a witness spotted his vehicle, leading to a police pursuit. The chase ended when Wanchanic's minivan broke down on a highway, resulting in a standoff with law enforcement that lasted for over four hours. During the standoff, Wanchanic, who was armed with a handgun, threatened to take his own life.
Ultimately, as temperatures dropped, Wanchanic surrendered to authorities. He was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder for the deaths of Heather Belieu and Bryon Howard. According to criminal complaints, Wanchanic had taken the gun used in the killings from his stepmother's room. He was subsequently convicted of the murders and sentenced to two life terms in prison. Family members remembered Belieu as a caring and good-hearted person who was a loving mother to her four children.
