In the quiet town of Wyocena, Wisconsin, concern grew for a 76-year-old White female named Alice Langer when her family could not reach her on October 6, 2022. A subsequent welfare check at her home unveiled a grim discovery. Authorities found Langer deceased inside her residence from a gunshot wound to the head. The initial scene presented a potential suicide, as she was found in the shower with a handgun resting on her lap.
However, as investigators delved deeper, the circumstances surrounding her death grew increasingly suspicious.
Detectives began to uncover evidence that contradicted the theory of a self-inflicted wound. A critical piece of information came from Langer's family, who stated that she was right-handed, a fact inconsistent with the gunshot wound being on the left side of her head. This was further supported by the medical examiner's findings, which indicated that the gunpowder stippling patterns on her body were not typical of suicide cases. The investigation shifted focus, and suspicion fell upon her live-in boyfriend of three decades, Larry Manthe.
The investigation revealed that the relationship between Langer and Manthe was strained. Langer had been planning a new chapter in her life; she was preparing to end her long-term relationship with Manthe and move into a new condo. Manthe, who was 79 at the time, reportedly told investigators that he was "very disgusted" and "devastated" by her decision to leave. The probe, which spanned nearly a year, culminated in the arrest of Larry Manthe on September 15, 2023. Forensic evidence played a key role in the case against him, as his DNA was discovered on the firearm and ammunition. He was subsequently charged with first-degree intentional homicide.
In January 2025, after a week-long trial, a Columbia County jury found the now 80-year-old Larry Manthe guilty of the first-degree intentional homicide of Alice Langer. The prosecution successfully argued that Manthe had shot and killed Langer and then staged the scene to appear as a suicide because she intended to end their relationship. The verdict brought a conclusion to a case that had initially appeared to be a personal tragedy but was ultimately revealed to be a calculated act of violence.
