On a tragic evening in Sumner, Wisconsin, the lives of James Lemke, a 59-year-old Caucasian male, and his wife, Nedra Lemke, were cut short in a violent confrontation. On June 16, 2020, the couple had gone to Nedra's recently deceased father's home to look after the property. Upon their arrival, they discovered broken windows, prompting a concerned Nedra to call 911 to report a possible burglary, stating that it was "not an emergency" but that she was uneasy about entering the house.
This would be her final communication.
When a Jefferson County sheriff's deputy arrived at the rural property, he discovered the bodies of James and Nedra Lemke in the driveway; they had been shot to death. As the deputy was investigating the scene, he was met with gunfire coming from the residence. The deputy returned fire, and shortly thereafter, black smoke began to pour from the house as it was set ablaze. Investigators believe the fire was intentionally set as a diversion. The incident was quickly determined to be a targeted attack.
The primary suspect in the double homicide is Kevin P. Anderson, Nedra's brother. Authorities believe a dispute over their father's will and inheritance was the motive behind the killings. Anderson's truck was found at the scene, but he was nowhere to be found. In the aftermath of the incident, Anderson was charged with two counts of first-degree intentional homicide for the deaths of his sister and brother-in-law, one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide for shooting at the deputy, and arson.
Despite extensive search efforts by law enforcement, including the use of planes, helicopters, and drones, Kevin Anderson remains a fugitive. He is considered armed and dangerous, and his whereabouts are unknown. The case has gained national attention, having been featured on television programs like "In Pursuit with John Walsh" and "America's Most Wanted" in an effort to generate leads for his capture. The quiet community was left in shock by the brutal deaths of the well-respected couple, who were known for their kindness and involvement in their church and local activities.
