Cori Cummings, a 32-year-old resident of Manawa, Wisconsin, tragically lost her life on October 24, 2017, in what was identified as a murder-suicide. The incident occurred in the Town of Royalton, Waupaca County. Cori was killed by her estranged husband, John J. Cummings, aged 51, from Weyauwega. According to the Waupaca County Sheriff's Office, John Cummings shot Cori multiple times while she was driving, before turning the gun on himself.
The couple had been separated, with Cori living with relatives in Manawa and John residing at their home in Weyauwega. On the morning of the incident, deputies responded to a report of a vehicle in a ditch at the intersection of North Shore Road and State Highway 110. The vehicle was still running, and both individuals inside were found unconscious. Upon arrival, deputies discovered that both Cori and John had died from gunshot wounds.
Investigations revealed that the couple had met at a nearby supper club shortly before the incident. Surveillance footage showed John getting into the passenger side of Cori's vehicle, which then crashed shortly after leaving the supper club's parking lot. This footage was crucial in piecing together the events leading up to the murder-suicide.
The investigation also uncovered a history of domestic issues between the couple. In 2014, John Cummings had been referred to the Waupaca County District Attorney's Office on a charge of domestic abuse disorderly conduct. Cori's mother had expressed concerns about her daughter's safety and had advised her to stay away from John.
The tragic event left the small community in shock, as it was an unusual and devastating occurrence for the area. The Waupaca County Sheriff's Office continued to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, but the primary conclusion was that it was a murder-suicide carried out by John Cummings.
