In the quiet town of Hudson, Wisconsin, the community was shaken by the tragic end to the lives of a well-known and respected couple. Betty Lou Erickson, an 81-year-old Caucasian female, died on March 24, 2009, inside her Hudson home. Her death was the result of a gunshot wound.
Living a life that appeared idyllic to neighbors, Betty and her 83-year-old husband, Claire Erickson, were often seen tending to their garden. They were described as a perfect, loving couple, and both had previously battled and survived cancer. Claire was a prominent local businessman, having founded the Erickson Oil/Freedom Valu Centers chain of gas and convenience stores. His contributions to the community were significant enough that his company was named the large business of the year in 2007 by the local chamber of commerce.
The circumstances of Betty Lou Erickson's death pointed to a grim conclusion. Authorities investigating the scene found both Betty and her husband deceased from gunshots in what was determined to be a murder-suicide. The evidence indicated that Claire Erickson shot his wife before taking his own life. The motive behind this desperate act was not publicly detailed, but it was reported that Betty Lou was living with Alzheimer's disease.
No other suspects were ever considered in connection with Betty Lou Erickson's death, and no arrests were made as the perpetrator was deceased at the scene. The incident left the community in shock and mourning the loss of a couple who had been an integral part of the fabric of Hudson for many years. Their son, David, was the president of the family company at the time of their deaths.
