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The Wisconsin newlyweds found dead on the side of an Illinois road days before their first anniversary died from a murder-suicide, according to officials.
Brandon Dumovich fatally shot his wife, Rachel, before he turned the gun on himself inside their car in northern Illinois on Oct. 6, the Harvard Police Department announced Thursday.
“Our thoughts remain with the families and all those affected by this tragedy,” police said.
Two weeks after the tragedy, the McHenry County Coroner’s Office had ruled the couple had died from fatal gunshot wounds to the head, but investigators hadn’t released their findings until this week.
A Harvard police officer discovered the gruesome scene after he spotted a car with its hazards on, parked on the side of US Highway 14 near Burbank Street.
A gun was found inside the car next to the couple’s bodies.
Officials have not released a motive behind the deadly shooting.
“While the investigation remains active as investigators finalize their review of all evidence and reports, this has been determined to be an isolated incident, and there is no indication of any ongoing threat to the community,” the department said.
Rachel Dumovich, 29, met her future husband, 30, when the two were 12 years old, describing themselves as “middle school sweethearts,” according to their The Knot wedding website.
She claimed that she caught his attention by “stealing cologne from his locker and running away with it.”
The two stayed in touch “through many life stages and 15 years of friendship,” Rachel wrote, sharing that they began dating in 2022.
Brandon proposed in the summer of 2023 at Big Cedar Lake near Slinger, Wisconsin, where the pair got married on Oct. 12, 2024.
“We can’t wait to share the next chapter of our love story surrounded by our friends and family!” Rachel wrote in announcing the wedding.
Rachel attended the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee, where she graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 2018, before becoming a human resource manager at Climate Pros, LLC, according to her obituary.
Brandon Dumovich served in the US Navy as a Petty Officer and died a day after his 30th birthday, his obituary stated.
Hours before her death, Rachel posted on Facebook: “Forever chasing sunsets. Wishing we were back in Greece.” The post is believed to have referenced the couple’s honeymoon.
With Post wires
If you are struggling with suicidal thoughts or are experiencing a mental health crisis and live in New York City, you can call 1-888-NYC-WELL for free and confidential crisis counseling. If you live outside the five boroughs, you can dial the 24/7 National Suicide Prevention hotline at 988 or go to SuicidePreventionLifeline.org.
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