‘Widowed’ Wisconsin husband allegedly killed wife and hid body — before using her wedding ring to propose to his new girlfriend

A Wisconsin man reportedly changed his Facebook status to “widowed” after allegedly killing his wife and disposing of her body — and even used her wedding ring to propose to his new Tinder match, authorities said.

Aaron Nelson, 43, was arrested Friday for the murder and disappearance of his wife, Alexis Nelson, whose body hasn’t been found since she vanished over a year ago, according to the Dodge County Sheriff’s Office.

Aaron Nelson, 43, apparently changed his Facebook status to “widowed” after allegedly killing his wife and hiding her body. Dodge County Sheriffâs Office)

The couple was last spotted on surveillance footage on March 29, 2025, at a Kwik Trip convenience store in Beaver Dam, where they shared an apartment, according to court documents obtained by Law and Crime.

Alexis Nelson’s phone records showed she moved to Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, roughly 30 miles away. Shortly after, her husband purchased a 32-gallon trash can, the outlet said.

Just days later, Aaron Nelson allegedly created a new Facebook account under the name “James Nelson,” which listed his relationship status as widowed, WISC reported.

Though Alexis Nelson’s remains have never been found, her husband was arrested on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse. Dodge County Sheriffâs Office)

On April 30, 2025, he met a new lover on Tinder, who told investigators she and the alleged killer had already moved in together by the end of May, prosecutors said, according to the outlet.

While talking with Aaron Nelson’s new girlfriend, cops noted she was wearing an engagement ring — which was later confirmed to belong to his missing wife, the outlet reported.

In June, police uncovered the 32-gallon trash can at the widower’s new fiancée’s home. It later tested positive for Alexis Nelson’s blood, and a cadaver dog recognized the scent of decaying human remains in a shed on the property, according to authorities.

Though the remains of his wife were never located, Aaron Nelson was finally arrested last week on charges of first-degree intentional homicide and hiding a corpse.

He was booked in Dodge County Jail and ordered held on a $1 million cash bond, court records show.

Aaron is slated to return to court on May 28.