Homicide Suspect Who Fled to New Mexico Ordered to Return to Wisconsin Within 48 Hours

Wednesday, October 11th, 2023 -- 12:01 PM

(Ted Ehlen, WRN) An Eau Claire County court judge has ordered a homicide suspect who fled to New Mexico to return to Wisconsin within 48 hours.

On Monday, Judge Sarah Harless ordered Shane Helmbrecht to return to the state and contact the Eau Claire County Sheriff’s Office for verification or be served a warrant for his arrest by the county. Helmbrecht is accused of murdering his neighbor in Eau Claire in 2016.

After he was found not competent to stand trial, Helmbrecht was ordered to stay in a group home in Tomah. He was located in New Mexico a week ago Monday after not returning to the group home when expected.

Helmbrecht’s whereabouts are currently unknown, with his attorneys saying they’ve had no contact with him, and that his phone has been disconnected.

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