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New Lisbon triple murder: WI authorities issue statewide alert for suspect search

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Published  January 4, 2025 4:20pm CST
Crime and Public Safety
FOX 9
article

Wisconsin authorities shared photos of a man suspected of killing two girls and a woman in New Lisbon.  (Supplied)

The Brief

    • Wisconsin law enforcement authorities have released photos of a man suspected of killing two girls and a woman on Monday.
    • Officials say Virgil G. Thew should be considered armed and dangerous and anyone who sees him should call 911.
    • The woman killed is identified as Elizabeth Kolba, while the names of the 12-and 13-year-old victims are being withheld.

NEW LISBON, Wis. (FOX 9) - A suspect wanted for three counts of first-degree intentional homicide is still at large after a woman and two girls were found dead in New Lisbon, Wisconsin. 

Wisconsin authorities search for murder suspect 

What we know: The suspect, Virgil G. Thew, 47, is suspected of killing a woman as well as a 12-year-old and a 13-year-old girl. 

The woman is identified by authorities as Elizabeth Kolba, while the names of the girls are being withheld. 

Thew is described as a 47-year-old man with blue eyes and brown hair with a 1-inch scar on his forehead. He is about 5'11'' and weighs about 150lbs, according to a message from the Wisconsin Crime Alert Network. 

Wisconsin law enforcement say they have had two confirmed sightings of Thew in the New Lisbon area, but believe he may be out of the area after an "extensive search" was unable to locate him. 

Authorities add that Thew is wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Parole in addition to three counts of first-degree intentional homicide. 

Anyone who has knowledge of his whereabouts is asked to call 911 or contact the Juneau County Sheriff's Office. 

What we don't know: Law enforcement have not released information on a possible motive for the killings or what the relationship was between the suspect and the victims.  

New Lisbon deaths

Background: According to the New Lisbon Police Department, the Monroe County Sheriff's Office contacted the Juneau County Sheriff's Office just after 10 p.m. on Dec. 29 to ask for help finding a missing juvenile. 

Authorities say the missing juvenile was picked up and last seen with Virgil Thew, who was known to reside in New Lisbon. 

The New Lisbon Police Department said it began to search for the missing juvenile at about 7:40 a.m. on Dec. 30 and then became aware of a second missing juvenile from New Lisbon.

Multiple law enforcement agencies then continued the investigation before the two juveniles and the woman were found dead at a home in the 300 block of West Bridge Street in New Lisbon just before 4:30 p.m.

READ MORE: 2 juveniles, woman killed in Wisconsin; authorities searching for suspect

The Source: A news release from the Wisconsin Crime Alet Network. 

Crime and Public SafetyWisconsin