Nebraska

Dodgeville man accused of killing woman was ‘just trying to get the car,’ complaint alleges

Published

8 months ago

July 18, 2025

Dodgeville man accused of killing woman was ‘just trying to get the car,’ complaint alleges

DODGEVILLE, Wis. (WMTV) – A criminal complaint reveals the man accused of killing a Dodgeville woman, whose body was found in Nebraska, admitted to stabbing her and taking her SUV.

Dorinda Segebrecht was found dead in the backseat of a vehicle in Lincoln, Nebraska, early Wednesday morning.

Gavin Thompson, a 23-year-old Dodgeville man, was arrested after a vehicle pursuit, crash and massive manhunt in Lincoln, Nebraska.

A criminal complaint stated Dorinda Segebrecht did not show up to a planned family outing and stopped responding to text messages after 11:25 a.m. on Tuesday. Her family then called in a welfare check to police.

Family members determined her car was not at home, but her purse, keys and a damaged pair of glasses were still there. Law enforcement reported finding blood stains in the front of the home, according to the complaint.

The complaint recounted a person of interest was seen wearing a blue shirt, camouflage jacket and yellow shoes walking in the southeast area of Dodgeville throughout the day. He was spotted on a camera in the 400 block of E. Division St at 2:23 p.m., and Segebrecht’s car was seen on the camera driving away about 10 minutes.

After he was arrested in Nebraska, Thompson allegedly admitted he needed money and a car because he had recently lost his job. He said he went inside the victim’s home, which was unlocked, without knocking because it appeared to be a calm place. He said “emotions collided” and a death happened, the complaint stated.

He allegedly admitted to stabbing the victim, and said he did not intend to kill her. He just wanted the car, according to the complaint.

Thompson also allegedly admitted to trying to clean up the home while wearing gloves and stealing a few hundred dollars, the complaint states. He took the car keys and put Segebrecht’s body into her Hyundai Kona SUV because he thought taking her body with him was “the right thing to do,” the complaint alleges.

Thompson faces charges in Iowa County that include first-degree intentional homicide, burglary while armed with a dangerous weapon, hiding a corpse and operating a motor vehicle without owner’s consent.

He is facing charges in Nebraska of operating a motor vehicle to avoid arrest, hiding a corpse and theft by unlawful taking of $5,000 or more.

At his arraignment in Lancaster County, Nebraska, a judge set Thompson’s bond at 10% of $5,000,000.

He is currently being held in the Lancaster County Jail. Thompson will be awaiting extradition back to Wisconsin, which Dodgeville Police Chief Brandon Wilhelm said he expects to take up to a week. Wilhelm said he personally will head to Nebraska to take Thompson in.

Gavin Thompson, 23 – Dodgeville, Wisconsin(Lancaster County Jail)

Segebrecht’s vehicle was spotted around 6:45 p.m. Tuesday in Peru, Illinois.

Dorinda Segebrecht(Iowa County Sheriff’s Office)

Throughout the night, Wilhelm said authorities followed up on leads that led them from St. Charles, Missouri, to the Lincoln, Nebraska, area.

Nebraska State Patrol eventually spotted the vehicle at 1:50 a.m. Wednesday and tried to pull it over. Thompson allegedly took off, eventually lost control and crashed. He got out of the car and ran off.

It was at that point that law enforcement found Segebrecht’s body in the back of the vehicle.

Law enforcement on the north side of Highway 6, west of Highway 103, after a pursuit and crash... — Law enforcement on the north side of Highway 6, west of Highway 103, after a pursuit and crash on I-80 west of the Pleasant Dale exit on 7/16/25.(KOLN)

Wilhelm said a manhunt for Thompson was ongoing until around 6 a.m. Wednesday, and police arrested him.

Wilhelm asked residents in the City of Dodgeville and nearby rural areas to take note of anything suspicious they may have noticed from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. on July 15, including sightings they may have had of Thompson.

Wilhelm said home surveillance video, or anyone who saw the suspect or vehicle, could help law enforcement in the investigation. Witnesses can send any information to policetip@dodgevillewi.gov.

Iowa County Sheriff Michael Peterson said the Segebrecht family wanted to release a statement to the public.

“That they would like to thank all of the law enforcement agencies in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois that has assisted us with her case,” Peterson said. “The outpouring of community support has just been overwhelming. We appreciate the continued respect of our privacy at this time.”

Peterson also thanked the Thompson family for their cooperation and respect during this investigation, saying law enforcement recognize the emotional toll it has taken on them, as well.

Dodgeville Mayor Barry Hottmann expressed his condolences to the Segebrecht family, saying her death is an unimaginable loss.

“The pain of such a senseless act of violence is something no family should have to endure,” Hottmann said. “Please know that our entire community mourns with you.”

Hottmann said Dodgeville is a community that looks out for one another, and he wanted people to know that it is a safe and strong community.

Mayor Hottmann also wanted residents to know there are resources available, especially for the Segebrecht family, for those who need support. This could be through local faith communities, city services or trusted organizations.

WMTV sister station KOLN reports Thompson’s next Lancaster County, Nebraska, court date is Aug. 26. A criminal complaint is expected to be filed in Iowa County, Wisconsin, Friday afternoon.

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Nebraska

Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox

Published

11 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

Shelter in place issued after suspicious object found in mailbox

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — UPDATE: Grand Island Police said around 3:30 p.m. Tuesday that the shelter in place order has been lifted .

GIPD said the item was retrieved by the Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad, who is investigating.

The area has also now been reopened.

ORIGINAL STORY:

The Grand Island Police Department has cordoned off a local block and is urging residents to shelter in place.

According to GIPD, officers responded to the 4300 block of Sherwood Road just before 2:00 p.m. Tuesday afternoon. A resident reported finding a suspicious cylindrical object wrapped in duct tape inside a home.

The Nebraska State Patrol Bomb Squad has been called to the scene to investigate the device.

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Nebraska

68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

Published

23 hours ago

March 10, 2026

Press Room

68 students chosen as Nebraska Young Artist Award winners

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts has announced the winners of the 29th annual Nebraska Young Artist Awards.

The awards recognize 11th-grade students from Nebraska for their talents in visual art, dance, music, theatre, and film and emerging media arts.

Sixty-eight students from more than 40 high schools across the state have been selected as award winners and will be invited to a day of activities on campus March 25.

“Our faculty always look forward to this event,” said Chris Watson, director of recruitment for the college and coordinator of the awards. “They love meeting enthusiastic young artists, working with them and celebrating their talent.”

Students applied for the recognition and submitted an example of their work. Applications were received from 92 students. Hixson-Lied College faculty chose the winners.

Award winners were also asked to nominate the teacher who provided them with the greatest amount of mentoring and support in the development of their special talents.

Each student will receive a certificate and an original piece of artwork commissioned for the event and created by a School of Art, Art History and Design student.

Following is a list of award winners by hometown, with their high school and specialty area(s).

Aurora:

Calvin Miller, Aurora, music

Beaver City:

Johnathan Eakin, Southern Valley, visual arts

Bellevue:

Mami Lloyd, Bellevue West, music

Bennington:

Liliana Martic, Bennington, music

Eagle:

Jorie Goings, Waverly, dance

Firth:

Petra Van Cleave, home school, music

Fremont:

Xavier Herre, Bergan Catholic, theatre

Fullerton:

Lylla Sabata, Fullerton, music

Gretna:

Lillian Bock, Gretna, music

Harvard:

Allee Jarzynka, Harvard, music

Hendley:

Lily Jordan, Southern Valley, visual arts

Hooper:

Leo Arellano, Logan View, visual arts
Ellsie Meier, Logan View, visual arts

Kearney:

Kruz Flamig, Kearney, visual arts
Isaac Hooton, Kearney, visual arts
Mariah Kaslon, Kearney, visual arts
Landen Tilley, Kearney, visual arts

Lincoln:

Alissa Brenning, Norris, dance
Kali Brewer, Lincoln Southeast, visual arts
Ava Engel, Lincoln Northeast, dance
Emalie Fischer, Lincoln North Star, dance
Adelyn Haden, Lincoln Standing Bear, dance and music
Audrey Haugen, Lincoln Southwest, theatre
Andrea Hu, Lincoln East, music
Logan Lambrecht, Lincoln Southwest, music and theatre
Mckinzey Lile, Lincoln North Star, dance
Hayley Marshall, Lincoln Southwest, dance
Riley Minster, Lincoln East, music
Joslyn Morgan, Lincoln Southeast, music
Ariadne Ottoson, home school, music
Megan Plander, Lincoln Lutheran, theatre
Lauren Ramey, LPS Arts and Humanities Focus Program, visual arts
Blake Semrad, Lincoln Southwest, dance
Emma Shaeffer, Lincoln Southwest, dance
Taylor Sharpe, Lincoln Southwest, dance
Hugh Skretta, Lincoln High, music
Samuel Sulzle, Lincoln Northwest, music
Brooks Xia, Lincoln East, music

Martell:

Reese Thomas, home school, music

Norfolk:

Noah Asbury, Norfolk, music
Emily Henkel, Norfolk, music; Nathan Kaiser, Norfolk, music
North Platte: Brett Pfeifer, North Platte, theatre

Omaha:

Asher Abuhl, Trinity Classical Academy, music
Adam Campagna, Omaha South, film and emerging media arts
Liam Cowherd Richardson, Creighton Preparatory, music
Regina Ho, Millard South, film and emerging media arts
Connor Holmstedt, Fort Calhoun, music
Kara Leininger, Duchesne Academy, music
Jayden Li, Millard North, music; Violet Little, Omaha Central, dance
Mrethi Magesh, Millard North, dance
Venkatesan Marichamy, Millard North, dance
Moyra Matthews, Duchesne Academy, dance and music
Jackson Mu, Millard North, music
Gauri Nair, Millard North, dance
Angela Qi, Millard North, music
Jackson Ramsey, Gretna East, music
Tara Richardson, Creighton Prep, music
Vandana Santhanam, Marian, music
Caroline Soderlin, Millard North, music
Akshara Venkatesan, Millard North, dance
Caleigh Walkenhorst, Millard West, music

Osmond:

Donovan Heiman, Osmond, theatre

Papillion:

Emelia Weaver, Papillion-La Vista, music

Pierce:

Spencer Sindt, Pierce, music

Randolph:

Brecken Shearer, Randolph, visual arts

York:

Allison Holmes, York, visual arts

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Nebraska

Nebraska completes sweep over Michigan State in 12-2 seven-inning win

Published

1 day ago

March 9, 2026

Press Room

Nebraska completes sweep over Michigan State in 12-2 seven-inning win

Nebraska baseball (10-5, 3-0) closed out its three-game series with Michigan State (3-11, 0-3) on Sunday afternoon. The Huskers completed the sweep over the Spartans, earning a 12-2 run-rule win in seven.

Nebraska shut down Michigan State early, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first after the Spartans took a 1-0 lead. The Huskers scored 11 straight before surrendering another run. The team totaled 11 hits and held Michigan State to three. The Spartans also suffered five errors.

Nebraska struck three home runs on the day, two off the bat of Dylan Carey. He hit 3-for-4 for four RBIs after hitting multiple two-run home runs. Preston Freeman also blasted a two-run shot over the wall to finish 1-for-3.

Case Sanderson brought in three RBIs after batting 2-for-4 with a double. Drew Grego also finished 2-for-4, earning one RBI. Mac Moyer grabbed one RBI off a double. Jett Buck and Joshua Overbeek each delivered one hit.

Gavin Blachowicz (2-1) won at the mound and pitched all seven innings for the Huskers. He struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed three hits for two runs.

Nebraska remains at home for its next matchup, hosting North Dakota State on Wednesday night. The first pitch is set for 6 p.m. CT on B1G+.

Contact/Follow us @CornhuskersWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Nebraska news, notes and opinions.

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