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.

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

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.

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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