A quiet Wisconsin neighborhood is reeling after a heartbreaking event shattered the lives of a close-knit family.
What seemed like an ordinary evening turned into an unimaginable nightmare—leaving behind grief, confusion, and an urgent reminder about the seriousness of mental illness.
Couple Found Dead in Their Middleton Home
David and Teresa “Teri” Pabst, both 64, were discovered lifeless inside their Middleton residence on Tuesday morning.
A concerned relative stopped by after the couple didn’t show up for plans earlier in the day.
That family member, sensing something was terribly wrong, immediately called 911.
Authorities arrived to find the couple had been fatally shot the night before—around 9:30 p.m.—inside the home they shared with their adult son, 25-year-old James Pabst.
Investigators believe James used a legally obtained handgun to carry out the act.
Suspect Fled the Scene Before Confrontation With Police
Shortly after the killings, James left the family home.
Hours later, police spotted him about 80 miles away on US Highway 14 in Vernon County.
When officers initiated a traffic stop, James pulled over but wouldn’t exit his car or respond to commands.
After nearly an hour of silence, officers approached and discovered he had fatally shot himself.
Despite paramedics’ efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Couple’s Legacy in Public Service and Education
David and Teri Pabst were deeply rooted in their community.
David served as Director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety within the Wisconsin State Patrol and had been a public servant for nearly 40 years.
His dedication to keeping Wisconsin roads safe earned him the respect of many colleagues.
Teri, on the other hand, poured her heart into teaching.
She worked at an elementary school in Madison and was known for her passion for helping children.
According to her daughters, she thrived whenever she could make a positive impact in a child’s life.
A Grieving Family Speaks Out With Heartache and Hope
Their daughters—Lora, Danielle, and Heidi—issued a heartfelt statement expressing their devastation.
While they honored their parents’ legacy, they also addressed the painful reality of their brother’s struggle with mental illness.
They described James’s condition as “debilitating,” urging others to recognize the toll mental health can take on entire families.
They remembered James as he was before his illness worsened, asking others to do the same.
Plea to Others Facing Mental Health Battles
In their emotional message, the sisters encouraged anyone grappling with mental health challenges—or supporting someone who is—to reach out for help.
“Please don’t give up,” they wrote.
“Find someone to talk to. Even one thread of hope is worth holding onto.”
Their words were not only a reflection of grief but also a powerful call to action, hoping others might be saved from similar heartache.
Community and Law Enforcement Pay Tribute
Following the tragedy, the Wisconsin State Patrol issued a formal statement, mourning the loss of David and Teri.
They acknowledged David’s decades of service, noting that mourning bands would be worn in his honor until his interment.
Dane County Sheriff Kalvin Barrett also expressed deep condolences to the family and community, emphasizing that while the investigation is no longer criminal, law enforcement remains committed to supporting the surviving family and helping them find closure.
A Family Torn Apart But Not Forgotten
David and Teri Pabst were not just professionals—they were loving parents to five children and proud grandparents to seven.
Their deaths, alongside the loss of their son, have left a profound void in the lives of many.
As their daughters continue to process the unthinkable, they’ve chosen to share their story not just in remembrance, but in hope that it might help others—families silently battling similar struggles—to speak up, seek help, and hold on.