NEW LISBON, Wis. — A manhunt is underway after two juveniles and one adult were found dead in New Lisbon, according to the New Lisbon Police Department.
Police said it all started with the report of a missing juvenile from the county. The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 29 was asked by the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department to assist in the case.
The juvenile had last been picked up by and seen with 47-year-old Virgil Thew, who police say is now the person of interest in this case. Police said Thew is known to reside in the city of New Lisbon.
He’s described by police as a white male, weighing approximately 150 pounds and being 5-foot 10-inches tall. Police say he was last seen wearing a dark-colored coat, blue jeans and a hat.
Juneau County Sheriff's Office shared on Thursday a new photo of Thew taken in a Dollar General in New Lisbon on Dec. 29, 2024.
On Dec. 30 at around 7:40 a.m., investigation efforts began to locate the missing juvenile. On that same day, investigators were made aware of a second missing juvenile from the city of New Lisbon.
Officials said they continued to investigate throughout the day on Dec. 30 with cooperation of the juvenile’s parents, Wisconsin Probation and Parole, Monroe County Sheriff’s Department, Mauston Police Department, Necedah Police Department and the Wisconsin State Patrol.
Police said that at around 4:29 p.m. that day, they located two juveniles and one adult, who had all died. They were found in a residence near the 300 block of West Bridge Street in the city of New Lisbon. It was not clear whether those juveniles were the same ones reported missing.
Officials said the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Juneau County Detectives and investigative staff with the Monroe County Sheriff’s Department “diligently processed the residence.”
Thew, the suspect in this case, is currently wanted through Wisconsin Probation and Patrol. Police said he should be considered armed and dangerous and advised the public to not approach or confront him. Instead, officials said to contact 911.
New Lisbon Police Department said it will continue to provide updated information on the case.