A tragic event involving two female students has led police to suspect a murder suicide pact between them.
Hallie Helms and Kelsie Martin, both 22 years old, were found in their residency at Wisconsin-Platteville. For Hallie Helms, it was already too late, but Martin was rushed to the ER in critical condition.
Despite the best efforts of doctors at the UW hospital, Martin was later also declared dead. Both students had suffered from gunshot wounds. The timeline is still unclear, but police believe the event occurred around 4 pm on the 19th of May.
The initial investigation showed that Hallie Helms died of a gunshot wound, and Martin died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. This has led investigators to suspect that this was a murder suicide pact between the two students.
At this time, no other people are suspected of being involved in the shooting. The university stated that, after the autopsy, “All indications at this time from the preliminary autopsy suggest a murder-suicide.”
University Rocked By Student Murder Suicide
Both students had graduated with their degrees only two days before. Helms was an elementary education major, and Martin had achieved her psychology major. The university is deeply saddened by the loss of the two students to a suspected murder suicide.
“Thank you to all who have reached out to us through messages and offered to support in so many meaningful ways. We are overwhelmed by your kindness. We are a close community, and this outpouring of care is a powerful reminder of who we are.” They reassured, “We do not take it for granted. #PioneerStrong,” they posted to their Facebook page.
For the rest of the students at Wisconsin-Platteville, final exams have been cancelled and delayed. They have also all been offered on-site counseling. The stress and strain of college can often become too much for young people to take. Feeling like there is no future, and no other option, drastic measures are taken.
The suspected murder suicide at the college has shocked the other students. Many of them will have been their colleagues throughout their education. It is always important to remember there is help out there, even when everything feels hopeless.