Manhunt for Triple Murder Suspect Grows in Wisconsin

The Juneau County Sheriff's Office "believe that Virgil may be out of the area."

NEW LISBON, Wisc. – The FBI and US Marshals have joined the manhunt for a triple murder suspect considered armed and dangerous in Wisconsin.

The Juneau County Sheriff’s Office says it has conducted extensive ground searches and utilized drones in the search for 47-year-old Virgil Thew.

Thew is wanted on three counts of First-Degree Intentional Homicide, after three bodies were discovered in a New Lisbon, Wisconsin home on December 30. The victims included 33-year-old Elizabeth Kolba, and two girls aged 12 and 13 whose identities have not been released.

According to local authorities, on the night of December 29, the Monroe County Sheriffs requested assistance from their counterparts in Juneau County, in locating a missing juvenile. The child was last seen being picked up by Thew, who resides in New Lisbon.

New Lisbon Police began aiding the investigation on the morning of December 30, and throughout the day, became aware of a second missing juvenile.

Authorities located three deceased females, one adult and two children, around 4:29 pm on December 30, in New Lisbon. While Kolba has been identified as the adult female victim, police have not released the names of the two juveniles; or confirm whether they are the same juveniles that were reported missing hours before.

The FBI, US Marshals, and several local agencies across the state are currently assisting in the manhunt for Thew. Following tips and searches of the New Lisbon area, the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office said they “believe that Virgil may be out of the area.”

Anyone who sees Virgil should not approach him and should call law enforcement immediately. Tips and information are encouraged and can be submitted to the Juneau County Sheriff’s Office or New Lisbon Police Department.