Homicide Investigation | Suspect Identified
On April 28, 2017, at 2:52 PM, the Middleton Police Department was contacted by a male caller who stated that he had just found a family member deceased at 7113 University Avenue in the City of Middleton. Upon arrival, officers located an elderly female deceased in the garage. Family had gone to check on the victim as she had not been seen or heard from since late Wednesday afternoon.
Observations of the first officers on scene indicated that the death was of a suspicious nature.
Based on the complexity of the scene and seriousness of this incident, assistance with the on scene evidence collection and investigation was requested from the Dane County Sheriff’s Department. Officials from the Dane County Medical Examiner’s office also responded to the scene to help determine the cause and manner of death.
7113 University Avenue, Middleton is a single family home owned and occupied by the victim of this incident, 82 year old Agnes Bram.
Ms. Bram lived at the residence with a boarder who rented a bedroom within the home. The current boarder has been identified as 53 year old John “Jack” Hamann. Hamann has been a tenant of Bram’s for approximately six months.
Upon completion of an autopsy on Saturday, the Dane County Medical Examiner’s Office indicated that Ms. Bram died as a result of homicidal blunt force trauma to the head.
Upon learning of his identity, on Friday evening, officers immediately began searching for Mr. Hamann to confirm his safety and interview him. Mr. Hamann was found sleeping in a U.W. Hospital waiting room during the morning hours of Saturday April 29th. Mr. Hamann was returned to the Middleton Police Department. A search warrant was then executed and evidence was collected from Mr. Hamann’s clothing and person.
Mr. Hamann was subsequently booked into the Dane County Jail on a preliminary charge of first-degree intentional homicide.
Upon the issuance of a search warrant for the residence, a complete search and forensic analysis of the Bram home was conducted by Detectives from the Middleton Police Department and the State of Wisconsin Crime Laboratory on Sunday April 30th.
During this investigation, it was determined the Mr. Hamann was observed carrying a brown satchel or shoulder carry-on bag throughout downtown Middleton on Friday April 28th. Video evidence showing Mr. Hamann leaving Middleton at approximately 6:00 PM on Friday shows him without the bag. Middleton Police Detectives are asking for the public’s assistance in locating this bag. A photograph of the bag in question can be found attached to this media release. Should area residents find a bag matching this description, we would ask that they not touch the item and that they immediately call the Middleton Police Department.
The Middleton Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident and shall provide written press releases when further information becomes available. A press conference will be held by Chief Foulke at the Middleton Police Department at 11:30 AM on May 1st, 2017.
The Middleton Police Department is asking anyone who may have information or witnessed this incident to contact the police department at 608.824.7300, tipster line at 608.824.7304 or text at 608.824.7300.
Captain Steven Britt
608-824-7300
[email protected]
Pursuant to the directive of the Wisconsin Supreme Court, as found in Supreme Court Rule 20:3.6, Trial Publicity, you are advised that a charge is merely an accusation and that a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Address/Location
Middleton Police Department
7341 Donna Dr
Middleton, WI 53562
Contact
Emergency: 9-1-1
Non-emergencies: 608-824-7300
Captain Steven Britt
Administrative Services Commander
[email protected]
608-824-7300
7113 University Ave
Middleton, WI 53562