By Rob Golub , Jan. 5, 2002
RACINE -- In a city where house burglaries have been all too common recently, an elderly couple found dead Thursday appear to be victims of a burglary that went bad.
Herman and Carol Petersen, 72 and 69 respectively, were found dead with multiple stab wounds Thursday. They were found on the floor of their home at 3725 Republic Ave. by Herman Petersen's sister.
Investigators have rejected earlier murder-suicide theories and now consider the case a double homicide. Police are on a manhunt for a potential suspect in the case, the driver of a dark-colored SUV.
Police believe the initial motive of the killer was burglary. They believe a man seen transferring items from the Petersens' van to an SUV on Wednesday may have been involved. It's possible a burglar entered the home intending only to steal, but was confronted by the Petersens.
A witness described the man moving items into the SUV as white or possibly a light-skinned Hispanic. He is believed to be between 5-foot-10 and 6 feet tall, 190 pounds, with a medium build. Police are asking that anyone with information call the department. The vehicle is described as a dark, shiny SUV, with rear cargo doors that open from the center like barn doors and with no visible spare tire.
When asked if the burglary was tied to other recent house burglaries in Racine, police only said that all possibilities are being aggressively investigated. House burglaries occurred in the 1100 block of Walton Avenue on Christmas Day and in the 2100 block of Hamilton Avenue on Wednesday or Thursday. In both cases, nothing was noticed missing, but it was clear a burglar entered the house.
Police issued a public notice in December asking for information on residential burglaries in Racine. Police said burglaries are taking place throughout the city, often during the day when the burglar believes the homeowner is at work.
It's not clear what time the Petersen burglary took place.
"Investigators are currently at the autopsy and are conducting follow-up interviews of people in the neighborhood and following several leads," Sgt. Al Days, Racine Police Department spokesman, said Friday afternoon.
"We know that there were items taken from the home. It appears that the initial reason for entering the home was not to commit homicide."
Police said there was no visible sign of forcible entry at the home. But Days said the possibility of a murder-suicide has been ruled out. At first, some had wondered if a major surgery in the Petersen family scheduled for next week could somehow be related to the two deaths.
Each victim reportedly suffered multiple stab wounds. Police said there is no suspect or suspects at this time.
One mystery in the case is that the Petersens' van -- the one that had items transferred from it to an SUV -- was parked a half-block from the house. Police declined to shed light on the oddity.
The Petersens' family is helping police determine what's missing from the home.
"It's just a tragic event for that area and that community," Days said. "We're following leads. We're hoping that these leads work out for us."
The department has increased police patrols in the Petersens' neighborhood, and officers are walking door-to-door to reassure residents of their safety.
---------- I'm confident the killer(s)will be apprehended. I think they were confronted, freaked out and killed Mr And Mrs. Petersen. This will be their undoing.
My sister works with a relative of the deceased. She said her aunt, who discovered the bodies, said Herman put up a big fight that nearly demolished the kitchen, where his body was found. Carol Petersen hada very bad heart and is the one who was going to undergo surgery soon. She was found in the hallway. Wherther she was fleeing or coming to the aid of her husband is unknown.
My friend, Sandy, has been unable to leave her house since having a hysterectomy before Christmas. She has a prosthetic leg, which due to post-surgical swelling doesn't fit. As of the last time I heard from her, she had not had any sleep in 2 days.
No funeral arrangements have been made pending the release of the bodies from the medical examiner's office.
Unthinkable.
I don't like bringing this thread off the topic of prayers for the victim's relatives, but since when did burglaries start off as a good thing and then transform into something bad?