IOWA COUNTY, Wis. - Aric L. Way, 51, of Glendale, Wis., and Philip G. Schmidt-Way, 28, of Loveland, Colo., have been found guilty of First-Degree Intentional Homicide in connection to the murder of their mother/grandmother in Dodgeville, Wis. on July 19, 2021. The verdict was announced by the Wisconsin Department of Justice Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI).
"The convictions in this complex homicide case were possible because of the diligent work of those who investigated and prosecuted this case," said Attorney General Josh Kaul. "Thank you to everyone who helped hold the defendants accountable for this terrible crime."
The victim was discovered deceased in her Dodgeville, Wis., home on July 19, 2021. An autopsy revealed that carbon monoxide poisoning was a contributing factor to the cause of death. The criminal complaint states that the victim had recently agreed to sell the family farm, which Philip G. Schmidt-Way was set to inherit upon her death. The complaint further reveals that there were no apparent sources to explain the elevated levels of carbon monoxide in the home. Aric L. Way had purchased products known to react together to create carbon monoxide, and Philip G. Schmidt-Way's vehicle was captured on camera at the victim's home on the night of her death.
The investigation into this case was conducted by the Iowa County Sheriff's Office and the DCI, with assistance from various agencies including the Wisconsin State Crime Lab, Dodgeville EMS, Dodgeville Fire, Northern Colorado Drug Task Force, Larimer County Sheriff's Office - Colorado, UW Hospital, Glendale Police Department, Eastern District of Wisconsin U.S. Marshals Service, Wisconsin State Patrol, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Victim services were provided by the Iowa County District Attorney's Office. The case was prosecuted by Assistant Attorneys General Nathaniel Adamson and Edward Minser.
The trial and subsequent guilty verdict highlight the dedication and meticulousness of law enforcement and prosecutors in seeking justice. The convictions serve as a powerful message that those responsible for heinous crimes will be held accountable.
To learn more, click on this link: https://www.doj.state.wi.us/news-releases/two-found-guilty-homicide-connection-death-dodgeville-wis-woman