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Local News

Three dead in Lewisville domestic dispute

Jenn Brookens — Staff Writer
POSTED: January 18, 2010

LEWISVILLE - A call reporting gunshots shortly before 8 a.m. Sunday in Antrim Township led to the discovery of three dead bodies in the basement of a rural Lewisville home.

According to a news release from Watonwan County Sheriff's Office, a caller reported hearing gunshots fired in the residence at 7:45 a.m. A sheriff's deputy and Madelia police officer responded.

When law enforcement entered, they observed a body lying at the bottom of the basement steps. They later found two more bodies in the basement.

The victims were identified as Ashley Ann Sullivan, 25, and her stepfather, Chester Michael Gronewold, 59. The third person, suspected of killing Sullivan and Gronewold, is Shawn Eric Haugen, 28.

Officials believe the incident was a domestic situation, in which Haugen came to the residence, violating a condition of release. Sullivan had a no-contact order against Haugen. Police believe a confrontation took place, and Sullivan and Gronewold were shot. Haugen then turned the gun on himself.

Three other people at the residence - a woman, and two children ages 15 and 2 - were not harmed.

Haugen was charged in December with domestic abuse against Sullivan. He had been released on Dec. 21, but was re-arrested on Jan. 5 for violating the no-contact order. He was released from jail again Thursday.

A glimpse of Haugen's Facebook page showed he recently posted many photos of "Family ... at its best" that had several pictures of Haugen, along with a woman and two small children.

The most recent entry on Haugen's page was early Sunday morning:

"Hey I need to say goodbye .. hurt is too much to bear. You are ... beautiful people and I love you all but I became extremely sick, devastated at all the (loss) at once."

The investigation is continuing with the help of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the state crime lab.

 
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Member Comments
View Comments: | 1-6 | Post a comment
JodyAW
01-18-10 11:59 PM
Nicole - you're welcome. I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sorry for everyone's loss. What a tragedy!

Explorerchick
01-18-10 9:51 PM
The sad thing is that there is a little toddler without a mom or a dad.

williambuddjr
01-18-10 9:37 PM
very sad

NiColeF
01-18-10 8:34 PM
Jody- this is the niece of the victim. I am in Texas. Thanks for supporting my feelings on the issues. I am glad to see that they were corrected. I know the public has a right to know but I wish there was more discretion.

JodyAW
01-18-10 8:22 PM
I was wondering that also.

catmom
01-18-10 8:02 PM
What happened to the comments that were here this morning?

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