Natalie Kleemeier
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CANDID ID: WI_22_1443
AGE
12   years
STATE
Wisconsin
DATE OF DEATH
10/21/2022
DEATH RECORDS
Not Available
STATE REPORTS
Not Available
SUMMARY OF DEATH
Natalie Kleemeier, a 14-year-old freshman at Arrowhead Union High School, was found dead along with five other family members after a fire at a four-unit apartment building near Oxford Drive and Mansfield Court in Hartland, Wisconsin on October 21, 2022. Police determined all six victims died from single gunshot wounds in what was classified as a murder-suicide. Connor McKisick, one of the two adults, died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound; the other adult victim was Jessica McKisick. The other child victims were a 12-year-old girl (identified as Sofina Kleemeier) and two 3-year-old boys. An ignitable liquid was found in an unusual location, suggesting the fire was intentionally set after the shootings. Several guns were found on the property.
Contexts/Conditions

Is there any mention of child drug ingestion or overdose?

Is there any mention of a drowning incident (either intentional or accidental)?

Is there any mention of a firearm incident?

The WISN article states that all six victims "died from a single gunshot wound" and that "investigators found several guns in the property on Mansfield Court." The FOX6 article corroborates that six people were found dead in the fire, and the police investigation was criminal in nature.

Is there any mention of inappropriate supervision (e.g., child wandered off and drowned)?

Is there any mention of inflicted injury? (e.g. slapped, punched, kicked, choked)

The WISN article states that "the 6 people whose bodies were found after an apartment fire Friday morning all died from a single gunshot wound" and that the investigation "focuses on a murder-suicide." Connor McKisick's wound was self-inflicted, meaning the children's gunshot wounds were inflicted by him.

Is there any mention of malnutrition, starvation, or dehydration?

Is there any mention of medical neglect?

Is there any mention of a motor vehicle crash or incident?

Is there any mention of a murder-suicide incident?

The WISN article explicitly states that "the investigation focuses on a murder-suicide" and that "Connor McKisick's wound was self-inflicted." The headline itself reads "Police: 6 dead in murder-suicide discovered after fire."

Is there any mention of outdoor elements (including hot car deaths)?

Is there any mention of prenatal substance exposure (including fetal alcohol syndrome or neonatal abstinence syndrome)?

Is there any mention of sexual abuse?

Is there any specific mention of shaken baby or abusive head trauma?

Is there any mention of prolonged abuse or torture (including restraints, captivity)?

Is there any mention of an unsafe sleeping environment?

Individuals Involved

Was an adoptive parent or guardian involved in the death?

Was a biological father involved in the death?

Was a biological mother involved in the death?

Was a day care worker, babysitter, or nanny involved in the death?

Was a female paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., girlfriend, stepmother)?

Was a foster parent involved in the death?

Was a male paramour or friend involved in the death (e.g., boyfriend, stepfather)?

Connor McKisick was identified as the perpetrator who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. The child, Natalie Kleemeier, has a different last name than Connor McKisick, while the adults are identified as Connor McKisick and Jessica McKisick. The FOX6 article states "All six were members of the same family." The different last name strongly implies that Connor McKisick was a stepfather or male paramour to Natalie, not her biological father. Jessica likely married Connor, taking his name, while the children retained their prior surname (Kleemeier).

Was another adult relative involved in the death? (e.g., grandfather, aunt)

Was a sibling involved in the death?

Child Characteristics

Was the child adopted?

Was the child homeschooled (including "cyberschooling") or taken out of school?

Was the child in foster care at the time of the incident?

Was the child living with relatives at the time of the incident (but not parents)?

Is there any mention of a neurological developmental child disability? (e.g., autism, intellectual disability, nonverbal)

Is there any mention of a physical child disability? (e.g., feeding tube)

Is there any mention of prematurity or low birthweight?

Is there a history of child protection reports prior to death (for this child or siblings)?

Does the child have a history of foster care (but not in care at time of incident)?

Is there a history of a sibling death (separate incident from this death)?

Parent/Caregiver Factors

Was an adult charged or arrested for the child's death?

Is domestic violence by the parent/caregiver referenced?

The murder-suicide committed by Connor McKisick, who fatally shot his family members including children and then himself, constitutes an extreme act of domestic/family violence. The WISN article states the investigation focuses on a murder-suicide with Connor McKisick's wound being self-inflicted, while all other victims died of a single gunshot wound.

Is there any mention that the death occurred in a temporary shelter or while homeless?

Is an intellectual disability of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is the mental health of the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is a history of arrests or criminal charges for the parent/caregiver referenced?

Is substance use by the parent/caregiver referenced?

Notable Details

The WISN article states that an "ignitable liquid" was discovered in an area it wouldn't normally be found, indicating that the perpetrator likely committed arson to destroy evidence or the scene after the shootings. This arson occurred in a four-unit apartment building, endangering other residents. The FOX6 article notes that "The occupants of the other three units in the building made it out OK" and that "15 fire departments and nine police departments responded," underscoring the scale and danger of the incident. Additionally, several guns were found on the property.

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