CHETEK, Wis. (WJMC) — Court documents and police records show some insight into the relationship a couple had before Sunday’s fatal stabbings.
Police say they had been called to the couple’s home on the east side of Pokegama Lake once before.
On September 16, Michelle Turnipseed called 911 from a neighbor’s house, alleging her husband, Michael Turnipseed, was intoxicated and verbally abusive. She told police he had lost several jobs and was drinking.
She said, a month prior on August 3, Michael said she was going to leave him and then threatened her with a .22 caliber rifle. She tried to run and get help, but was pulled back into the residence, and was again threatened by Michael with the gun. She eventually got him to put the gun down and she escaped to a neighbor’s residence for help.
Michelle told police that since the August incident, Michael was living in the basement, but had been breaking that arrangement. She said their son had removed guns from the house or locked the guns in a safe with a new combination.
For the August incident, Michael Turnipseed faced misdemeanor charges of aiming a firearm at a person and disorderly conduct, both with domestic abuse modifiers. Bond conditions banned Michael of any abusive contact with Michelle, banned alcohol consumption and the possession of firearms.
Michelle had filed for a divorce from her husband.