DAVID AND TERESA PABST FOUND DEAD, SON IDENTIFIED AS SUSPECT IN MURDER-SUICIDE

MIDDLETON, WI — July 10, 2025 — A peaceful neighborhood in the Town of Middleton has been shattered by tragedy after a husband and wife, both 64 years old, were found dead in their home Tuesday afternoon in what authorities are calling a double homicide. The couple, identified as David Pabst and Teresa “Teri” Pabst, were well-respected members of their community — and now, their deaths have left Wisconsin in mourning.

Investigators with the Dane County Sheriff’s Office have confirmed that the prime suspect in their killings was their son, James Pabst, who later died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a confrontation with law enforcement.

Tragedy Unfolds in Town of Middleton

The disturbing sequence of events began around 3:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, when deputies were called to conduct a welfare check at a home on Stonebrook Circle, just off Airport Road. Inside, they discovered the bodies of David and Teri Pabst, each having suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities say the scene showed no signs of forced entry, and evidence quickly pointed to a domestic connection.

The Sheriff’s Office immediately issued a be-on-the-lookout (BOLO) alert for the couple’s son, 25-year-old James Pabst, who was believed to have fled the scene in a white Honda Accord.

Hours later, law enforcement located James on Highway 14 in Vernon County, over 100 miles from the crime scene. After a brief standoff, James was found deceased in the vehicle from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. No law enforcement officers discharged their weapons during the encounter.

 Remembering David and Teri Pabst

David and Teri were not just victims in a tragic incident — they were pillars of their community.

• David Pabst served as the Director of the Bureau of Transportation Safety at the Wisconsin Department of Transportation. He was a driving force behind many of the state’s road safety initiatives and was recognized nationally for his work in preventing impaired and distracted driving.
• Teresa “Teri” Pabst dedicated her life to special education, working with students who had complex learning needs. She taught for years in the Middleton-Cross Plains Area School District, where she was known for her warmth, patience, and deep devotion to her students.

“These were good people — kind, thoughtful, giving,” said a longtime neighbor. “You’d never expect something so horrific to happen to them.”

 Mental Health Concerns and Ongoing Investigation

While the motive behind the killings remains under investigation, sources close to the family suggest that James Pabst had been struggling with mental health issues in recent years. Authorities are working to understand what led to the tragic breakdown that ended in the deaths of both his parents and himself.

“We must remember that behind these headlines are real people — a family now torn apart,” said Sheriff Kalvin Barrett. “Our hearts go out to those who knew and loved David and Teri, and we ask the community to keep them in their prayers.”

Autopsies are underway, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice is overseeing the review of the officer response during the final confrontation with James Pabst.

 A Community in Mourning

Friends, colleagues, and community members have begun to share tributes across social media and in public statements. The Wisconsin DOT called David “a respected leader and beloved colleague,” while educators across the district described Teri as “a beacon of light for generations of students.”

One tribute read:

“There are no words. Teri helped my son when no one else would. She believed in him. She changed his life.”

 What’s Next

As the community seeks answers, the focus has turned to healing — and honoring the lives David and Teri Pabst lived.

Counselors have been made available to staff at the Wisconsin DOT and local school districts, and grief support is being extended to the broader community. A memorial service is expected to be announced in the coming days.

Final Thoughts

The Town of Middleton has been forever changed by this tragic event. As the investigation continues, the memories of David and Teresa Pabst will live on in the lives they touched and the legacies they leave behind. Their deaths serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for compassion, awareness, and resources around mental health.