Tana Poppe Death: The woman discovered deceased in a residence north of La Motte on Wednesday night has been identified by the Dubuque County Sheriff’s Office. Tana Poppe, a 32-year-old individual, was found dead at 9866 Haxbylane Road. Authorities are treating her death as a homicide. This case is connected to a pursuit and fatal standoff that occurred in Dane County, Wisconsin.
Officials in Wisconsin have confirmed that Alexander Grunke, a 37-year-old resident of Middleton, Wisconsin, is the suspect in an armed robbery and home invasion in Albion, Wisconsin. Grunke is considered a ‘person of interest’ in the death of Poppe.
On the night in question, Poppe’s children, a 5-month-old infant and a 13-year-old girl, traveled to Wisconsin with Grunke. The infant was safely dropped off at a residence in Dunn, Wisconsin at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Tragically, the 13-year-old girl was found deceased in a wooded area near the location where Grunke broke into a home in Albion.
According to the Dane County Sheriff’s Office, deputies attempted to stop the vehicle driven by Grunke and the minor girl. However, the vehicle fled, and during the pursuit, a firearm was discharged towards police vehicles.
The suspect’s vehicle eventually encountered stop sticks, causing it to come to a halt. Grunke then fled into a wooded area, where the minor girl was discovered deceased. Subsequently, Grunke broke into a nearby residence occupied by a family and barricaded himself in the basement.
Law enforcement entered the home to safely evacuate the family. Unfortunately, Grunke was found dead in the basement, an apparent victim of suicide. At present, the police have not established the connection between Grunke, the minor girl, and the deceased victim in Iowa.
Dubuque County is collaborating with Dane County in the ongoing investigation.