The quiet rural community of Hersey, Wisconsin, was shaken by a tragic murder-suicide that claimed the lives of 58-year-old Martha M. Woltman and 65-year-old Paul P. Hellem, leaving a family and community grappling with profound loss. Woltman, a dedicated part-time nurse for the Minnesota Department of Corrections, was described by St. Croix County Sheriff Scott Knox as a compassionate woman who devoted her life to caring for others. Her untimely death at the hands of Hellem, a man with a documented history of abusing her, has cast a somber shadow over those who knew her, amplifying the grief of her loved ones.
The incident unfolded on a property in the 700 block of 292nd Avenue in Springfield Township, an unincorporated area roughly 30 miles east of Hudson. On Monday evening, around 9 p.m., deputies from the St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office responded to a welfare check initiated by Woltman’s daughter, who grew alarmed after failing to reach her mother by phone or text. Upon arriving at the property, which was owned by a relative of Woltman and used to house her goats, authorities discovered the bodies of Woltman and Hellem. Each had sustained a single gunshot wound from a 9-mm handgun. The investigation determined that Woltman’s death was a homicide, while Hellem’s was ruled a suicide. Sheriff Knox noted that there were no visible signs of a struggle, suggesting the act was deliberate and swift.
Investigators believe the shooting occurred sometime between Sunday and Monday. The last known contact with Woltman was a text message she sent to a friend shortly after 2 p.m. on Sunday, offering no indication of the tragedy that would soon unfold. Hellem, whose last known address was in Grand Marais, Minnesota, was reportedly staying in a camper on the property. The isolated setting, with no permanent structures, added to the starkness of the scene where this violent act took place.
Court records reveal a troubling history between Woltman and Hellem. In 2023, Hellem was placed on probation in Stillwater, Minnesota, for abusing Woltman, pointing to a pattern of violence that culminated in this devastating event. The relationship between the two was known to family members, who informed deputies of their connection during the welfare check. Sheriff Knox described Hellem’s actions as those of a “monster,” emphasizing the profound impact of the loss on Woltman’s family and community. “This was a person who brought kindness and care to those around her,” Knox said, underscoring the senselessness of the act and the deep sorrow it has caused.
Woltman’s work as a nurse reflected her commitment to helping others, a quality that endeared her to colleagues and patients alike. Her role with the Minnesota Department of Corrections required both skill and empathy, traits that defined her professional and personal life. Those who knew her spoke of her warmth and dedication, making her death all the more jarring for a community unaccustomed to such violence.
The St. Croix County Sheriff’s Office has stated that there is no ongoing threat to the public, as the firearm believed to have been used was recovered at the scene. The investigation continues, with authorities seeking to piece together the events leading up to the tragedy. For now, the focus remains on supporting Woltman’s family, who are left to navigate the aftermath of this heartbreaking loss. Sheriff Knox extended his condolences, acknowledging the widespread grief felt by all those touched by Woltman’s life and the trauma inflicted by Hellem’s actions. As Hersey mourns, the memory of Woltman’s kindness endures, a stark contrast to the violence that ended her life.
