Newlyweds found dead in car days before first anniversary in Illinois
A Wisconsin couple—married less than a year—were found dead inside a car in Harvard, Illinois, late on October 6. Police say each had a single gunshot wound, a firearm was recovered at the scene, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.
An officer noticed a vehicle stopped with its hazard lights flashing near Route 14 by Burbank/Division Street just before midnight on October 6. Inside were Rachel Noel Dumovich, 29, and Brandon Peter Dumovich, 30, both of Sharon, Wisconsin. The Harvard Police Department opened a death investigation and asked residents to briefly shelter in place; that advisory was later lifted.
The McHenry County Coroner identified both victims and later reported that each died from a gunshot wound to the head. Toxicology is pending. The McHenry County Major Investigation Assistance Team (MIAT) is assisting with forensic work.
Harvard Police Chief Tyson Bauman told Fox News a murder-suicide is one scenario under review, but no final determination has been made and the investigation remains active. A firearm was recovered in the vehicle.
Rachel and Brandon met as middle-school classmates, remained friends for years, and began dating in 2022. Brandon proposed in 2023, and the couple married on October 12, 2024. Friends and relatives described them as inseparable, sharing a love of travel, the outdoors, and time with their two dogs.
Rachel, a University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee graduate who worked in human resources, was remembered in her obituary for her empathy, humor, and love of time by the water. Brandon served as a U.S. Navy petty officer and enjoyed RC flying, boating, snowmobiling, fishing, and hunting.
How to help investigators
Anyone with information can contact the Harvard Police Department at at (815) 943-4431 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers(815) 943-4343,) as the inquiry continues.
What began as a routine welfare check on a car with flashing hazards has left two families and a tight-knit community searching for answers. Investigators will rely on forensic results and community tips to understand the final minutes of a couple whose lives were closely intertwined.
