UW-Platteville deaths being investigated as murder-suicide

The two deaths at the University of Wisconsin-Platteville are being investigated as a murder-suicide, campus officials said. 

University police responded to Wilgus Hall, a student residence hall, Monday afternoon for reports of a disturbance. 

When they arrived, police say Kelsie Martin, 22, had been shot. Martin was transported to Southwest Health and then flown to UW Hospital where she was pronounced dead. 

Hallie Helms, 22, died at the scene.

Based on preliminary autopsy findings, Helms was determined to have died by self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Martin was the Wilgus Hall assistant resident director and a psychology major from Beloit. 

Helms was a Wilgus Hall resident and an elementary education major from Baraboo.

Both women graduated on Saturday. 

UW police say they are investigating the circumstances that led to the deaths. 

They are asking for anybody with any information to contact the UW-Platteville Police Department at 608-342-1584.  

Students were ordered to shelter in place late Monday afternoon after police reported an “emergency situation.”

The order was lifted at about 5 p.m. 

Final exams have been cancelled for the rest of the week on both the Platteville and Baraboo campuses.

UW-Platteville is located in Grant County. It has a total enrollment of about 6,391 students.

If you or someone you know is considering suicide, call or text the three-digit suicide and crisis lifeline at 988. Resources are available online here.