Crime
Murder-Suicide at UW-Platteville: Two Students Dead in Targeted, Isolated Campus Incident
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. — Two University of Wisconsin–Platteville students have died following a tragic incident on campus Monday, university officials confirmed.
In an email to the campus community, Chancellor Dr. Tammy Evetovich identified the students as 22-year-old Kelsie Martin of Beloit, Wisconsin, and 22-year-old Hallie Helms of Baraboo, Wisconsin.
“It is with deep sadness that we mourn the loss of two UW-Platteville students, Kelsie Martin and Hallie Helms.
This incident was a targeted and isolated event between the two individuals. Families of the students have been notified,” Chancellor Evetovich stated.
The incident occurred inside Wilgus Hall, a campus residence facility.
UW-Platteville and local law enforcement have not yet released further details about the nature of the incident, but authorities have confirmed that it remains an active and ongoing investigation.
Officials have emphasized that there is no continuing threat to the campus community.
According to a post on Wilgus Hall’s official Facebook page, Kelsie Martin had graduated just two days prior and served as a resident director in 2024.
In response to the tragedy, the university has made mental health resources available for students and staff. UW-Platteville’s Counseling Services will offer triage counseling sessions Tuesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Additionally, a toll-free emotional support line is available at 844-602-6680 or 720-272-0004, staffed by licensed mental health professionals. The hotline will remain open overnight and will adjust its hours based on campus needs.
The university community continues to grieve as it seeks answers surrounding this devastating loss.
Crime
Noemi Hernandez, Mother of Four Murdered By Her Husband Hector Luvianos Two Days Before Christmas
BATAVIA, Ill. — A devastating domestic homicide has left a family and community in mourning just days before Christmas.
Noemi Hernandez, a devoted mother of four, was fatally attacked in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Dec. 23, in what prosecutors allege was a violent act committed by her husband.
The incident occurred at an apartment building in the 100 block of Church Street in Batavia.
According to court records and police reports, at approximately 4:37 a.m., Batavia police were dispatched after a man contacted emergency dispatchers and stated that he had killed his wife.
Responding officers located the man outside the apartment building and took him into custody without incident.
When officers entered the apartment, they found Hernandez suffering from severe, life-threatening injuries.
First responders immediately attempted life-saving measures; however, she was pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the suspect as Hector B. Luvianos, 37, who was transported to the Batavia Police Department for questioning.
With assistance from the Kane County Major Crimes Task Force, investigators determined the incident was domestic-related and involved only the two individuals. Police emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public.
On Dec. 24, 2025, Kane County State’s Attorney Jamie L. Mosser and Batavia Police Chief Eric Blowers announced that Luvianos has been formally charged with first-degree murder, a Class M felony under Illinois law.
He appeared in court the same day for a pretrial detention hearing, after which a judge ordered him held in the Kane County Jail while the case proceeds.
The Kane County Coroner’s Office responded to the scene, and an autopsy is scheduled to determine the official cause and manner of Hernandez’s death.
In the wake of the tragedy, Hernandez’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign to help cover funeral and related expenses.
In the fundraiser, the family described Noemi as “the heart of her family,” noting that she worked tirelessly, loved deeply, and always placed her children first. Her sudden death, they wrote, has left the family emotionally devastated and financially unprepared.
As an immigrant family with limited resources and no life insurance, they now face the burden of funeral and cremation costs, legal fees, and other unexpected expenses, all while supporting four children grieving the loss of their mother.
The family is asking for community support to allow them to lay Noemi to rest with dignity and focus on healing rather than financial hardship.
The investigation remains ongoing.